Bishkek – On 26-29 November 2018, a training course on food security and nutrition was held for the first time for representatives of ministries and agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic in charge of sustainable development. The training program “Improvement of national system of food security of the Kyrgyz Republic” was developed by experts of the Eurasian Center for Food Security of MSU. M. V. Lomonosov on request of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Industry and Melioration of the Kyrgyz Republic and with the technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

The 4-day intensive training included an overview of the concept of food security, analysis of the current state of and trends in food security in the world, Eurasia and in Kyrgyzstan particularly. Participants explored various approaches to managing the most important aspects of food security, risks to food security and possibilities of their prevention.

"Achieving sustainable food security is one of the most important priorities of the national development program" Trust. Unity. Creation”, - said Erkinbek Choduev, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food Industry and Melioration of the KR. " Its effective and timely implementation largely depends on our professional competencies, which is why we intend to constantly increase our potential and develop professional approaches, including through specialized training programs.”

During the training session, participants studied approaches to solving such strategic tasks as ensuring the availability of food in the country through the development of agriculture and regulation of import and export of food products. In addition, participants explored opportunities for economic access to food, especially for vulnerable populations, and food quality, diversity and safety.

The participants of the programme also explored opportunities and tools for monitoring and assessing food security at the national and regional level for integrated food security analysis and forecasting its dynamics in order to develop appropriate strategies.

"FAO and WFP are ready to provide the necessary support to strengthen the capacity of state institutions at central and local levels for comprehensive management of food security and the development of coherent cross-sectoral policies and programs”, - noted Dorjee Kinlay, FAO Representative, and Andrea Bagnoli, WFP Country Director. "This training program will strengthen management capacity and deepen a comprehensive understanding of food security and nutrition issues in the country and its development priorities."

Reference: The training programme was developed and implemented with the financial support of the Russian Federation in the framework of the FAO project "Developing Capacity for Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Selected Countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia", and technical support from the FAO/EU FIRST Programme.