GENDER ANALYSIS AND VALUE CHAIN IN STRAWBERRIES AND

RAPSBERRIES IN KYRGYZSTAN

ACDIVOCA-KYRGYZSTAN AGRO HORIZON PROJECT

DER ANALYSIS REPORT Bishkek, February 2016.

This publication was produced for review

This Report was Prepared for review by the United States Agency for International

Development. It was accomplished by Dr. Nizamuddin Al-Hussainy, Senior Gender Consultant

on behalf of ACDI/VOCA with the support of gender team comprising of Agro Horizon Project

Gender Mainstreaming Manager Ms. Umut Egemberdieva and Advisor for Women's

Economic Empowerment in M4P Ms. Jane Gisin.

DISCLAIMER

The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the

United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.

2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank all the respondents who participated in the Focus Group Discussions, Key

Informant’s interviews as well as Mr. Martin West, COP and all his USAID Agro Horizon Project

colleagues who facilitated all out support for the field missions in Kyrgyzstan. I also would like

to express my special thanks to Dr. Jenn Williamson, Director of Gender Mainstreaming &

Women’s Empowerment, ACDI/VOCA, from Wash DC & Ms. Umut Egemberdieva Gender

Mainstreaming Manager of Agro Horizon project and Advisor for Women's Economic

Empowerment in M4P Ms. Jane Gisin who took time to answer repeated questions about the

project, arranged all FGDs, KIIs & logistics of the field missions in 4 Oblasts, even at the

expense of their own personal time.

Nizam Al-Hussainy

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ABBREVIATIONS

CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy 2014-2019

COP Chief of Party

FGD Focus Group Discussion

HYV High Yielding Variety

GEFE Gender Equality and Female Empowerment

GDP Gross Domestic Products

GNP Gross National Products

KII Key Informant Interview

KR Kyrgyz Republic

VC Value Chain

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USD United States Dollar

USG United States Government

WB World Bank

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

content Page #

Acknowledgements 2

Abbreviations 3

Table of contents 4

Executive summary 5

CHAPTER I: Gender and Value Chain analysis in Strawberry & Raspberry in KR

7

Introduction: Summary of Desk Review and Findings 7

Country context: Gender VC analysis 8

Profitability 11

VC map 12

Methodology 14

Justification for selecting this VC Subsector 15

CHAPTER II: Findings: Demographic background of FG participants 17

CHAPTER III: Gender Roles & Responsibilities of Production segment of soft fruits VC in Different Regions of KR

19

Assessment of access to and control over resources 21

Best location for good production, production level, post harvesting level, processing level

22

Domestic Consumption and marketing of berries 24

CHAPTER IV. Value chain analysis of strawberry and raspberry:

constraints and opportunities of subsector

27

CHAPTER V: Conclusions & Recommendations for possible interventions 31

References 35

Annexure A Details of methodology page 36

Annexure B KII Questions and answers of stakeholders from all 4 regions 55

Annexure C A case Study: “Things I dream, good variety & new technology” 84

Annexure D Gender Roles and Responsibilities in four Areas 87

Annexure E FGD respondent’s Data, analysis of all 8 FGDs held in all 4 regions 94

Annexure F Demographic information and charts of Participants of FGD 96

Annexure G Summary from all regions: access to and control over resources 99

Annexure H Climatic Conditions correlation to Berries production in KR 104

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Agro Horizon promotes economic growth by increasing employment in the agricultural sector, especially for women and youth, while improving the availability of nutritious foods and market share of the targeted crops in both domestic and foreign markets. The Agro Horizon Project is a key component of USAID KR’s overall economic development program designed to accelerate diversified and equitable economic growth in Kyrgyz Republic(KR)’1.

The geographic focus areas of Agro Horizon comprise the regions (oblasts) of Osh, Batken, and Jalalabad in Southern Kyrgyzstan, and the Naryn region in the North. With a focus on these four regions Agro Horizon Project engages actors in other locations that have market links to production in the target regions or the potential to strengthen competitiveness of the entire value chain for domestic or regional markets.

The ‘gender value chain analysis of Strawberries and Raspberries’ represents a comprehensive overview and an analysis of the Gender VC linkages resulting number of issues and findings as well as specific and general recommendations for actions for berries program in KR.

Both women and men work on small-scale family farms for berry production, sometimes together and sometimes with divided roles and responsibilities. However, women are most involved in the production of berries. The USAID Agro Horizon Project aims to fully integrate female empowerment and gender equality throughout its overall approach and project activities. As Agro Horizon Project is dedicated to ensuring as many women as possible are effectively reached by the project’s trainings, demonstrations, and other activities, this gender analysis in VC of soft fruits explores the situation of women in the project’s target areas as it

relates to mobility, access to and use of inputs, asset use, and participation in the Value Chain. Agro Horizon Project will utilize the data collected in this analysis to explore actionable interventions for Agro Horizon Project to ensure the constraints are addressed where possible, and opportunities to empower women are actualized.

Chapter one identifies the objectives and methodology of the gender analysis VC, summary of desk review/findings supported by the primary data/information generated by FGD and KII on gender value chain analysis of strawberries and raspberries in Kyrgyz Republic.

It was revealed that, in Kyrgyzstan raspberries and strawberries is being produced in around one thousand hectares of land by over 175000 farmers (75000 strawberries, 115000

raspberry) producing 4 thousand tons of raspberries and 6 thousand tons of strawberries

annually costing around 20 million USD. These fruits have been an excellent source of nutritious fruits in early spring and also steady incomes for small growers and for few processing plants, and thus could be treated as a driving force in agricultural economic growth of the country. Over 450 thousand women also benefited from growing these berries. A large number of women are involved in in processing of berries, over 70% of labourers in the processing plants are women. Fresh and processed raspberries and strawberries are consumed by the people of Kyrgyzstan and these fruits have high market demand, potential

1 Quoted from Scope of Work’ of the consultant

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for export in Kazakhstan and Russia thus strawberry and Raspberry production, marketing is

an important subsector for the processing industry.

Chapter two presents the findings of the demographic surveys conducted with FGD participants on sex, age groups, geographic locations, land ownership and other characteristics, with a focus on the revealed opinions of female-headed households and women engaged in agricultural income-generating activities.

Chapter three determines the gender roles and responsibilities of production segment of soft fruits value chain in different regions of KR. FGD with all 59 participants revealed both male and female groups from 4 different regions traditionally majority of works in berries production at house hold level are being carried out by women, but in Jalalabad area, men’s group pointed out that they carry out majority of works. But decision about harvesting,

sorting, packaging, storing, other value addition for marketing (Farmers do not add value to the product usually), marketing/selling, price negotiation or bargaining, controlling sales proceeds (Usually the income and savings are made together and both have access. However, sometimes some money is hidden from spouse), decision over income for spending are the ‘gender roles & responsibilities’ of women.

chapter four describes the main constraints and opportunities of the subsector and summarises some conclusions of the study.

Finally, chapter five, draws 19 recommendations for possible actions to ensure the

constraints are addressed where possible, and opportunities to empower women are

actualized. Recommendations were justified by the constraints, opportunities and

conclusions identification and analysis of VC of the subsector done. Among the

recommendations most notables were to * Secure high quality seedling material supply (of

Raspberry & Strawberry) with the assistance of partnership of international nurseries. Support

establishing/creation women friendly berry nurseries for growing new HYV of Raspberries and

Strawberries certified seedling materials and runners of new varieties through implementation of

grants and training at project intervention areas which will increase the overall yields and income.

*Consider supporting the establishment of vertical linkages between traders/processors and number

of female farmers through contract farming on pilot farms. * Facilitate establishing links of women

berries growers with fruits agro-processing companies and increase management capacities of

company manager/staff through trainings, * Support with appropriate technology for women for land

preparation, irrigation and plant protection, packaging for marketing adding VC, * Create

mechanism/techniques to protect fruits from birds and cattle, handy technology for processing and

preservation for women who preserve/process berries at homestead level, * Provide farm and

processing machinery for women household users, * Support technical training in the process of

development of new innovative value added products, * Support through trainings for introduction of

food safety standards , *Build women’s capacity in business and marketing through appropriate

trainings.

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CHAPTER I: GENDER AND VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN STRAWBERY AND RASPBERRY IN KYRGYZSTAN

INTRODUCTION: SUMMARY OF DESK REVIEW AND FINDINGS

‘Agro Horizon is based on USAID/Kyrgyz Republic Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), which is closely aligned with the KR National Sustainable Development Strategy for 2013–2017 and envisions increasing human capital, improving the business enabling environment, and increasing competitiveness in select economic sectors. The goal of Agro Horizon is to raise smallholder farmers’ incomes by expanding markets and increasing the competitiveness of select value chains. The goal aligns with the CDCS objective of “accelerated growth of a diversified and equitable economy.”2

USAID Agro Horizon Overview3: Agro Horizon promotes economic growth by increasing employment in the agricultural sector, especially for women and youth, while improving the availability of nutritious foods and market share of the targeted crops in both domestic and foreign markets. The Agro Horizon Project is a key component of USAID KR’s overall economic development program designed to accelerate diversified and equitable economic growth in KR.

The geographic focus areas of Agro Horizon comprise the regions (oblasts) of Osh, Batken, and Jalalabad in Southern Kyrgyzstan, and the Naryn region in the North. With a focus on these four regions we engage actors in other locations that have market links to production in the target regions or the potential to strengthen competitiveness of the

entire value chain for domestic or regional markets.

