The United States Government (USG), through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in close cooperation with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (GOK) handed over agricultural equipment to 14 seed farms from throughout the Kyrgyz Republic as part of the Economic Development Fund Program. The $7.4 million in assistance is aimed to develop a sustainable seed industry in the country. The participating seed farms will help to ensure that the domestic market’s needs for high quality seed are met while also expanding opportunities for export to regional and international markets.

On February 28, 2013 at 14:00 a ceremony was organized to officially hand over this equipment, interested media were invited to attend. The Prime Minister Mr. Jantoro Satybaldiev, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Chyngysbek Uzakbaev, U.S. Ambassador Ms. Pamela Spratlen and USAID Country Representative Carey Gordon were expected to attend the ceremony. All of the newly acquired agricultural equipment was also displayed at the event, which was held at the warehouse of the Atalyk Group in Novopokrovka village, 250 Lenin St. 

Under the program, 94 pieces of agricultural machinery, including tractors, combine harvesters, ploughs and seed cleaners were delivered to seed farms throughout the Kyrgyz Republic. The program was jointly designed by the U.S. Government and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and will be jointly implemented by USAID and the Ministry of Agriculture.

In addition to the event in Bishkek, on February 27, 2013 at 10:00 equipment was handed over to southern seed farms at the Central Square in Osh.

This program is one of many assistance projects supported by the American people through USAID.  For more information about USAID programs, please visit our web site at: http://centralasia.usaid.gov/kyrgyzstan .