Harvest celebrated in the heart of Talas: festival in Kopuro-Bazar dedicated to World Food Day and FAO's 80th Anniversary
Talas region – On 9 September, the vibrant and large-scale organic harvest festival “Shirge Zhiar” (Rich Harvest) took place in the village of Kopuro-Bazar, Talas Region. The event was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in conjunction with the Department of Processing Industry and Organic Agriculture and the Federation of Organic Movement “BIO-KG” as part of the FAO project “Strengthening the Capacity of Public and Private Sectors in Regulating, Certifying, and Marketing Organic Products.”
Within this project, FAO, in collaboration with Kyrgyzstan, is working to establish certification systems, as well as legislative and institutional frameworks for the development of organic agriculture. Training is being conducted for representatives of government agencies, certification organizations, and farmers themselves.
“Organic production is one of the modern global trends gaining momentum worldwide,” said Oleg Guchgeldiyev, FAO Representative in Kyrgyzstan, in his welcoming speech during the festival's opening ceremony. “Over three and a half million farmers around the world today successfully practice organic farming methods. Sales of organic food are growing faster than conventional ones.”
The festival featured participation from over 30 farms and companies from Talas, Jalal-Abad, and Issyk-Kul regions. All of them specialize in producing organic products and supply them not only to the Kyrgyz market but also to China, Europe, the Middle East, and the USA. Guests of the festival could sample and purchase a variety of organic products, as well as see how the “organic aimak” model works through examples from local households.
A special atmosphere was added to the festival by a historical reenactment of a trade caravan, recreating the traditions of the Great Silk Road. Guests were able to immerse themselves in the ambiance of medieval trade routes, see authentic costumes and everyday objects, and learn about the region's cultural heritage. In ancient times, trade routes passed through the territory of modern Talas Region, connecting the West with China and Central Asia.
The reenactment of the trade caravan became a symbol of generational continuity and the preservation of traditional farming methods. The organizers noted that such a combination of historical traditions and modern agricultural achievements highlights the uniqueness of the region and its potential for developing organic farming.
It is important to emphasize that the event was not just a harvest celebration but also an effective platform for professional communication, experience exchange, and showcasing the achievements of local producers. Participants had the opportunity to present their developments, discuss current issues in organic farming, and establish new business contacts.
“We are proud that our Talas beans have gained recognition in European markets,” said Akylbek Zhakshylykov, head of the “Beren” cooperative, which specializes in bean cultivation. “Thanks to adhering to organic standards, we can guarantee the highest quality of our products. This opens up new opportunities and helps local farmers reach the international level.”
The choice of location for the festival was not accidental. Farmers from Kopuro-Bazar and the neighboring village of Taldy-Bulak were among the first in Kyrgyzstan to successfully implement the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) on their farms in accordance with the standards of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).
PGS is a self-managed, transparent, and trust-based mechanism where farmers independently monitor each other's production processes, confirming compliance with organic standards.
The festival was timed to coincide with the celebration of World Food Day and the 80th anniversary of FAO's founding. This year, the slogan for World Food Day is “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” The holiday aims to draw attention to the importance of cooperation in building a peaceful and sustainable future where prosperity and food security are ensured.
According to participants and guests, the festival served as vivid proof that the future of agriculture is inextricably linked to the production of environmentally friendly, safe, and natural products. Experts noted the high level of organization and the significance of the event for the development of organic farming in the country.
The experience of farmers from Kopuro-Bazar deserves special attention. Scaling up their successful models will be an important step toward strengthening Kyrgyzstan's position in the international organic market and developing environmentally responsible agriculture.
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