To sustainably reduce poverty and promote agricultural economic growth, Agro Horizon will:

1. Increase productivity of agricultural producers and link them to markets (Task 1, “Productivity”)

2. Increase productivity and markets for agribusinesses (Task 2, “Marketing”) 3. Improve enabling environment for agriculture sector growth (Task 3, “Enabling

Environment”) 4. Improve nutritional status of women and children in the zone of influence (Task

4, “Nutrition”)

The following systemic and cross-cutting conditions are critical to achieving these objectives:

A consistent and stable policy, legal, and regulatory environment at the national, regional, and district level that supports the private sector and agricultural development

Sustainable natural resource management that supports increases in productivity Research and development that supports innovation in the target value chains Financial and other supporting services to allow for value chain growth, especially

for agribusinesses and processors

2 ACDIVOCA Agro Horizon Project FY 2016 Year 2 work plan Final submitted to USAID on 30 July 2015 3 ACDIVOCA Agro Horizon Project FY 2016 Year 2 work plan Final submitted to USAID on 30 July 2015

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Country context & gender VC analysis: Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked nation in Central Asia, a

lower middle income country, GDP of which is US $ 7.4 Billion (WB 20144), 65% of the country’s territory (total: 199,951 square kilometers) is mountainous part. Unlike its neighbors, Kyrgyzstan has few natural resources to boost its economy. The country’s main exports include gold, textiles, fruit and vegetables. In addition, remittances from an estimated one Million Kyrgyz migrants in Kazakhstan and Russia contribute 28% of the country’s Gross National Product (GNP). Kyrgyzstan’s population of 5.8 Mio. People (WB 2014) is primarily rural, ‘only about 35% of the population live in the urban centers of Bishkek, Osh, and Jalal-Abad. An estimated one third of the population lives below the poverty line.’5

‘The USAID/ Kyrgyz Republic is now a stand-alone Mission, aligned with the USG’s Central Asia diplomacy and development priorities, but responding to development challenges that are

unique to the Kyrgyz Republic and its recent history. Generally, missions in the Central Asian Republics have not focused specifically on addressing gender equality and female empowerment (GEFE) in their portfolios but have had programs for many years to increase the number of women participating in their training programs. With the development of its first Country Development Cooperation Strategy 2014-2019 (CDCS), the mission requested a

Gender Analysis to understand the gender inequality issues in Kyrgyz Republic so that attention to GEFE would be integrated throughout its strategy and projects going forward.’ 6 The study revealed that ‘Both men and women play important roles in agricultural value chains in the Kyrgyz Republic. However, the contributions that women make to the sector are not fully recognized. Women manage household plots and livestock production as well as providing a significant amount of labor in agricultural fields. There is a notable gender gap favoring men in the management of family farms and larger livestock operations, in leadership

in agribusiness, and in employment in agricultural extension services. Although women have high levels of participation in household agro processing and in informal agricultural trade, their ownership and management of formal small and medium enterprises is relatively low. Women farmers and entrepreneurs have less access than men to resources such as technology, credit, and trainings or advisory services. Closing these gender gaps and bringing women into the formal Kyrgyz economy could strengthen agricultural value chains at the production, processing, and marketing levels’7

Agro Horizon has identified priority crops (Livestock, Potato, Apricot, Onion, Maize, Nursery) that present the most viable opportunities for engaging smallholder farmers and improving the value chain to realize market opportunities. These crops were selected based on information from value chain assessments, market research, stakeholder discussions, and

initial catalyzing grant activities8. The project also considered raspberry, strawberry among 12

4 www.worldbank.org/en/country/kyrgyzrepublic 5 Switzerland’s Cooperation in Kyrgyzstan February 2013,

www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/deza/en/documents/laender/factsheet-kirgistan_EN.pdf 6 Gender analysis for USAID/Kyrgyz Republic, August 2013, p-7 7 brief on gender roles, gaps, and opportunities in agriculture value chains in the Kyrgyz republic, agro horizon project 2014,

p-1 8 ACDI VOCA Agro Horizon Project Year 2 work plan, July 2015 p-11

9

other crops as there is always the possibility of including one of these products (or a new product altogether) should a reasonable market opportunity be uncovered.9

‘Gender analysis is the first step toward understanding the gender issues that are relevant to value chain operations. Gender analysis identifies the gender relations that structure how smallholder households are organized and how they interact with other firms and economic processes. Ideas about gender relations shape the opportunities that are available to men and women throughout the value chain’10.

From the secondary data it was also revealed that, Kyrgyzstan cultivates Raspberries and Strawberries over 175000 hectares (60% Raspberry, 40 % Strawberry), has been a source of steady incomes for 175 000 households and for 19 processing plants11 most have outdated technology, few quality standards, and little knowledge of modern marketing practices, and thus a driving force in agricultural economic growth for the country.

More than 450 thousand women farmers benefit from growing berries, over 70% of workers at the processing plant are women, there are several women entrepreneurs involved in the sector. 12

The majority of the berries grown in Kyrgyzstan are varieties13 suitable for processing (some of which produces jams/concentrate and juices) grown in homestead areas, less in open fields using outdated technologies and with relatively low yields. However, more and more entrepreneurs are emerging in the North/South of the country, who started producing berries in large volume.14

Strawberry total annual production in KR is only 6 thousand tons, Raspberry 4 thousand tons;15 nonetheless, KR’s average strawberry crop yields are still lower (average yields of

raspberry are estimated in the KR at 6 tons per hectare; average yields of strawberry in KR are 11 tons

per hectare,16 which is much less than those of most berries growing/competing countries (Strawberries yield: USA-No.1, Kyrgyzstan- No.59, Kazakhstan- No. 58, Russia- No. 51, source: http://factfish.com/statistic-country ).

Analyzing the trade balance of Kyrgyzstan, the country confirmed growing trends in exports of processed beverage/fruit drinks/juice products over the last 5 years: Food and agricultural exports accounted for 10% of all exports of the country. For example, Jalalabad Oblast contributes 19% of crop production in monetary terms. In addition, agriculture is the most

important economic sector in terms of income and employment in Jalalabad Oblast. 9 ACDI VOCA Agro Horizon Project Year 2 work plan, July 2015 p-11 10 See Candida March, Ines Smyth, and Maitrayee Mukhopadhyay, A Guide to Gender-Analysis Frameworks, London: Oxfam Publishing, 1999. 11 Analysis of VC in Kyrgyzstan, key figures of VC -strawberries and Raspberries, a Research is supported by ICCO

Cooperation in Central Asia and HELVETAS Swiss Intern cooperation, 2014 p-81 12 do 13 A rank in a taxonomic classification, below species and subspecies of plant (here Strawberry/raspberry) 14 Analysis of VC in Kyrgyzstan, key figures of VC -strawberries and Raspberries, a Research is supported by ICCO

Cooperation in Central Asia and HELVETAS Swiss Intern cooperation, 2014, page 86. 15 Do, page 83 16 Do page- 82

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According to the Department of Agriculture of the Oblast government, up to 80% of the active

workforce is engaged in agriculture. The strong agricultural base in Jalalabad Oblast has also contributed to agro and food processing capacity which is essential for value addition of agricultural produce. The service sector is also an important sector for the agriculture sector in Jalalabad Oblast since it provides essential services for value addition, efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural production and processing17. But as per analysis of VC -Strawberries and Raspberries, a research supported by ICCO cooperation in Central Asia and Helvetas Swiss intern cooperation, most berries are produced in Chui Oblast(province): 80% of all strawberries and 65% of all raspberries and over 60% of berries are processed into jams and other products, 35% are consumed fresh and less than 5% processed into higher added value products, primarily jams, compotes, fruit drinks and dried berries.

According to official customs statistics, the volume of export of berries has increased in the last several years. Partially, it is due to appearance of new entrepreneurs and farms, oriented to production and exports of berries. There was a big jump in export of berries starting from 2010. While in 2009 it was zero, which jumped to 2334 Tons (costing around 4.7 million USD) in 2011 and but it was downed to 907 tons in 2012. There are two major destinations for strawberry, exported from Kyrgyzstan: Kazakhstan and Russia.

Most strawberry is exported to the largest wholesale markets of Kazakhstan (Almaty and Astana cities) and to processing plants of Kazakhstan (which further process strawberry into higher added value products).18 Raspberry is also exported primarily to Kazakhstan. According to official statistics, it has already been exported to Russia and the United Arab Emirates, but over 99% of raspberry goes to Kazakhstan. Major competitors of Kyrgyzstan for the Kazakh

strawberry market are China, Netherlands, Turkey and Israel and Major competitors of Kyrgyzstan for the Kazakh raspberry market are Israel, Netherlands and the United States.19

Analysis of the market of Kyrgyzstan revealed that over 95% of local population processes berries in home conditions and make ‘Varenie’ (jams) for own consumption throughout the year. Less than 5% of population does not make home processing and prefers buying industrially made jams. Most such buyers reside in larger cities of Kyrgyzstan. According to conducted survey20, the major reasons for home processing are (1) a habit/customs/tradition – 80%, (2) no trust to local processors – 9%, (3) no money for buying it in shops – 6%, and (4) taste preferences to home made products – 5%.

The cost of jam production of one kg. of berries at processor’s plant level is around 250 Com

(whereas 60-65 to 110 Com (depending on time of the year) is farmers price other added value for collection, procurement, packaging, addition of sugar, labor cost, storage cost + processor’s margin etc.), wholesale price is 300 Com/kg. and retail price at bazaar/market

17 Marianne Sulzer, value chain analysis presentation of findings of value chain analysis and intervention design promotion

of sustainable economic development in Kyrgyzstan, August, 2015 18 Analysis of VC in Kyrgyzstan, key figures of VC -strawberries and Raspberries, a Research is supported by ICCO

Cooperation in Central Asia and HELVETAS Swiss Intern cooperation, 2014 19 Do page 84 20 For a research supported by ICCO Cooperation in Central Asia and HELVETAS Swiss Intern cooperation, 2014

11

level is around 400-420 Com/kg.21 (added value for strawberry and raspberry, processed into jams was calculated based on information of the season 2013).

Raspberry and strawberry jams are the most popular jams inside the country. Berries, traditionally, used for making home-made jams are either grown in own gardens/land plots or procured at local markets. Most local sales of fresh berries are made at bazaars22. In berry production it has been observed that one of the most challenging issues is lack of good varieties23 of Strawberries and Raspberries. In many cases farmers grow berries of different varieties of unknown origin in one place. Farmers mostly borrow strawberry and raspberry seedlings from each other. So as berry is perennial crop (strawberry grows four-five years in one place, raspberry grows up to ten years’ i n o n e p l a c e ) . S t rawberries become smaller sized further years. There are no berry nurseries or selection institutes at state level in Kyrgyzstan.

The major markets for locally produced fresh berries are:

- Local bazaars (Osh and Dyikan bazaars in Bishkek, local community bazars);

- Local processors (Lesson Product, Golden Sun, Agro-Plast, Kristal, Osko, etc.);

- Export to the markets of Kazakhstan (Almaty Ordo market, Astana market);

economic analysis of production of strawberries and raspberries: one of the outcomes of field experimental activities on the work with the beneficiaries of the project Agro Horizon was ‘economic analysis’ of a field experiment conducted by social fund of the center of studies, consultation, and innovation (www.taic.kg) under the USAID Agro Horizon project

for the period April-May 2015 according to the contract No. BIS-006-FAA shows encouraging results, which demonstrated the impact of the project through the provision of training and advice, and also become the foundation/basis for planning for the next year.

When conducting trainings on farm economics and economic analysis, farmer Groups (FG) leaders were trained in theory and practice for proper planning and drawing up the economic analysis. In All 45 farmer groups the economic analysis was conducted by farmer leaders and farmers taking into account the costs and income of farmers.

This analysis was carried out in comparison to other crops, the production of which involved the same farmers, i.e. This was in particular potatoes, onions and Maize(corn).

PROFITABILITY

The results of the above economic analysis showed greater profitability of cultivation of berry crops.

21 do 22 Analysis of VC in Kyrgyzstan, key figures of VC -strawberries and Raspberries, a Research is supported by ICCO

Cooperation in Central Asia and HELVETAS Swiss Intern cooperation, 2014 page 85 23 Species variation of a crop adaptable not only to specific agro climatic conditions but also have the desirable potentials to yield good

12

In particular, it was found that in berry crops, where the difference in the net profit as

compared to other crops exceeded 500% in favor of Raspberry (below table) in comparison to Maize, and 218% in favor of Strawberries in comparison to Maize.

