Supporting investments in smallholders inclusive agrifood value chain development in Kazakhstan

April 2020 – June 2024

Objective: Support to commercialization of rural households and smallholder farms in Kazakhstan
Beneficiary: Republic of Kazakhstan

Launched in 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project addressed pressing needs that emerged from the global health crisis. The focus of the activities was on supporting rural and community development and related policies. Regarding the latter, the project has contributed to more effective institutions in Kazakhstan through capacity development activities for actors, authorities, and policy makers at national and local level.

Specifically, the project has helped develop mechanisms for participatory community development in two project pilot sites (including five villages in western Kazakhstan and three in the proximity of Almaty), strengthened the capacities of relevant national actors in the field of agriculture and rural development with focus on integrated local rural development, agricultural cooperative development, extension service, gender and social inclusion, food safety and rural invest through delivering training sessions as well as a study tour. 

Additionally, based on the experiences gathered through field activities as well as through comprehensive desk research on existing agriculture and rural development policies, policy recommendations have been provided to improve the rural development policy and programme and investment at national level.

Finally, through the delivery of small-scale equipment to the local beneficiaries in the two pilot communities (including schools and farms), the Hungarian-funded FAO project enhanced economic growth and quality of life, as well as a better livelihood.

Expert assistance for lumpy skin disease prevention and control in the Western Balkans

November 2016 – August 2017

Objective: Improved prevention and control of lumpy skin disease in the Western Balkan region 
Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo¹, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia

Since 2015, outbreaks of a viral infectious disease in cattle known as lumpy skin disease (LSD) were reported in the Western Balkans with high risk of spreading into unaffected countries. The impact at local and national level are devastating, as the presence of the disease comes with strict trade restrictions.

The Hungarian-funded project has helped improve the prevention and control of lumpy skin disease in the Western Balkans by strengthening veterinary services’ knowledge and collaboration. 

Considering the cross-boundary nature of the disease, the project used a regional approach. First, FAO organized a regional workshop for representatives from veterinary services of 12 Members and the beef and dairy cattle associations. The workshop enabled participants to share experiences, deepen their knowledge on the different tools and strategies, and discuss the most challenging issues through interactive thematic sessions moderated by experts. 

Further on, a field manual on the detection and diagnosis of the lumpy skin disease was developed for field veterinarians, paraprofessionals, and laboratory diagnosticians to better prepare veterinary services in the Western Balkans, and beyond.

Support to the preparation for community based rural development planning and implementation of a pilot project in the Livno area (Canton 10)

September 2016 – May 2019

Objective: Enhanced capacity in community based rural development planning of entity and state level ministry staff, as well as piloting community based rural development planning in Livno area 
Beneficiary: Bosnia and Herzegovina

The main objective of the Hungarian-funded project was to build and develop capacities for community-led local development principles and practices at entity, cantonal and municipality and community levels, and thus to bridge the gap among the different administrative levels of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to ensure informed policy design at country level. In the long term, it is expected that the project will have an impact on the livelihoods of the rural population in the whole country, by shaping rural development policy.

The main activities of the project included the preparation of two local rural development plans for Livno and Bosansko Grahovo, including natural resources management, agriculture, and rural tourism, through a participatory approach.

The initiative also focused on the development of the food processing–tourism value chain to improve income diversification and the livelihoods of rural populations. Training workshops on different topics, including good hygiene practice, with a specific focus on the production of artisanal cheese and dairy products, as well as animal health, and environmental sustainability were conducted for farmers. 

The Strategy for agriculture and rural development in Canton 10 for the period of 2019–2025 was prepared with the full involvement of the local rural development working group, which was established after the project launch. A feasibility study on sustainable rural tourism development in Canton 10 was also formulated in English. In addition, several training courses were delivered to local actors and local administration on rural tourism.

Increasing small scale farmers’ resilience to drought by adopting best irrigation practices and modern irrigation technologies

November 2014 – October 2018

Objective: Developing small-scale on-farm irrigation technologies
Beneficiary: Republic of Moldova

Technical assistance provided within the framework of the project increased farmers’ resilience to drought, mostly in drought-prone areas, by introducing and adopting best irrigation practices and modern irrigation technologies, and by enhancing awareness and farmers’ knowledge on mitigation and adaptation practices. The project targeted farmers in the central and southern parts of the country, where high-value crops are grown, which can pay for the investment required to rehabilitate dilapidated systems and improve the efficiency of energy and water use. Priority was also given to the existing Water Users Associations, particularly those created for the rehabilitation of centralized irrigation systems, and to small-scale farmers, especially women. 

Ten demonstration plots were established for different types of crops and irrigation systems; and different types of irrigation equipment were procured, based on the individual technical requirements of each demo site. As a result of the irrigation equipment provided, beneficiary farmers experienced various positive impacts, such as an increase in crop yields, improved crop quality, and better prices. In some of the farms, the equipment led to decreased costs for energy and water.

The awareness and capacity of farmers, as well as local specialists, were raised and strengthened through Farmers Field Schools and public awareness campaigns, comprising different media sources, training activities and publications.