Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry is calling on both local farmers and Kyrgyz citizens living abroad to return and help revitalize the country’s underused, low-yield farmland.
The ministry reports that there are currently 614,000 hectares of such land available. The initiative aims to transform these idle areas into productive agricultural zones, contributing to national income and environmental sustainability.
Participants will receive full support from the ministry and local authorities. This includes installation of drip irrigation systems, access to low-interest loans, provision of high-quality seedlings, and expert agricultural advice.
The ministry encourages planting fruit trees and berry bushes suited for poor, dry soils. Recommended crops include apple, apricot, cherry, mulberry, currant, rosehip, sea buckthorn, hawthorn, walnut, and pistachio.
This program is part of a broader national effort to boost agricultural output and exports, especially important in a country where over half the population lives in rural areas.
Key Terms and Concepts
What is Kyrgyzstan’s Agricultural Revitalization Program?
In 2025, Kyrgyzstan launched a national program to restore over 600,000 hectares of underutilized farmland by encouraging both domestic farmers and citizens abroad to invest in agriculture. The program focuses on improving food security, increasing exports, and creating jobs in rural areas.
What is low-productivity farmland?
Low-productivity farmland refers to agricultural land that yields poor harvests due to factors like poor soil, lack of water, or outdated farming techniques. In Kyrgyzstan, much of this land remains idle or underutilized, and the government is now providing incentives to revive it using modern methods.
What support is Kyrgyzstan offering to returning farmers?
In 2025, the Kyrgyz government is offering financial and technical support to individuals who want to develop idle farmland. This includes drip irrigation systems, subsidized loans, quality seedlings, and expert advice—all aimed at increasing crop yields and profitability.
What is drip irrigation and why is it important?
Drip irrigation is a water-efficient farming method that delivers water directly to plant roots. In dry regions like much of Kyrgyzstan, it helps conserve water while improving crop growth—making it ideal for reviving low-fertility land targeted by the new initiative.
What crops are suitable for dry or low-fertility land in Central Asia?
In 2025, Kyrgyz authorities recommend cultivating hardy crops like apple, apricot, cherry, mulberry, rosehip, and pistachio trees. These plants are well-suited to poor soils and arid conditions and have market value both locally and for export.
Why are citizens working abroad being targeted for this program?
Many Kyrgyz citizens work abroad and send remittances home, contributing significantly to the national economy. By encouraging them to invest in local agriculture, the 2025 program aims to tap into this financial resource while also creating employment opportunities domestically.
What role do rural communities play in Kyrgyzstan’s economy?
Over half of Kyrgyzstan’s population lives in rural areas, and agriculture is a key livelihood. The 2025 revitalization strategy targets these communities to reduce poverty, promote sustainability, and expand the agricultural export sector.
How does this initiative relate to climate adaptation in Central Asia?
Kyrgyzstan’s farming revival plan aligns with broader 2025 goals for climate resilience. By promoting drought-tolerant crops and water-saving technologies like drip irrigation, the country is adapting agriculture to increasingly arid and unpredictable climate conditions.
How does this initiative support Kyrgyzstan’s export strategy in 2025?
With rising global demand for organic and niche agricultural products, Kyrgyzstan’s 2025 strategy includes transforming underused land into productive zones for export-quality crops. The focus on berries and nuts aligns with this export-driven approach.