Table 1: Economic and profitability analysis of cultivation of berries

Soft fruits Yield T/ha

Total expenditure Com /ha

Average selling rate/kg Com

Total income

Com/ha

Net profit

Com/ha

Net profit from a hectare in comparison to (% more than)

Maize potato onion

Strawberries 10 546000 110 1100000 554000 218 140 115

Raspberries 9.2 246500 110 1012000 765500 500 324 270

Note: total expenditure included seedlings/runners cost which will be less in next years to come, for Strawberries (4-5 years)– 300 000 Cом/ha, Raspberries (10 years)– 30000 Cом/ha.

Source: Final report (in Russian) of activities conducted by social fund of the center of studies,

consultation, and innovation (www.taic.kg) under the USAID Agro Horizon project for the period

April-May 2015 according to the contract No. BIS-006-FAA.

Berries have been one of Kyrgyzstan’s export products to Kazakhstan and Russia for the last 6 years. the country’s main berry export is fresh Strawberries and raspberries. There is a large potential for shifting from fresh fruits exports into exports of frozen fruits, frozen retail packs, and value-added products such as dried berries (air and freeze dried), berry-based culinary

ingredients (powders, extracts), concentrates and purees, organic products, and other retail products. A large number of people could be involved in production of fresh fruits at rural level, in processing plants- workers could be employed in the sector, now more than 175,000 farmers involved in production of raspberries and strawberries, some farms grow both. Production of these berries could be further increased in Kyrgyzstan.

Organic production of berries24 is well established and growing in Kyrgyzstan, but insufficient in quantity. (according to interviews conducted) With growing demand in the world market for organic berries, berry ingredients, and berry products, local production could be further enhanced.

There is increasing local demand for processed raspberries, strawberries, and for juices and preserves.

VALUE CHAIN MAP

Vale chain stages:

1. Inputs for raspberry and strawberry production

The major producers use the following inputs like seedlings-in most cases either buy from market or neighbors; land- in most cases own land; entrepreneurs rent additional land;

24 Use only organic fertilizer, no chemical fertilizer for production

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fertilizers- organic and chemical like- salphates and amorphous are the most popular types

brought mostly from market; labor- a lot of labor is required, one of the major item of expenditure, chemicals - for plant protection is brought from market or from neighbors, irrigation-manual, hose pipe, drip irrigation ( if big field)

2. Domestic production 3. Collection, processing 4. Domestic sales/trade at bazaar/domestic market 5. export-foreign trade

Export to processors in Kazakhstan (Anadolu Marketing, Golden Food and other enterprises, located in the area of Kazakhstan).

(please see the following value chain map for Strawberries and Raspberries applicable to Kyrgyzstan, this map was adopted from “Analysis of VC in Kyrgyzstan, key figures of VC -strawberries and Raspberries, a Research supported by ICCO Cooperation in Central Asia and HELVETAS Swiss Intern cooperation, 2014” page 86)

Fig. 1: Value chain Map for Strawberries, raspberries applicable for Kyrgyzstan

Value Chain for Berries Service Providers

Foreign Markets

Export Foreign processors

Wholesalers

Retailers

Bazaars/ markets

Processing plants: 5%

Export

Sales

Processing

Financial

institutions

(FINCA, Bai

Tushum, banks);

Agri-consulting

(TES, RAS);

KyrgyzAgroBioC

entre;

Central

Specialized

Control

Toxicological

Laboratory

Kyrgyz Agro

Chemical Soil

Station

Collectors

Home processing:

60%

Individual Peasant Farms and households: 99%>175.000

Collection

Production

Input

Land Seedlings Fertilizers Chemicals Labor

VC stages

Irrigation

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Stages of the VC are: inputs, (land, seedlings/runners, fertilizers, chemicals, labour, irrigation) production, collection of fruits, processing of fruits, sales, including exports to foreign markets or foreign processors. It has been shown the inter relationship of different actors in the VC in the above map. METHODOLOGY25

This study was intended to:

1. To find out answers of four basic questions: 1.a. Who(male/female/both/boys/girls) does what in the chain? 1b. Who determines how things are done? 1c. What service and support men and women berries growers are receiving and what are lacking? 1d.

What are the challenges they face in VC including in marketing, processing their products and utilization/control of sales proceeds?

2. Actor analysis in value chain of soft fruits in 4 intervention regions of work of Agro-Horizons in Kyrgyz Republic.

The study adopted a methodology and questionnaire for the FGD and probable questions for the key informant interviews (KII)26.

These included the following: 3 activities 1. A form filled up by the target focus group participants of Strawberries and Raspberries

to have the information on demographic breakdown.

2. Focus Group Discussions(FGD) with 4 males and 4 female’s groups in Agro Horizon

project four oblasts to know who plays what role/have the responsibilities in different stages of VC.

The gender analysis was managed to 59 respondents (29 males, 30 female farmers) in the rural areas in the Raions of Chatkal, Naryn, Kara-Suu, Leilek and Ashkalak. These geographical areas /districts are renowned for berries production as per beneficiary’s survey conducted by Agro-Horizon project in 2015.

Table 2: FGD Stakeholders and ‘Rion’s Covered

Oblast Raion FGD Soft fruit Basic trainings received from Agro Horizon

Jalalabad Chatkal 1 men / 1

women group

Strawberry- /

Raspberry

Yes

Naryn Naryn 1 men / 1 women group

Strawberry-/ Raspberry /

No

Osh Kara-Su 1 men / 1 women group

Strawberry- / Raspberry

No

Batken Leilek 1 men / 1 women group

Strawberry- / Raspberry

No

25 For Details of the methodology and work plan, please see annexure A 26 Please see annexure A for details

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3. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with the following Key informants in different locations

Table. 3: List of the stakeholders for KII and the Location27

KII stakeholders

Location

rural advisory /extension agro-service provider-1, market trader-1, district level government agronomist - 1

, Ala-Buka, Jalalabad

Rural advisory /Agro-service expert-1, trader of berries at local market-1

Naryn

District level government agronomist-1, Rural advisory Agro-service providers/experts-2,

Osh, Kara-Suu

Government agronomist-1, Extension rural advisory service provider-1, traders at local bazaar-1, Owners/Chief Engineer

of Berries/fruits/vegetables Processing Factory -2

Leilek, Kyzyl-Kia, Batken

The aim of each of those research tools was to collect information from both men and women berries producers on gender roles and relations along the agricultural value chain and collect opinions of Key informants who play different roles in VC of soft fruits production, marketing, processing and other levels. What are the best conditions to grow these soft fruits, which areas in KR are best suitable to grow these fruits in terms of feasibility, profitability and

marketing, which crop is more profitable, raspberry or strawberry depending on location factor, under which marketing circumstances are they profitable (import substitution, selling on fresh market, selling to processing company etc.)?

Those findings in this report described the findings of primary and secondary data collection that took place during 22 working days of January- February, 2016.

The study design employed a mix of methods, small portion (form filling up) of which focused on quantitative information/data while all others focused on qualitative data obtained through FGDs and KIIs. There was no study bias towards one of these types of data, but overall the approach favored gathering data from multiple sources on all questions and foster strangulations using varying types of data to enhance the quality and ensure the reliability of

answers the report provided to questions. Thus, for Question 1a,1b, 1c, 1d and Question 2 data were expected to be more qualitative in nature. Ultimately, the majority of the information used to address the questions was qualitative in nature.

JUSTIFICATION FOR SELECTING THIS VC SUB-SECTOR

“Gender analysis of the value chain of soft fruits (Strawberry and Raspberry)” theme was unanimously selected by the experts in a participatory meeting headed by Chief of Party

27 Key informant’s names, designations, areas of expertise and answers to main questions has been noted and shown in Annexure B.

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attended by Dy. COP, gender team, M&E Director and consultant of the Agro Horizon

project.28

Based on the Eight following criteria29 Strawberry and Raspberry subsectors were selected as these fruits have excellent:

Solid demand of fresh and processed fruits at home and abroad Income Potential for women growers Large growth potential for exports of fresh fruit, frozen retail packs, and value-added

products such as dried berries, culinary ingredients (powders, extracts, etc.), concentrates and purees, organic products, and other retail products

Importance to Food Security and Nutrition for Agro Horizon project Impact on Women: Gender and Youth participation.

Reach: Number and distribution of potential beneficiaries Relevance: Appropriate for both household and commercial farms; relative current

importance in local agriculture. Good profitability, Potential for intensification/expansion Potential for Agro Horizon project success

28 Meeting was held on 11 January 2016 in Bishkek, Agro Horizon Project. For Details, please see annexure A 29 Kyrgyzstan Agro-Horizon VC analysis-fanal-15 Dec 2014 page 6-8

17

CHAPTER II: FINDINGS- DEMOGRAPPHIC BACKGROUND OF FG PARTICIPANTS This section gives demographic background of FGD participants. This information was collected from FGD respondent’s quick questionnaire filling survey in all four areas. The forms were delivered to all 59 respondents from the Rions (districts) of Batken: total 18 respondents, in Osh 10 respondents, in Jalalabad 17 respondents and in Naryn 13 respondents. These districts (see the below map) were selected as they are USAID Agro Horizon project districts area. A total of 29 males and 30 female respondents-berries producers at rural areas were given to fill up the questionnaire. All questionnaire survey respondents were rural farmers-strawberries or raspberries or both soft berries growers.

Fig 2: Map of Kyrgyzstan

FINDINGS Out of 59 participants, 49% were male, 51% female, age of 48% respondents were of 21-40 years of age group, rest 52% were of 41 to 60 years old age group, there was any participant of lower than 20 years of age.

To better understand decision-making process within the households, survey first sought to ascertain how many among the respondent’s households in the target geographical areas are headed by women.

It was revealed that 20% of the female participants were women headed householders. (who as a female was either divorced, widowed or single and responded that she also herself the head of the household).

Among the participants, 72% were married, 7% widowed, 15% divorced, 7% single. Participants were asked to indicate the relationship to house hold-head of each of their households. 12% of respondents are living currently with their parents/in laws/close relatives under the same roof, 33% live with their spouse, 55% own ‘self’. (details about the information

18

of respondents from all 4 regions could be seen in table 4 and in separate diagrams drawn as

per the information given by the participants, in the annexure F). When it was asked ‘How much land does your households have’? All respondents from all 4 oblasts have reported that they own their own ‘sotka’, it means that 100% respondents have their own House Hold land and nobody rented any land for cultivation.

