On December 18, 2009, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Eurasia Group LLC Switzerland signed an MoU aimed at strengthening the public-private sector partnership through a Global Development Alliance (GDA). The goal is to increase agricultural productivity specifically for edible oil and corn to enhance food security in Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz Agro-Input Enterprise Development II (KAED II) project and Eurasia Group – Kyrgyzstan will implement the Alliance.
Participants of the GDA will share their strengths, experiences, technologies, methodology and resources to break the low input-low output cycle by boosting yields for corn and sunflower and generating higher incomes for Kyrgyz farmers.
It is estimated that by the end of 2010 an additional 8,000 metric tons (mt) of corn for livestock fodder and 480 mt of processed edible sunflower oil will be added to Kyrgyzstan’s food balance at a reduced cost to the consumer. This will narrow the supply gap for both commodities, but more importantly, the GDA will set the stage for significant foreign and domestic investment by the private sector in Kyrgyz agriculture.
The projected investment by USAID under the GDA amounts to US $400,000. The Eurasia Group will invest about $550,000 on high-quality hybrid corn and sunflower seed, modern agricultural machinery, crop protection products and qualified expertise. Implementation of the initiative by KAED II and Eurasia Group will lead to the production of high-quality seed by Kyrgyz seed producers, a significant achievement in the development of the Kyrgyz agricultural sector.
Photo Caption:
Left to right, USAID's representative to Kyrgyzstan, Pat Shapiro, shakes hands with Omer Doganci, director general for Eurasia Group - Kyrgyzstan, after signing an MoU aimed at strengthening the public-private sector partnership through a Global Development Alliance.