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 FAO in conjunction with the Department of Processing Industry and Organic Agriculture.
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.
The festival was timed to coincide with the celebration of World Food Day and the 80th anniversary of FAO's founding.