Table: 4 DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION OF FGD PARTICIPANTS

Rion Gender Age group Who is the head of

household %

Live with

household

head %

Marital status % How much

land cotka

yes/No %

Male

%

Female

%

20<

%

21 To 40 %

41 To 60 %

Parents/ in laws

%

Spouse %

Self %

Yes %

No %

Singles %

Married %

Widowe

d %

Divorced %

Own sotka

%

Rented %

Osh 60 40 0 40 60 20 10 70 90 10 0 56 11 33 100 0

Batken 28 72 0 50 50 0 50 50 89 11 6 70 12 12 100 0

Jalalbad 35 65 0 41 59 12 29 59 85 15 0 77 8 15 100 0

Naryn 29 71 0 62 38 14 43 43 100 0 7 86 0 7 100 0

Average

%

49% 51% 0 48 52 12 33 55 91 9 6 72 7 15 100 0

All respondents have their high school level of education and thus it will be easy to train women or sensitize men and women and their involvement in building future capacity and to inform easily men, women farmers through any capacity building training by using promotional materials or establish market linkages through facilitation, if needed. (Building

their capacity and linking them to markets allows them to turn their family responsibilities into businesses30).

30 Gender and value chain, practical tool kit, agro-pro focus, 2012

19

CHAPTER III: GENDER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 31 OF PRODUCTION SEGMENT OF SOFT FRUITS VALUE CHAIN IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF

KYRGYZSTAN

Agro Horizon Project asked participants a series of same questions32 during conduction of FGD with male and female groups separately regarding who is responsible for making various agricultural production related decisions within each participant’s household. This was done to determine the appropriate design and targeting of various project activities. Female participants indicated whether they were responsible for making those decisions, whether their husbands or other adult males made those decisions, or whether they made those decisions together with their husbands. Male respondents also could identify whether they or another adult male made those decisions, whether their wife made those decisions, or whether they made those decisions together with their wives.

During FGDs, the responses of participant as recorded on the flip charts in male, female groups in 4 different regions found that, in caring for plant-weeding, caring for plants-trimming, harvesting, sorting, packaging, storing, other value addition for marketing (not always

though), marketing/selling of produce, price negotiation or bargaining, control of sales proceeds are solely done by women, some works like planting, decision about method of fertilization/ and pest & disease control, over income for spending, organic fertilizing are done by ‘both’ male and female. Sometimes children also help.

Depending on the regions, participant’s answer to same question like ‘who selects variety of Raspberry/Strawberry crop?’ Answers differed. In Osh, when men and women were in a

mixed group, the answers were that ‘men’ do the job of land preparation, buying runners, acquiring agro inputs (fertilizer, insecticides etc.) But in Batken, Jalalabad, women and men’s group, the participants told that this work is done by ‘women’.

The FGD results showed differences in perception of decision-making authority for many of the topics addressed. In many instances like ‘applying pest and disease control,’ harvesting where women viewed both she and her husband had decision-making authority, male respondents from Batken opined that those works were carried out by women, both women and men groups indicated that they alone or along with other members of the family were responsible for making some of those decisions. These differences in perception aside, a majority of both males and females indicated that both shared authority on ‘how to spend money.’ Individual participation in the workforce was another area in which men and women

indicated that ‘both’ they and their spouses were involved. While the majority of men perceived they alone were responsible for making decisions regarding selection of variety, buying runners, land preparation, fertilizing, acquiring agricultural inputs like fertilizer, pesticides, insecticides, irrigation or which agricultural inputs to purchase, majority of the

31 socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and

women, "What do we mean by "sex" and "gender"?". WHO.int. World Health Organization. 2015. 32 Please see Annex A for questions, Annexure D for details answers to those questions of Male/Female groups as recorded and Annex E FGD respondents’ data from 4 regions

20

women group participants indicated that they were involved with their spouses in making those decisions.

While analysed the findings from the same questions but in different regions it was revealed that the gender roles and responsibilities differ, though not substantially, from regions to regions. For example, in osh/ kara suu, village: josh (ayil okmotu) participants of mixed male and female group in response to the question “who does the work of ‘variety’ selection of Strawberries-Raspberries?”, the participants answered that decision on variety selection depended on who has more knowledge, but all answered that this decision was in practice always taken by ‘men’. But all participants in reply to the question ‘who buys runners?’ replied that this role was played by sometimes women, sometimes by men. Similarly, land preparation work, acquiring agro-inputs, decision about fetching water, or applying of

fertilizer method or controlling pest/disease, marketing, controlling sales proceeds, decision over spending of money were carried out by ‘male’ but sometimes jointly made jointly by ‘both’ of them. (please see the summary of responses of focus group discussions in all 4 regions by male and female groups shown at table 5).

It is evident from the above analysis that, though women play the leading role in majority of activities in berry production, processing and marketing steps, but the ownership of land including fixed assets belong to men.

ASSESSMENT ON ACCESS TO AND CONTROL OVER RESOURCES

Assessment of ‘access to and control of resources’ has been a fundamental tool of gender analysis. It was learned from the information gathered during the FGD in 4 different regions, has been summarised in the matrix shown in Annexure G. Focus was on who owns the fundamental assets used in agriculture production VC stage. Responded women’s access to land, machineries, tunnel, agriculture inputs, credit, knowledge etc. show that, the authority on those assets and decisions making process mostly controlled by men and men are the legal owners of land including households, and such a picture is observed in all 4 regions.

Access to and control over resources are critical to people’s identities and livelihoods, autonomy and rights.33 Yet, historically, due to gendered divisions of labour as it was seen in all 4 regions, patriarchal social-cultural norms and economic inequalities, women in all their

diversity have been denied in real sense access to resources and control over them by men, such as the ownership of land, right to sell them, and use of technologies etc.

33 http://www.forum.awid.org/forum12/about-the-forum-theme/access-to-control-of-resources/

21

Table: 5: SUMMARY OF FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS IN ALL REGIONS BY MALE AND FEMALE GROUPS

Focus Group Women Men

Activity by region Osh Batken Jalalabad Naryn Osh Batken Jalalabad Naryn

Selection of variety Men34 Women Women Men Men Women Men Women

Buy runners (or seeds) Men Women Women Women Men Women men Women

Land preparation Men men Men Men Men men Men men

Fertilizing (organic or chemical) Men both Men Men Men Women Men Women

Acquiring agro inputs (fertilizer, insecticides etc.) Men Men Men Men Men Women Men men

Planting Women both Women Women Women men women Men

Caring for plants -mulching Men men men both Men men both Women

Caring for plants -weeding Women Women Women Women Women women women Women

Caring for plants -trimming Women Women Women Women Women men women Women

Fetching water/irrigating Men men Men Men Men Women Men both

Decides about method of fertilizing and p+d control All help both Men both both Women Men men

Applying pest control both Men both both Women Men Women

Applying disease control both Men Men Men men Women Men Women

Harvesting Women Women Women Women Women both Women Women

Sorting Women Women Women women Women women Women Women

Packaging Women Women women women Women women Women Women

Storing Women Women Women women women Women Women Women

Other value addition for marketing Women Women Women women Women women Women both

Marketing / selling Women Women Women Women Women Women Women Women

Price negotiation or bargaining women Women Women Women women Women women Women

Control sales proceeds women Women Women Women women Women Women Women

Decision over income for spending Men Women Women both Men both both both

34 when majority of the FGD participants agreed on this issue, ‘who is doing what’ FGD facilitator recorded ‘men’ or ‘women’ or ‘both’

22

BEST LOCATION FOR GOOD PRODUCTION

Climatic conditions of Central (Chui), and Northern part (Issyk-Kul, Talas) South-Western part - Batken of Kyrgyzstan is most favorable (see table 5), the agricultural opportunities, especially in terms of fruits and berries, are significant. A specific and market oriented approach in 2 product VC could increase agribusiness performance and improve the regions overall socio-economic situation.

Table: 5 Location of production

Berry Location in Kyrgyzstan (province) %35

Chui Issyk-Kul Talas Batken Others areas

Raspberry 65 15 10 10

Strawberry 80 10 5 5

The climatic conditions such as average temperature, day length and rain fall and other environmental indicators of Kyrgyzstan favor berries growing in this country. Kyrgyzstan’s climate is continental, with cold winters, and warm and sunny summers, but cooler in the mountains. Average precipitation is moderate in the country as a whole but less during summer, while the east-central (Naryn Oblast) is arid. The Target berries production areas of the project i.e. Osh, is located in the south-west at 1,000 meters of altitude Batken, Jalal-Abad, at 750 meters. During spring-the beginning period of Berries plantation between March in Jalalabad, Osh, Batken but for Naryn is May due to prolonged winter. Throughout the year, 300 mm of rain or snow fall, so the climate is still arid, but the pattern is different from the

Osh, Batken or Jalalabad because there is a relative minimum precipitation in winter and a maximum in late spring, with rain even in summer, reflecting the fact that the Average monthly precipitation distribution shows that rainfall conditions are favorable for growing berries without irrigation in Naryn. (Please read ‘Climatic conditions VS Soft berries production in KR’ at Annexure H).

On the production level, most of the strawberries and raspberries growers are small size farmers. As a result, production is fragmented and diversified, resulting in higher costs per unit than those of large farms that have specialized production. The average field owned by a single household (1/3 of a hectare) is often not suitable for modern commercial production due to physical obstacle in the use of mechanization and organization of further standardized

production methods. (KII) There are almost no cooperatives and producer’s organizations, though this need is imperative, especially if one considers that with active and appropriate participation, they could help each other to improve production performance/outcome.

The producers usually do not pay attention to the post-harvesting practices, such as cleaning and calibration and keeping the plant in good condition for the next spring season and most of these activities are left as it is for the next spring. Adequate equipment for this is lacking

35 Source: Analysis of VC in Kyrgyzstan, key figures of VC -strawberries and Raspberries, a Research supported by

ICCO Cooperation in Central Asia and HELVETAS Swiss Intern cooperation, 2014 page 81

23

and small farmers do not want to invest in such tools which are too expensive for a small household holder’s farmers.

Processing is mainly organized by small companies, which are still in development stage. Though they are in processing business for the last 50 years. They are buying and preserving, processing and packaging end results in factory of fruits like apples, Raspberries, tomatoes, cucumber, pumpkin, making different types of juices mixed and 100% fresh and without mixing preserving chemicals. That’so why they have wide markets in Russian and inside Kyrgyzstan. The number of workforce differs from season to season. These processing plants are now under private sector, previously under government. These are mostly owned by men.

The processing plants are working on heavy technologies of old Soviet era, need to be revamping or replacing by modern technologies/ building new ones then they could make the

products 100% pure and attractive for buyers. Biggest constraints are flow of raw materials throughout the year, old machines, low output rate and resources for changing all these. They have educated engineers, good workers but lack of all these do not allow them to change the factory to compete with world standards. They are also lacking appropriate processing and ancillary equipment, proper hygiene and sanitation practices, poor quality control systems, inappropriate packaging materials and high packaging costs, poor and unappealing labeling, absence of branding to differentiate from competitors etc.

