Field Day in Sokuluk: Farmers Learned Sweet Pepper Cultivation Technologies

On August 1, 2025, a field day on “Demonstration of Hybrid and Sweet Pepper Varieties Cultivation Technology” was held at the demonstration plot of farmer Ravshan Jooshev in Nizhnee Chuyskoye village, Sokuluk district, Chuy region. The event, organized under the Sweet Pepper CDS, brought together 50 participants, including farmers, specialists from the District Department of Agricultural Development (DUAD), experts from the bioplant at the Department of Chemization, Quarantine and Plant Protection of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Kyrgyz Republic, and representatives of seed and agricultural input companies such as AgroVito and Agrimatka.

The event was opened by Maksat Kozhomkulov, Director of the TES-Center’s Bishkek branch, who emphasized the importance of knowledge exchange and introducing innovative solutions in vegetable farming. Akat Bayaliev, representative of the Sokuluk DUAD, spoke about ongoing and upcoming projects in the district: construction of a 4-hectare agrologistics center with cold storage for farmers’ produce, support for cooperatives through 5-year land lease opportunities, and development of an irrigation system covering 200 hectares with drip irrigation and partial cost compensation. Elvira Subanova, representing the AFC project, highlighted the project’s contribution to supporting sweet pepper farmers and developing the local agricultural sector.

Agronomist Abdilkhamid Mamashukurov from the TES-Center presented innovations in sweet pepper cultivation, including switching from broadcast seeding to row planting, the importance of seedling pricking, application of phosphate fertilizers and ammonium sulfate, timing of transplanting, and pest management methods.

Participants observed pepper samples grown on the demonstration plots, weighing fruits and assessing their characteristics. The PALET+ hybrid received the highest rating, with an average fruit weight of 493 g, thick walls for better transport, and affordable seed cost. Other hybrid results were: Attilius — 449 g, Numbernoy — 439 g, Bugatti — 344 g, Magretta — 463 g.

In the economic session, Maksat Kozhomkulov presented comparative data on the profitability of different sweet pepper hybrids, allowing farmers to review production costs, profitability, and investment requirements. Experts from the Department of Organic Agriculture demonstrated beneficial entomophages and biofungicides, explaining production methods and application rates. Company representatives presented seeds and fertilizers, explaining product effectiveness against pests and diseases.

During the field day, key aspects of sweet pepper cultivation were discussed, including hybrid selection, planting schemes, irrigation methods, and plant protection systems. Special attention was given to integrated pest management combining biological and chemical approaches to minimize losses from pests and diseases.

The field day provided a practical platform for knowledge exchange, helping farmers improve their cultivation practices and contributing to the development of competitive vegetable farming in Chuy region.