Kyrgyzstan Pursues Major Agricultural Projects with EU and EBRD Support

Kyrgyzstan is advancing significant projects in its water resources, agriculture, and processing industry, backed by substantial funding from the European Union (EU) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). These initiatives aim to modernize the nation's agricultural infrastructure and practices.

Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, Erlist Akunbekov, met with the EU Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Rémi Duflot, to discuss bilateral cooperation. Key topics included the modernization of irrigation and water management infrastructure, the implementation of water-saving technologies and digital solutions in agriculture, and the promotion of organic and climate-resilient farming methods.

Currently, several large-scale projects are underway with financial backing from the EU, EBRD, and other European financial institutions. These projects are collectively valued at over 86 million euros and are dedicated to upgrading the country's water management systems. The collaboration also seeks to enhance the quality of Kyrgyz agricultural products, strengthen laboratory infrastructure, adopt international standards, and boost the competitiveness of local producers.

Furthermore, the discussions explored avenues for increasing the access of Kyrgyz agricultural products to the European Union's market. Both sides emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to ensure that Kyrgyz produce meets global quality and safety standards, thereby improving its standing in international trade.