Most of the heavy works at processing plants are done by men and less heavy works are done by women. One of the constraints for women workers is that they cannot manually handle big/large size of the bottles, packages, and containers of processed products- this is not only

a problem for female workers but also for female customers, but for female shop owners as well. Kyrgyzstan is much behind of other countries of the World in processing and marketing of barriers. Due to lack of stable buyers outside of the country they cannot make stable planning for production. They may increase the production of berries as they have lot fallow fertile land and good experienced farmers. They have good market in Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia but could not supply due to stable production orders from them. They also lacking in operating capital, good management, business, and financial skills. The companies have an acute need and enable future business. Further training of human resources in the processing technology, food safety, standardization and new products development sectors is essential for their potential export market position.

Extension service providers of private sector/NGOs are not in a position to provide services

to female small householders/produces for new production technologies that emerge as a consequences of market trends unless they get any external financial support from donors. On the local level, government planners/agronomist, though aware of the importance of the agriculture sector planning, have close to no mechanisms, with which to monitor the sector’s development and improve the linkages with VC players. The government people working at the local level unable to respond promptly to the needs of agriculture producers, especially women, and are limited in providing any support or service according to their capabilities/needs of the people due to lack to budget from the government. Further networking in this respect is essential for the development of strawberries/raspberries products areas within the fruits and berries VCs in Kyrgyzstan.

24

DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION & MARKETING

RASPBERRIES Out of 4 thousand tons of Raspberry production in Kyrgyzstan, 60% of berries are used by farmers’ households which usually produce juices and jams from them for their personal consumption, 35% of berries are consumed fresh. A small amount of raspberries, only 5% are industrially processed. From a marketing point of view, most processing companies sell on the domestic market and work as a sub-contractor for big national business player or from partners from Russia/Kazakhstan. At present, they lack both the necessary knowledge and resources in order to directly enter export markets. The need for support in this area is significant as it influences not only their competitiveness on the market, but also provides a direct entry point to markets; this will improve all VC links and enable a redistribution of the

higher margins to all VC players, especially the women small household producers.

STRAWBERRIES

According to official statistics, KR’s total production of strawberries reached 6 thousand tons in 2013. Roughly 60 percent of all strawberries produced in Kyrgyzstan are home processed, 35 percent eaten fresh, and 5 percent sold locally to processors to be turned into jams, concentrates, juices, and preserves. With such a high demand for local juice and preserve processing, cold stores freeze only a small amount of strawberries.

Local consumers consume more fresh strawberries than other berries. Like raspberries, strawberries are bought in bulk at local bazaar (markets) just to sell them quickly. Today, no farmers and traders sell packed strawberries in bazaar or to supermarkets in KR.

Procurement prices for strawberry and raspberry for production purposes are almost the same. One of the reasons is that plants buy berries in the regions, directly from famers. In some cases, (for instance, Agro-Plast plant and Kristal processing Centre in Batken- (ref: KII interview), farmers simply have no other buyers, and agree on conditions of agreement with the plants /prices, suggested by Agro-plast/Kristal. But the producers sometimes breaching the agreement with the processing plants sell the produces in the market when they see that the local open market price is higher than the fixed prices of the factory. In the North (Naryn), the price of fresh berries is higher, because there is a scarcity of fruits supply in that area and there are also more buyers and farmers can negotiate //bargain the price & choose their buyers.

Berries also can be exported either by large farmers-entrepreneurs themselves or through special agents/collectors.36

36 Analysis of VC in Kyrgyzstan, key figures of VC -strawberries and Raspberries, a Research is supported by ICCO

Cooperation in Central Asia and HELVETAS Swiss Intern cooperation, 2014 page 87

25

CHAPTER IV. VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS OF STRAWBERRY AND RASPBERRY: CONSTRAINTS

AND OPPORTUNITIES

During the value chain analysis of strawberry and raspberry, following constraints were

identified:

During the production stage of strawberries and raspberries there is acute lack of access to sufficient irrigation water in Batken, Jalalabad and Osh; 20% land are irrigated; others depend on ‘rain fed’ conditions. Lack of access to sufficient irrigation water during plantation season of berries in Batken, Jalalabad, Osh hinder enhanced production and increasing production areas by women. But in Nayn, the berries producers do not face this problem.

Inadequate agricultural extension and other services for women in all 4 intervention

areas of Agro Horizon Project. Lack of access to agricultural extension services has contributed to reduced yields of berries production, and productivity is well below the optimum. Women soft fruits growing communities have neither financial resources

nor have the technical knowledge to enhance production. There exist kknowledge and information gaps, Lack of technical advice or advisory support – no extension services at village level for women growers. As there is very llimited information and knowledge about berry production, it is needed to create trainings opportunities for women small house holds producers and new women growers.

Lack of new high-yielding varieties (HYV) of seedlings of berries crops. there is any

good variety and there is any nursery for growing runners/seedlings of berries. Lack of access to different and productive varieties with good quality. Supporting production of berries: increasing volumes and reducing costs, and improving quality so as to fulfilling the demand of new high-yielding varieties (HYV) of seedlings of berries crops, in most cases women farmers bring runners/seedlings from neighbours or buy from local market. They get some old and some new ones from long distance. Kyzyl Kia for Raspberry, Bishkek for Strawberry. Access to high yielding varieties are limited for women. Low productivity of present varieties cultivated. As a result, most women berries growers-farmers use

degenerated old varieties and have none or little access to modern technologies, including machinery and equipment, needed for improved production.

Inadequate access to markets and business for women; The major markets for locally produced fresh berries and homemade ‘Varenie’37(jams) are: Local bazaars, neighbors in Jalalabad, Osh and Naryn. Batken and Jalalabad women berries producers have good access to agro-processors (like AgroPlast, Kristal at Batken ) and they are trying to enhance their size of the plots to grow more and earn more. There is any marketing problem in those areas. Processing plants are willing to buy all the fresh berries that

37 Варенье (Varenie) in Russian.

Please read the case study of a

woman (at annexure C), who is

dreaming of a good variety of

Raspberries and of a

technology to process her

products.

26

are available, as long as their delivery and quality are consistent. Processing plants are

paying slightly less than bazaar/open markets for the same quality, but are buying in higher volumes. Once farmers are producing significant volumes of fresh berry with an extended season, Kyrgyzstan may start focusing on other foreign markets, such as retail chains.

Agro-input (like organic and chemical fertilizer/ products) buying and carrying in big packaging of inputs is one of the constraints to women purchasing these agro-inputs, as well as carrying them home.

Lack of Networking /groups: Women can be the part of women groups/networks and

NGOs to have better bargaining power for their produces.

Lack of proper sorting, grading & packaging of soft fruits; Packaging for marketing

adding VC. Limited market access – broken value chains. Small packages could be

made at rural household level by the women growers to attract diversified buyers.

Lack and unavailability of handy technology for processing and preservation of berries

by women who preserve/process berries at homestead level. Also there are shortage

of farm and processing machinery for women household users.

Lack of appropriate technology for women for land preparation, irrigation and plant

protection.

Lack of protection

mechanism/techniques to protect

fruits from birds and cattle. Birds

that eat the ripen berries and

cattle that walk over the plots of

the berries plants and destroy

plants and bushes.

Biggest constraints for processing plants are flow of raw materials throughout the

year, old machines, low output rate and resources for changing all these. They have

educated engineers, good workers but lack of all these do not allow to change factory

to compete with world standards. Most processing factories are also lacking

appropriate processing and ancillary equipment, proper hygiene and sanitation

practices, poor quality control systems, inappropriate packaging materials and high

packaging costs, poor and unappealing labeling, absence of branding to differentiate

from competitors.

“I suppose that if they (women) could use small

power tillers for land preparations and any sort of

small spray machines for controlling pests and

diseases or any small pumps for irrigation when

there is dry season or a small handy processing

machine those could be of great help to women”-

a key informant

27

Women workers of processing companies cannot manually handle big/large sizes of

the packages of raw materials and containers of processed products- this is not only a

problem for female workers but also for female customers, but for female shop

owners as well. That’s why It was suggested more women/children-friendly packaging

for producers and purchasers of processed fruits and juice.

Kyrgyzstan is much behind of other countries of the World in processing and marketing

of barriers. KR produce good quality of berries, very testy and liked by all but due to

lack of buyers outside of the country, KR cannot make stable planning for production.

KR may increase production of berries as it has lot fallow fertile land and good

experienced farmers only few things are lacking, these are: lack of resources,

technologies, and foreign buyers. There is a good market in Russia, Kazakhstan,

Mongolia but KR could not supply due to stable production orders from them.

Processors also have lacking in operating capital, good management, business, and

financial skills professionals with low level of technological knowledge support for the

agro-processing arena and poor marketing and product promotion.

Stable market and demand of buyers are the main challenges of women in supply

chain of these berries.

Poor management skills of farmers and processors.

Foreign direct investment is not yet significant in this subsector.

Official and unofficial payment per cooling truck; border issues increase risks; China,

Kazakhstan becoming main competitor whose export prices are significantly more

competitive, most processing plants do not have ISO standard in place which hinders

from entering the markets of developed countries38

VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS OF STRAWBERRY AND RASPBERRY: OPPORTUNITIES OF SUBSECTOR

Best areas for raspberries and strawberries growing is Chui, then Issyk-Kul, talas,

Jalalabad and Batken. There is huge potentiality for expansion of berries growing in Ala Buka

Rayon as the climate, soil is very much favorable for berries production. Best conditions prevail in Batken oblast specifically KadamZai Region. Farmers of these region grow berries at homestead areas of 10-30 sotok, mostly grow Raspberries and Strawberries. These farmers are in the last few years suppling berries to south regions markets of

38 Analysis of VC in Kyrgyzstan, key figures of VC -strawberries and Raspberries, a Research supported by ICCO Cooperation

in Central Asia and HELVETAS Swiss Intern cooperation, 2014 page 90

28

the country. There is huge demand of the Strawberries and Raspberries fruits, that is

why farmers of this region are now growing these soft fruits in ½ and 1 hector of land as profitability of their fruits are much higher than other crops. From marketing fruits from 1 hector of land of These berries a farmer is earning 500,000 to 7,00,000 Com.

Raspberries are more profitable than strawberries. it was found that in berry crops, where the difference in the net profit as compared to other crops exceeded 500% in favor of Raspberry in comparison to Maize, and 218% in favor of Strawberries in comparison to Maize.

Women are mostly responsible for selling berries in the market or to the processing centers, women farmers have participated in Agro Horizon project organized training

as women berries growers have less access to extension services, technologies or knowledge sharing but men have better access from different sources, The “Agro-plast” and “Kristal”, local processing companies are supporting women berries growers with agro-inputs and credit so that in return they sell the berries to the company and reimburse the credit money with produce, If women will be given the opportunity to trainings on production of berries they can come up with organizing of their own groups for better bargaining with processing companies. They can come up with value chain issues with the processing companies, Agro Horizon Project can organize production oriented trainings for women berries growers, support them with varieties, agro-inputs, technologies, value chain trainings, and linking with processing companies, as in the long run, selling fruits to processing company will be more sustainable than depending on open market. This is also creating market potential and

opportunities in general throughout the VC not only for farmers but also for processing companies.

