About AAK
The Association of Agribusinessmen of Kyrgyzstan, known locally as “Jer Azygy,” is a non-profit organization established in 2002 with the support and assistance of IFDC’s Kyrgyz Agro-Input Enterprise Development Project (KAED). The AAK integrates, represents and coordinates the work of more than 140 producers, suppliers and agro-input dealers in the Kyrgyz Republic. The association has made successful strides in three main areas: protection of rights and interests, networking and training.
Our Mission:
To promote the development of legal business and networking among producers, suppliers and agro-input dealers and to protect the rights and interests of AAK members.
The AAK, or “Jer Azygy”, promotes the supply of high-yielding seeds, fertilizers, crop protecting products and other agro-inputs essential to the agricultural sector in the region. The association also provides farmers with training and information on advanced agricultural techniques that help to increase agricultural production and improve the quality of life among rural citizens.
Our Achievements:
The AAK has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kyrgyzstan’s Parliamentary Agricultural Committee for public-private sector cooperation on policy and regulatory reforms.
- KAED assisted the AAK, through economic analysis, in initiating the removal of a 20 percent value-added tax on agricultural inputs, providing significant positive impact on agricultural production.
- The KAED Project, through the AAK, has reached more than 330,000 farmers who were receptive to new technologies and willing and able to become commercial farmers.
- In 2009, fertilizer imports through the private sector increased by 27 percent despite record high world market prices.
- The AAK dealer network offers quality inputs to each of the 35 farm stores that serve an average customer base of 2,700 farmers. As a result, the distance traveled by farmers to buy quality inputs in 2008 was reduced to 2.5 miles for AAK customers. Other farmers were required to travel 7 miles to obtain inputs.
- The AAK has conducted six international agricultural exhibitions, known as the AgroExpo “Silk Way,” with technical and financial assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development as a component of the KAED Project.
These combined efforts, among others as the association continues to grow, will have long-term sustainable impact on agricultural productivity and food security issues facing the country.