Revitalising the Aquaculture Sector in Kyrgyzstan
.jpg)
Following the fall of the Soviet Union, aquaculture production across Central Asia has dramatically declined and many operational fish farms have been abandoned. Existing pond farms and new production facilities in the Kyrgyz Republic are promising, yet a lack of technical expertise and support industries limits the potential growth of the aquaculture sector. Fish farmers rely on costly imported or poor quality feeds and, as a result, suffer from low production rates and economic returns. This project aimed to revitalise the aquaculture sector by promoting the manufacture and use of high quality, cost-effective and safe aquafeeds. The objective was to support fish farmers and fish farming communities to sustainably develop and optimise on-farm feed management practices, thereby enhancing the economic performance of the aquaculture sector.
What did the project do
By engaging famers, the private sector and public institutions in building capacity in aquafeed manufacturing and improving feed management, the project improved the quality, supply chain and use of farm-made and semi-commercial aquafeeds. A small-scale feed manufacturing plant was procured and a new feed mill has been commissioned for late 2017. Training and research activities were carried out to enhance the knowledge, understanding and dissemination of international best practices and improvements to policy and regulatory frameworks for aquafeed manufacturing were developed and promoted. Small-scale manufacturers were provided with new technologies to improve the quality of feeds available to farmers and new management strategies were developed to support on-farm feeding and feed management. Fish farmers, aquafeed manufacturers and representatives from government agencies were trained on better management practices and improved feed formulations using local available resources.Impact
As a result of the project, the aquaculture sector is more economically viable and environmentally sustainable, helping to increase levels of employment, generate income and wealth creation in rural areas and provide consumers with better access to quality fish products. Government agencies have improved their technical knowledge and policy and regulatory frameworks have been enhanced. The project raised the economic performance of farming operations, stimulated growth in the aquaculture sector and helped farmers access better quality feed inputs. Fish farmers also benefited from enhanced production and economic efficiencies, as well as increased new training opportunities and access to international fishery networks and best practices and standards.Activities
- Pilot-scale pelletizer/extruder for demonstration and training activities established.
- Aquafeed supply chain improved. Better Management Practices (BMPs) for feed manufacturers and feed management strategies developed.
- Aquafeed value chain analysis carried out and on-farm feed management strategies optimized.
- Information dissemination network for farm-made and small-scale livestock and aquafeed manufacturers established and translated into Russian.
- Institutional, policy and regulatory frameworks reviewed and recommendations made.