Women farmers are convinced that there is a strong business case if strawberry/raspberry farmers in the Central Region will use the modern variety and which will increase the demand for information and expert advice about appropriate growing techniques. Considering the demand and mainly women participation in Strawberry/raspberry Value Chain with the contribution of community set up Strawberry/raspberry Nursery with drip irrigation system as a visual sample for other farmers.

Huge marketing demand of fresh strawberries, Raspberries inside and outside of

Kyrgyzstan (consumers prefer locally produced berries, market is growing inside the country, 60% of berries are home processed into jams and other products, 35% of berries are consumed fresh, 5% of berries are industrially processed).

Good export potential of berries in Kazakhstan, Russia. The volume of export of berries has increased in the last years (from 1125 Tons in 2010 to 2334 tons in 2011 and 907 Tons in 2012 year). The demand keeps increasing; possibilities of increasing exporting jams; there is no strong competitors.

29

Introduction of High Yielding varieties of Strawberries and Raspberries in Kyrgyzstan

and creating of nurseries and growing them in nurseries/ greenhouse throughout the year. Breeding new varieties utilizing ‘tissue culture technologies’ at specialized laboratory.

Build women’s capacity in business and marketing; training of farmers can bring lot of improvements.

Introduction of new services and technology for processing berries jams/drinks/ juices/ concentrates / preserves / freeze-drying berries/ utilization of fruits in cosmetics companies.

Iintroduce branding, new size and labeling, packaging; selling it packed in small 250g

and 500g punnets (small baskets for fruit) at local markets and to supermarkets at higher prices.

Availability of several processing plants in Kyrgyzstan, but volumes are still relatively insignificant. Need cooperation among processors so that they revamp their old technologies for processing of fruits and enhance capacities for production and employment of women.

Agro Horizon Project may target households as a basic economic unit; both men and women within the household shall participate and benefit equally. Women will be targeted for certain activities that they predominantly manage, such as kitchen garden

berries production. The programme may encourage the active participation of both sexes in training activities and use of advisory services so that information is available for joint household decision-making, so that women are not excluded from management and operational tasks. Priority may be given to female-headed households in targeting beneficiaries.

Positive outcomes of berries production in small homestead land increased self-

confidence of rural women; increased decision-making capacity of Smallholder Female Farmers at home, increased financial solvency; increased acceptance in the family and society; and increased ability to provide their children with education and nutritious food.

Given the current small farm size and low productivity coefficients, there is ample scope for improvement gender issues in VC and women’s empowerment giving the right stimulation and incentives in the form of market access, which the Agro Horizon Project seeks to address. Improving productivity per unit area as well as returns to labour should increase women’s household incomes while stimulating the rural economy in general. This is in keeping with the government strategy to improve private sector efficiency and investment.

Opportunity of ‘value-added’ products: Local consumers consume more fresh strawberries and raspberries and convert partly to homemade jams. Today, few

30

number of traders sell packed strawberries, raspberries to supermarkets. Bazaar sales

of fresh strawberries and raspberries are growing. Year after year, supermarkets absorbing tons of fresh berries. Raspberry juices and strawberry juices are produced by some companies. Production of conventional dried berry products is also still limited, since the conventional drying process requires the use of fresh berries. Organic juices, concentrates, and purees, could be produced in KR as value added produce and exported to foreign countries. Organic frozen berries also could be exported.

31

CHAPTER V: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POSSIBLE INTERVENTIONS

CONCLUSIONS

Majority of the female and male participants of the FGDs and key informants indicated that the positive outcomes of berries production in their own small homestead land increased self-confidence; increased decision-making capacity of Smallholder Female Farmers at home, increased financial solvency; increased acceptance in the family and society; and increased ability to provide their children with education and nutritious

food they receive from berries consumption -fresh or Jams.

Based on the outcome of Focus Group Discussions in the villages of 4 ‘rations’ visited, and in addition to KIIs conducted with 13 key informants, extensive observations and discussions with women and men farmers, it was revealed that in production, income consumption & nutrition, marketing, supporting livelihoods, food security levels women play crucial role in VC of Strawberries/raspberries. Based on that the Agro Horizon Project may target households as a basic economic unit; both men and women within the household shall participate and benefit equally. Women may be targeted for certain activities that they predominantly manage. The programme may

encourage the active participation of both sexes in training activities and use of advisory services so that information is available for joint household decision-making, and so that women are not excluded from management and operational tasks. Priority may be given to female-headed households in targeting beneficiaries.

Given the current small farm size and low productivity coefficients, there is ample of scope for improvement gender issues in VC and women’s empowerment giving the right stimulation and incentives in the form of market access, which the Agro Horizon Project seeks to address. Improving productivity per unit area as well as returns to labour should increase women’s household incomes while stimulating the rural economy in general. This is in keeping with the government strategy to improve

private sector efficiency and investment.

Family and community support for female berries growers is crucial to their success

as women face unequal opportunities compared to men because of social customs and norms. Typically, some women only become business person when she becomes the head of her household.

If women berries growers could organize groups or cooperative’s it would have given the power for bargaining or negotiations with others for gaining benefit for

32

themselves. Women usually play the role of seller and vendor on the street or in bazar

their products berries. They usually sell their own products when they are new or at the beginning of the season to get better price and when they products are abundant. If women could organize and can produce berries in bigger plots or in the field they could find a markets not only inside of the country but also outside of Kyrgyzstan. They can also process the fruits at homestead level and sell them as processed concentrate/jams (Varenye). Then they will automatically as per the need of time will be interested to add value to their products and learn how to do that. Now only few berries women growers in Batken/Jalalabad areas sell their berries to some old processing factory. Agro Horizon project may support/ link women to those factories and help with better women friendly technologies. Then’ automatically the women berries growers of these areas will be benefited and other women will have

employment opportunities there.

If women will be given the opportunity to trainings on production of berries they can come up with organizing of their own groups for better bargaining with processing companies. They can come up with value chain issues with the processing companies and USAID-Agro Horizon project can organize production oriented trainings for women berries growers, support them with new high yielding varieties, necessary agro-inputs, technologies, value chain trainings, and linking with processing companies.

At Naryn area, some research works could be sponsored by Agro Horizon project to conduct a research in 2-3 berries growing villages and give proper recommendations

on all stages of berries VC (production, marketing processing etc.) and VC of these fruits for women’s economic empowerment.

While some existing private fruits processing companies at Batken area have made some efforts to incorporate women’s interests by signing agreement to ‘sell and buy’ and supporting financially for production of Strawberries and Raspberries during berries growing season into their companies, others see this as a challenge which is difficult to address.

There exists weak support/cooperation between the local government and small scale farmers.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POSSIBLE INTERVENTIONS

1. Facilitate providing knowledge and information to women berries growers by providing technical

advice/ advisory support/ extension services at village level of Agro Horizon project intervention

areas by creating trainings opportunities for women small house holds producers and new women

berries growers.

33

2. Assist in improvement of the quality of the current planting materials through technical training.

3. Disseminate the new knowledge and technology in a sustainable way making sure that women

and other small producers will be able to benefit in the economic activity

4. Secure high quality seedling material supply (of Raspberry & Strawberry) with the assistance of

partnership international nurseries. Support establishing/creation women friendly berry nurseries

for growing new HYV of Raspberries and Strawberries certified seedling materials and runners of

new varieties through implementation of grants and training at project intervention areas which

will increase the overall yields and income.

5. Consider supporting the establishment of vertical linkages between traders/processors and

number of female farmers through contract farming on pilot farms.

6. Facilitate establishing links of women berries growers with fruits agro-processing companies and

increase management capacities of company manager/staff through trainings

7. Facilitate organizing women in groups and cooperative.

8. Support with appropriate technology for women for land preparation, irrigation and plant

protection, packaging for marketing adding VC

9. Create mechanism/techniques to protect fruits from birds and cattle, handy technology for

processing and preservation for women who preserve/process berries at homestead level.

10. Provide farm and processing machinery for women household users.

11. Support technical training in the process of development of new innovative value added products

12. Support through trainings for introduction of food safety standards

13. Facilitate introduction of High Yielding varieties of Strawberries and Raspberries in Kyrgyzstan and

creating of nurseries and growing them in nurseries/ greenhouse throughout the year. Breeding

new varieties utilizing ‘tissue culture technologies at specialized laboratory.

14. Build women’s capacity in business and marketing through appropriate trainings.

15. Introduce new services and technology for processing berries jams/drinks/juices/ concentrates /

preserves39/ freeze-drying berries. Iintroduce branding, new size and labeling, packaging.

39 ‘Варенье (Varenye)’

34

Encourage selling it packed of small 250g and 500g punnets /small baskets for fruit at rural local

markets and urban supermarkets.

16. Facilitate cooperation among partners of processor chains so that they revamp their old

technologies for processing of fruits and enhance capacities for production and employment of

women.

17. Support development of direct linkages between the processors with identified export markets.

18. Support a preparation of detailed market analysis for domestic market and specific identified

export markets in Kazakhstan and Russia for North Kyrgyzstan regions.

19. For marketing competitiveness improvement support the links between women farmers and processors/traders, support advocacy and marketing campaign, support in capacity building of women’s associations, support the links with large supermarket chains

35

REFERENCES/SOURCES LIST

(OTHERS GIVEN: INSIDE REPORT/ON REFERENCE FOOTNOTES)

1 Analysis of selected value chains in Kyrgyzstan: apples, apricot, walnuts, kidney beans, raspberry and strawberry, ICCO, Helvetas, KR, Bishkek, 2015

2 Addressing gender equality in agricultural value chains: Sharing work in progress; Anna Lavin and Noortje Verhart; March 2011

3 ACDI/VOCA Gender is Key to Smart Development and Empowering People; Women and Men Central to Economic Growth in Emerging Markets; http://www.acdivoca.org/gender-equity

4 ACDI/VOCA Gender Analysis Report KR Agro-Horizon project, 2015

5 ACDI/VOCA value chain frame work www.acdivoca.org/valuechains

6 Gender Value Chain analysis, Marianne Sulzer, 2015

7 Gender and value chains: practical toolkit to integrate gender prospective in agri. VC development; Agro-pro Focus, 2014.

8 GIZ VC analysis, Promotion of sustainable economic development in Kyrgyzstan, 2015.

9 The methodology of Focus Groups: the importance of interaction between research Participants; Jenny Kitzinger 2009.

10 The National Report on the state of the environment of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, 2012

11 USAID handbook promotion gender equitable opportunities in Agro-VC,2009

12 USAID-Agro-Horizon project year 1 report, 2015

13 USAID Agribusiness project, Servia Cultivated berry VC assessment, 2008

Strawberry plant Raspberry plant

36

ANNEXURE - A

METHODOLOGY AND WORK PLAN

Gender analysis in value chain of Strawberry and Raspberry

Work Plan and anticipated methodology of gender value chain analysis tools that was used, sampling plan, timeline of fieldwork, and drafts of all tools.

