Field Day: Showcasing Zero Tillage Technology for Sustainable Rainfed Wheat Production

On May 27, 2025, a Field Day was held in Studencheskoe village, Sokuluk district, Chuy region, organized under the GIZ programme “Green Economy and Sustainable Private Sector Development in the Kyrgyz Republic (GESPSD)”. The event focused on demonstrating zero-tillage (No-Till) technology in rainfed wheat production and its potential benefits for climate-resilient agriculture.

The field visit gathered high-level representatives from the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry (MWRAPI), Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the EU Delegation, Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), the German Embassy, KfW, FCDO, World Food Programme (WFP), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), FAO, the Kyrgyz Millers’ Association, selected Rural Advisory Services, banks, micro-credit agencies, and representatives of GIZ ILUCA, GESPSD, and the Value Chain Agro Finance project.

The Value Chain Agro Finance team actively participated in the event. The project supports farmers in adopting sustainable practices and promotes the development of value chains in agriculture, particularly through improved seed systems and climate-smart technologies.

Participants visited a demonstration plot managed under zero-tillage, where experts from GOPA-AFC, Machine-Tractor Stations (MTS), and advisory services presented key benefits of No-Till farming. These include reduced soil erosion, improved moisture retention, lower input costs, and enhanced soil fertility – all critical under the changing climate conditions.

The agenda included welcome remarks from the Ministry of Agriculture and GIZ, a presentation on No-Till technology, followed by a Q&A session and informal discussions in the field.

This Field Day served as a valuable platform to showcase practical applications, foster dialogue among stakeholders, and build momentum for scaling up zero-tillage technology across Kyrgyzstan’s agricultural sector.