From May 5 to 6, 2025, key events were held in Chon-Alay district, Osh region, under the Value Chain Agro Finance project:

1. Visit of an international seed potato expert

2. Training session for farmers

3. Demonstration planting of Super-super elite category seed potatoes

On May 5, Simon Schutter, an expert from the Netherlands, visited the district. A meeting took place with the district administration to discuss current and planned project activities. The administration expressed readiness to fully support the initiative.

The project team and the expert then visited a local potato storage facility. Simon Schutter inspected the storage, evaluated the condition of the elite seeds, and provided recommendations to improve storage conditions.

On the same day, a theoretical training was conducted for farmers on planting technology and virus prevention during seed storage. Participants actively engaged and noted the practical value of the information received.

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On May 6, a demonstration planting of the “Colombo” variety (Super-super elite category) took place on the field of local farmer Aftandil Abraimov. The expert monitored the planting process and advised participants on the technology.

After the demonstration, a discussion was held with farmers and cooperative members, where the expert shared recommendations for growing elite seed potatoes in the mountainous conditions of the region.

📌 For the first time in Kyrgyzstan, a demonstration planting of Super-super elite category seed potatoes was carried out. This important event marks a significant step forward in the development of local seed production and can serve as a model for other regions in Central Asia.

From May 2 to 7, 2025, a field visit was organized in At-Bashy district of Naryn region and Chong-Alay district of Osh region under the “Value Chain Agro Finance” project. The visit aimed to monitor the implementation of the seed potato production system and gather feedback from farmers and field inspectors.

The monitoring was conducted by Hamid Mamashukurov, national coordinator of the KG-FRAS platform, and Simon Schütter, an international expert in agricultural advisory system development. They visited farmers’ fields, held individual interviews with inspectors and farmers, and collected opinions on the current progress of the project.

Objectives of the monitoring:

• Assess the level of knowledge application from trainings;

• Identify obstacles faced by inspectors and farmers in their work;

• Collect suggestions for improving the work;

• Determine technical and organizational needs.

Key findings:
📌 Participant readiness:
Farmers and inspectors gave positive feedback on the quality of the 2024 trainings. All participants attended modules 3 to 5. Knowledge levels were higher in Chong-Alay, while At-Bashy participants expressed a need for additional training.

📌 Equipment shortages:
Inspectors reported a lack of essential field tools (e.g., soil moisture and pH meters), which hinders accurate seed quality assessment.

📌 Paper reporting:
Filling out paper reports takes a lot of time. Introducing electronic forms was suggested to simplify data collection.

📌 Information gaps:
Some farmers do not fully understand inspection purposes and seed certification requirements. Increased information and awareness efforts are needed.

📌 Inspector certification:
There is currently no official certification process for inspectors, which reduces trust and raises legal concerns.

📌 Experience exchange:
Participants expressed interest in organizing interregional experience exchange meetings.

Conclusion:
The field visit highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the seed system initiative. The “Value Chain Agro Finance” project will continue improving the process through digitalization, institutional development, and additional training.

On April 21, 2025, a training session on the agronomy of seed potato cultivation was conducted. The training focused on the Value Chain Agro Finance scheme related to seed potatoes.

The training was held by the project experts under the partnership with the TES Centre consulting company.

The session was held following a pre-developed plan and program. Participants received detailed information about super-elite seed potatoes, their characteristics, and cultivation requirements, as well as about seed potato material in general. The training covered various types of seed production in Kyrgyzstan, with special emphasis on reproductive seed production.

A key innovation introduced during this training was the initiation of elite seed production within the project framework, involving the cultivation of super-super-elite and super-elite seed potatoes. The trainer presented the project’s goals, objectives, and expected outcomes. Participants responded positively to the information shared.

Special attention was given to crop rotation, as it is a crucial factor in improving seed quality, maintaining and enhancing soil fertility, and facilitating pest and disease control on seed fields. Calculations for the required area to multiply super-super-elite seeds on a 1-hectare plot for producing second reproduction with crop rotation on 72 hectares were developed. The final area requirement sparked discussion among participants. Despite relatively large land shares in the Chong-Alay district, the cooperative faces the challenge of ensuring sufficient land for crop rotation.

The training also reviewed last year’s recommendations from Dutch experts, which included:

• Pre-sprouting seeds before planting

• Reducing planting depth

• Using drip irrigation systems

• Applying phosphite to protect against diseases

• Soil disinfection

Based on these recommendations, demonstration trials were planned to test the following technologies:

• Use of diammonium phosphate fertilizer

• Reducing planting depth

• Foliar feeding

• Use of new herbicides

Results:

• Participants gained valuable knowledge about the project and seed potato cultivation techniques, which they can apply in their own practices.

• It was decided to conduct experiments testing the recommended technologies from Dutch experts.

• A fertilizer application system was developed.

• A technological map for growing super-super-elite seeds was created.

• Farmers received answers to common challenges faced during seed potato cultivation.

• Plans were made to conduct soil laboratory analysis.

This training was conducted as part of the project “Value Chain Agro Finance.”

10 employees of Alaiku Organics LLC participated in a training on Food Safety Management System ISO 22000:2018 on April 10-11, 2025. This training was organized with the support of the Value Chain Agro Finance project and aimed at increasing employees’ knowledge of food safety and quality requirements.

The main goal of the training was to raise awareness among employees about the requirements of the ISO 22000:2018 standard and the importance of implementing these requirements in the company’s processes. It also focused on ensuring full employee involvement in the implementation of the standard’s requirements.

During the training, participants were introduced to the key principles and requirements of the ISO 22000:2018 standard and its practical applications. Additionally, the ISO/TS 22002-1:2009 technical specifications were covered, and detailed explanations were provided regarding the system’s various aspects.

The training used interactive and theoretical-practical methods. Employees had the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge through practical activities and share their insights on how to implement the ISO 22000:2018 standard in the company.

The training was made possible with the support of the Value Chain Agro Finance project. This project aims to support agro-businesses in implementing standards and improving the quality of their operations.

Alaiku Organics LLC plans to continue its efforts towards certification in line with ISO 22000:2018 and to fully implement the standard in order to ensure the quality and safety of its products.

This training is an important step for companies in the agro-industry to align their operations with international standards. Alaiku Organics LLC has already undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at improving quality, and this training is a continuation of those efforts.

On January 26, Sherzod Abdurakhmanov, Capacity Building and Training Expert for the Value Chain Agro Finance project, participated in a training session organized by the Kyrgyzstan Berry Growers Association. The key topics of the meeting were product quality, innovation, and export.

The training brought together farmers, professional agronomists, processors, and exporters.

In the first part of the session, exporters shared their experiences from 2024 and discussed the challenges they faced. As a result of the discussion, the participants managed to discover solutions and effective measures to the problems concerning the quality of berries harvesting and conservation.

Sherzod Abdurakhmanov emphasized the importance of proper post-harvest handling:
“Quality starts at the field level. By implementing best practices in harvesting and storage, farmers can significantly reduce losses and increase the competitiveness of their products in export markets.”

Following the discussion, agronomists conducted a training session, presenting innovative strawberry cultivation techniques aimed at improving both yield and quality.

One of the participating farmers shared their perspective:
“This training gave us practical solutions for improving our harvest. We now understand how small changes in handling can make a big difference in quality and shelf life.”

Such meetings play a crucial role in strengthening the sector and expanding export opportunities.