Methodology ACDI/VOCA appointed short time Senior Gender Consultant initially developed the methodology according to the SOW and later it was amended/revised through a 2-days long

discussion workshop with the gender team comprising of Agro Horizon Gender Mainstreaming Manager, Ms. Umut Egemberdieva and Advisor for Women's Economic Empowerment in M4P-Ms. Jane Gisin, during 14-15 January 2016 at Osh office of Agro Horizon Project. This methodology and questionnaire was sent to COP with a copy to Director, M&E, Agro Horizon project for approval. And it was followed by the consultant and the gender team for conduction of 8 FGDs in 4 regions and the probable questions were also followed for the key informant interviews (KII).

Work plan divided into 3 parts:

1. Conducted a desk review of publications and project documents related to gender and VC in Kyrgyzstan.

2. Flew from Bishkek to Osh. Met all members of Agro Horizon project working in Osh. Conducted a 2 days’ discussion workshop in Osh with gender team. During this time the gender team with the consultant worked more on questions, detailed the work plan and schedules, contacted key informants, finalized the list and FGD participants and shared of questionnaire with the team and finalizing the questionnaire for FGD and questions for KII. sending to COP & director M&E, sought financial/ administrative approvals from COP for support service/logistic works. the team actualized/finalized the questions for FGD and KIIs

3. As per finalized work plan the consultant with the gender team visited all 4 project areas and conducted 8 FGDs and 13 KIIs

These included the following: 3 1. A Survey form which was filled up by the target focus group participants

(translated into Kyrgyz language)

2. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) (translated into Russian language) questions

3. Focus Group Discussions questionnaire (translated into Kyrgyz language)

The aim of each of these research tools was to collect information from both men and women on gender roles and relations along the agricultural value chain. Specifically, the tools assessed the following:

37

Women’s and men’s roles in various stages/activities, ownership and decision

making over resources and assets of Strawberries/ Raspberries production and use of agricultural inputs and other resources;

To find out answers of four basic questions: 1. Who does what in the chain? 2. Who

determines how things are done? 3. What service and support men and women berries

growers are receiving and what are lacking? 4. What are the challenges they face in VC

including in marketing their products and utilization/control of sales proceeds?

Actor analysis in value chain of soft fruits in 4 intervention regions of work of Agro Horizons

in Kyrgyz Republic

Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and Key Informants Interviews (KII) were facilitated around

three themes; the tool provides guiding questions. FGD were started in small groups (e.g. men

and women separately) and continued in a joint one group of male and female farmers

together.

The questionnaire in Kyrgyz language filling surveys was conducted by the three team

members + interpreters through the delivery of 80 questionnaires (40 Male + 40 female

berries growers) in 4 Rayon’s within 4 Oblasts (districts) in Agro Horizon target areas just

before starting of FGD. After the filling up of questionnaire in each oblast at least two FGD

were conducted by the Consultant/ Gender Team members for men and women separately.

Consultant also conducted all KIIs, which were held with extension service providers-

agronomists, buyers of berries, experts of rural advisory services, district agriculture departs,

processing companies’ owners or supply chain managers, berries buyers/traders who are

linked with berries production/value chain or farmers. The discussion points of the KIIs

focused on information related to select variables of the survey questionnaires, and on the

experiences of the stakeholders regarding what was needed to berries grower’s men and

women farmers for better VC. The FGDs at the Oblast/Rion levels used a checklist and

guideline as points of departure for discussion with male and female farmers. In addition, a

case study was conducted to explore the concept of empowerment as it relates to the specific

interventions which contributed to gender equal outcomes.

Management issues taken care before going to different areas for conduction of FGD

We have Selected an indoor room/premises with heating arrangement for conduction of FGD40.

- For participants (one for male, another for female) two washrooms were arranged

around, and hot tea/coffee/snakes/Stationary - pen and pencils/markers/flipcharts/forms to fill out the survey attendance sheet

etc. To save time, the discussion outcome (top line findings) were put on a table. Those tables were drawn beforehand on bigger flip-charts ready to be filled up in front of them on board.

- While filling out the survey questionnaire, women and men separately kept separately filled up, so that they did not feel influenced by each other on each other’s answers.

40 As per observations of ‘gender team’ on the pre-test event in Jalalabad on Saturday 16 Jan 2016

38

- Given more time to listen to farmers and get data as much as possible. Used more

open-ended questions while facilitating. Closed-end questions avoided. - Language barrier overcome: Consultant facilitated discussion in Russian. If

needed, used facilitation into Kyrgyz through interpreter!

“Gender analysis of the value chain of soft fruits (Strawberry and Raspberry)” theme was unanimously selected by the experts in a participatory meeting headed by Chief of Party attended by Dy. COP, gender team, M&E Director and consultant of the Agro Horizon project.41

Based on the Eight following criteria42 Strawberry and Raspberry subsectors were selected as these fruits have excellent:

Solid demand of fresh and processed fruits at home and abroad Income Potential for women growers Large growth potential for exports of fresh fruit, frozen retail packs, and value-added

products such as dried berries, culinary ingredients (powders, extracts, etc.), concentrates and purees, organic products, and other retail products

Importance to Food Security and Nutrition for Agro Horizon project Impact on Women: Gender and Youth participation. Reach: Number and distribution of potential beneficiaries Relevance: Appropriate for both household and commercial farms; relative current

importance in local agriculture. Good profitability, Potential for intensification/expansion Potential for Agro Horizon project success

Other decisions taken on amendment of SOW:

As there was any need to hire ‘service provider’ to accomplish the assignment and to

conduct a surveys, it was decided that ‘the training of the service providers as a part of the SOW should be dropped. It also seemed unrealistic to organize training in the use of the gender value chain analysis tool to Agro Horizon staff and the local service provider within such a short time for all the SPs all over KG.

It was also decided to cover all 4 oblasts of the Agro Horizon project for conduction of FGDs and KIIs

TARGET GROUPS

It can be applied in mixed groups (men and women), preferably ‘women headed households’ and couples (marriage) in rural programs, farm family (poor, small, medium farmers, etc.) organizations of producers of soft fruits or entrepreneurs. FDGs were conducted in all oblasts relevant for Agro Horizon. In each oblast at least one FGD for both varieties together will be conducted for men and women separately. Participants are

41 Meeting held on 11 January 2016 in Bishkek Agro Horizon Project office 42 Kyrgyzstan Agro-Horizon VC analysis-fanal-15 Dec 2014 page 6-8

39

those who have already grown soft fruits before with or without support of Agro Horizon or

other training providers.

Oblast Rayon FGD Soft fruit variety

Jalalabad Chatkal/Alabuka 1 men / 1 women group Straw- / Raspberry

Naryn Naryn 1 men / 1 women group Straw- / Raspberry

Osh Kara-Suu 1 men / 1 women group Straw- / Raspberry

Batken Leilek 1 men / 1 women group Straw- / Raspberry

Totally 13 KIIs were complemented the 8 FGDs. KIIs were held in each oblast with following the following interviewees: Representative of processing company

Representative of Rural Advisory or Extension Service (Agronomist)

Representative of the District Agriculture Department

Representative of market buyers (bazaar)

Step 1 Guiding questions on roles of men and women

1. While producing soft fruits like Strawberry and Raspberries what role do men and women play

during planting/caring for plants/ controlling diseases/pests/ better production/ marketing?

2. Which daily activities are undertaken by women and men at each level or function of the

chain?

3. How much time do they invest into raspberry and strawberry production?

4. What kind of activities is conducted by boys and girls?

Matrixes was used to present the outcomes of the discussions.

Activities Men women Mixed

HH

boys43 girls44 Comment

Selection of variety

Buy runners (or seeds)

Land preparation

Fertilizing (organic or

chemical)

Acquiring agro inputs

(fertilizer, insecticides etc.)

Planting runners

Caring of plants

-mulching

-weeding

-trimming

Fetching water/irrigating

43 Workforce in family/household 44 Workforce in family/households

40

Decides about method of

fertilizing and pest +disease

control

Applying pest control

Applying disease control

Harvesting

Sorting

Packaging

Storing

Other value addition for

marketing

Which?

Home processing for home consumption or

market?

Marketing / selling

Price negotiation or

bargaining

Control sales proceeds

Decision over income for

spending

Others (please specify), if any

Step 2 guiding questions for the debate on access to and control over resources

1. Do women possess land, house or other resources? Are these legalized in their names/ can

they sell them?

2. Can women decide which soft fruits to grow?

3. Which working tools do men and women possess (men and women) for cultivating,

harvesting, processing, transporting and other activities?

4. Which other agro inputs (seeds, fertilizers [organic and inorganic), pest and disease control,

etc. women have access to? How does this differ to men? From which source do women /

men get agro inputs (provider)? How sustainable is this input supply?

5. Which skills and access to technology/training have men and women?

6. Do man and women have access to credit; are there differences in amount or credit

conditions? Do you use credit or loans for producing berries? For what? In which months

usually? Where do you get the money from? Do you have difficulties to repay?

7. Where do women get knowledge about agricultural production - berry production - from?

Does that differ for men? What are constraints to access such knowledge?

8. Are women part of a network, farmer groups, associations, unions etc.? What are constraints

to become member of such groups/organizations? Does that differ for men?

9. Do women have easy access to local fresh market or processing companies? Who negotiates,

signs contract, is responsible for delivering the supply?

10. Do the women like to expand the area of cultivation? What are constraints to such expansion,

what she lacks and what support she wants?

11. Do you like to adopt the soft fruit cultivation as “family business”?

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12. Do you think you are fulfilling partly your family’s ‘nutrition’ from your own growing fruits?

How much of the produce (in %) do you use for own consumption? How much is bought by

neighbors and the immediate community?

Table 2 Access to and control over resources 45

Resources Who own the

resource

Who has

access

How is it

used? Do you

use it for

berries?

Who decides

over its use

Comments

Land

Machinery

(Drip) irrigation

Tunnels

Credit

Savings Where from? How frequent?

Knowledge /

training

Networks /

groups

Which ones? Extent of

participation/membership?

Expansion Wanted?

Transportation

Marketing What channels? To whom?

Where?

Value adding /

processing

Manually? Mechanically?

Sale proceeds /

income

Step 3 guiding questions for reflection on decision making

1. How is the money used/where the money goes that is generated with the sales of products?

How is income redistributed within the family?

2. How is it invested? Who decides mostly about the investment form? In whose name are the

new assets purchased or savings accrued?

3. What kind of control do women have over income and resources that they generate?

4. How do women participate and negotiate in decision-making inside the household?

45 Source: Gender and learning Team, gender and development training center, adapted by Patricia Lindo, 2007

42

Table 3 matrix decision making 46

Decision activity How men participate How women participate

Getting credit

Marketing of berries

Spending income

Saving money

Buying productive assets

Buying household assets

Step 4 guiding questions for existing support 1. Have you already received some support or trainings for berry production?

2. What was useful, what is missing?

3. What was the benefits and impacts of the support/training?

4. What kind of support you need to expand your berries production?

Actor analysis value chain of soft fruits at all selected areas

typology Socio-economic

characteristics of the household

How are women

involved?

Access to and control over

resources by women

Impact on the lives of

men and women of soft fruits growers

Comments

Female headed households without male adult

Poor farmer households

Small farmers HH

Medium producers

46 March Candida, 1996, ‘concepts and frameworks for analysis and planning in terms of gender’, OXFAM, UK

43

VC Map

KEY INFORMANTS Interview (KII)

QUESTIONS FOR AGRONOMIST-EXPERTS FROM RURAL ADVISORY SERVICES/EXTENSION

SERVICES/BUYERS OF BERRIES

GENERIC QUESTIONS: 1. In which areas are male / female farmers in your areas growing berries? Are berries mostly grown

in homestead garden or in the field? Who grows which type of berries mostly? What are the

conditions to grow strawberry and raspberry? Where are potential areas to grow berries in your

area?

2. Do you think that the kitchen gardeners of berries growers considered as farmers?

3. Where do women obtain the runners of berries/seeds that they grow in your areas? How does

that differ for men?

Value Chain for Berries Service Providers

Foreign Markets

Export Foreign processors

Wholesalers

Retailers

Bazaars/ markets

Processing plants: 5%

Export

Sales

Processing

Financial

institutions

(FINCA, Bai

Tushum, banks);

Agri-consulting

(TES, RAS);

KyrgyzAgroBioC

entre;

Central

Specialized

Control

Toxicological

Laboratory

Kyrgyz Agro

Chemical Soil

Station

Collectors

Home processing:

60%

Individual Peasant Farms and households: 99%>175.000

Collection

Production

Input

Land Seedlings Fertilizers Chemicals Labor

VC stages

Irrigation

44

4. Do they use any sort of machinery in growing berries, if so are those different from other usual

agricultural machineries?

5. Do they use specific technologies or innovations in growing berries? If so, which? Are these

different for men and women growers? Are you aware of any technologies or resources that

could help women berries processors?

6. What sorts of fertilizers and pesticides women berries growers/producers use in your areas? Do

men berry growers use different methods and chemicals?

7. How do women farmers typically water their berries crops and how does this differ from men?

Which (new) technologies are used by women, which by men?

8. Who is responsible for selling berries managed by women and how does this differ from the

berries managed by men? How does the marketing process look like (specifically for selling to

fresh market, to processing companies and maybe traders)?

9. How are income/sales proceeds used in households? For what? Who manages the income from

berry production?

10. Which kind of resources (such as money, extension services, knowledge, technologies, etc.) can

women berries growers access? Do they use them? How does this differ for men?

11. What resources do women berries growers use and control? How does this differ between men

and women?

12. How are the relationships between women berries growers/farmers and input suppliers or

service providers? How does this differ for men?

13. How would you assess women’s level of participation in farmer groups, cooperatives or other

farmer organizations? What are their constraints to participate in such?

14. What rural organizations are women typically members of?

15. What are women’s roles in shuttle trading and vending on the street or in bazaars? What types

of berries do women trade and sell? How does this differ for men?

16. What traditional practices in southern Kyrgyzstan influence control over resources in agriculture

and agribusiness?

17. What community, informal, or self-help groups, if any, have high levels of female participation

and/or leadership? What services do these organizations provide?

18. What potential opportunities do you see for women berries growers/ farmers as entrepreneurs?

19. How can we make agricultural value chains more inclusive of women berries producers?

20. Are there things the government has done that have helped you as an informal business owner?

21. What types of potentially high/ higher value processing is currently done manually by women?

Are there processing technologies that the ACDI/VOCA-Agro Horizon project could connect them

with in order to a) reduce time burden; and/or b) increase profitability?

SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR DISTRICT AGRI DEPARTMENTS

22. Please tell me more about the roles and responsibilities of the District Agro Department. What are your responsibilities and tasks in terms of agriculture planning, production and marketing?

23. Are there any farmers in your district that grow soft fruits, particularly strawberries and raspberries? Where? How much? How is that beneficial to the farmers and the communities (income, nutrition, etc.)? What are the difficulties faced by these farmers in terms of growing soft fruits?

45

24. How the agriculture department planning for production and marketing of soft fruits in

your area?

25. Are the women and men are consulted while planning/marketing on behalf of the government?

26. What sort of support you are providing to male and female berries producers? Does your support to women farmers differ than the one to male farmers? Do you provide any services that target specifically disadvantaged groups and very poor?

27. What resources and services do women farmers have access to? Do women use them?

28. What kind of producer groups exist in the district? Who has access to membership? Who is

actually member?

29. Are there any local actors in your area that work with soft fruits, e.g. processors, traders,

seed/runner or input suppliers, other service providers?

30. What potential opportunities do you see for berry growers, especially women farmers and

entrepreneurs?

31. What kind of support farmers need to expand berries production?

SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR PROCESSING COMPANIES (OWNERS or SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGERS) 32. Tell me what do you process in your company? Are any of the plants are owned by a man or a

woman? How many employees are men, how many women? What kind of jobs do women / men

do?

33. What do think about processing and marketing of berries in Kyrgyzstan? What are the

reasons that these processing plants/ industries are not developing here? What are the biggest constraints to your company and to the sector overall?

34. How much do you produce? Is your production working to capacity? To whom do you sell and to

where?

35. Which soft fruit is more profitable to process; raspberry or strawberry? Why? Under which marketing circumstances are they profitable (import substitution, selling on fresh market, selling to processing company etc.)?

36. Where (villages) and from whom (men/women? Traders, market, direct sale from farm, farmers bring, contract sourcing?) do you buy the soft fruits from? Are there any differences in buying from / having contracts with men or women? What are your buying/sourcing conditions? What are the difficulties in terms of sourcing? What are your

sourcing prices and how do they differ from market prices? How much did the sourcing prices fluctuate in the last years? Why?

37. What Which areas in KG are best suitable for growing/sourcing these berries qualitatively (even

if they do not have a tradition of growing these)? Why?

38. What is the market potential and opportunities in general for Strawberries and Raspberries- not

only for farmers but also for processing companies?

46

SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR BUYERS AND TRADERS

39. How do you identify the people you buy berries from? What kind of products do you trade

besides berries? Where do you buy the berries (produce) from (directly from farm, at market

etc.)? Are they typically men or women who sell the produce?

40. To whom do you generally sell? To any processing company or individual male or female

entrepreneur?

41. How did the price fluctuate in the last 3 years for buying and selling soft fruits? What are the

reasons for the fluctuations?

42. What potential opportunities do you see in the berry sector in general and for berry

farmers?

43. How many trader’s/ street vendors in your field (who purchase berries from

growers/producers) are men and how many are women? Are you formally registered? If not,

what is your level of interest in owning or managing a formal company? What do you see as

the advantages of formal business ownership? What do you see as the disadvantages?

44. Are there state laws, customs, or taxation provisions that make it hard for you to run your

business?

45. Are there things the government has done that have helped you as a vendor/trader?

Data collection and analysis methods: Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods will be used to conduct gender analysis at the grass-roots level. Small-holder farmers (equal number of male and female from each groups) have been interviewed through structured questionnaire while Focus Group Discussions (FGD) has been conducted with same groups. Furthermore, Key Informant

Interview (KII) were conducted with agronomists-experts from rural advisory services/extension services/buyers-traders of berries/processing companies and other such service providers who are linked with berries production farmers. In addition to these, a case studies will be conducted. It is also worth mentioning that, FGD, Key Informants Interviews (KII) and Case study were conducted to identify the qualitative aspect. Questions through questionnaires will be asked to:

Grass roots farmers both male (50%) and female (50%)

Questionnaire filling to gather quantitative primary data

Gender analysis questionnaire has been developed to get personal information, what does they grow, how much land they own, what does they grow in kitchen garden, what roles and responsibilities they have, regarding ownership and decision making over resources and assets etc. to test how well respondents (men and women) FGD participants are correlated with household measures of well-being. The questionnaires were designed with some relevant questions for men and women so that respondents were able to answer the questions as they expressed from their perspective.

47

The assessment managed to 59 respondents (29 males, 30 female farmers) in the rural areas

in the Raions of Chatkal, Naryn, Kara-Su and Leilek. Those districts are renowned for berries production as per beneficiary’s survey conducted by Agro-Horizon project in 2015.

Key Informant Interview (KII)

The discussion points of the KIIs focused on information related to the variables of FGD questionnaire and specific roles the informants play in facilitation better production and other services for the target groups. In addition, any experience of the stakeholders what could be done better to involve berries growers.

figure 1: Map showing Project Location

Focus Group Discussion (FGD) conducted to gather Qualitative data/information Those focus group discussions (FGDs) had objectives:

Determine the current degree of participation of women and men in the berries production,

procurement of agro-inputs, harvesting, soring, packaging, storing, value addition to products,

marketing/selling, price negotiation, or bargaining, control of sales proceeds, decision over

income for spending others particularly as a male and as female farmers.

Identify specific actions Agro-horizon project can take to address the primary constraints

facing women in the better production/participation/VC within the scope of the Agro-horizon

Project.

Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were conducted with a total of 10-12 representatives from each group

at 4 Rayon’s level participants those has been selected from beneficiary’s survey database conducted

by agro-horizon project in 2015.

48

Case Studies

one case study was conducted by the consultant to ascertain the roles and responsibilities of a rural women who has under gone training under the agro Horizon project is producing, selling, utilizing the sales proceeds of raspberries and ‘dreaming’ about a processor for preserving her fruits so as to sell them in off season and make money for the benefit of her family members has been placed in Annexure C.

Data Processing, Management & Analysis and reporting

Field level data collection processed, investigated by the consultant and key findings were apprised to the Gender Team and ACDIVOCA Director of Gender mainstreaming & Women Empowerment Dr. Jenn Williamson at Osh on 2-3 Feb 2016. Gender consultant wrote the

final report including conclusions and recommendations.

Design other gender analysis based on this example

This methodology is intended to motivate and help others in integrating a gender perspective in other crops based on this model of methodology applied for Strawberries/Raspberries (soft

fruits) gender value chain development, by providing practical tools for all stages of the value chain intervention. This toolkit maybe treated as model guideline for future use. Questionnaire for FGD Participants :

Dear participant,

Please fill out following questionnaire as truthful as possible. This will help us to get better data and have a better discussion based on your answers.

Thank you!

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Please, write your data accurately and choose the right answers for you by ticking () the boxes.

Name (full name):

Date of birth:

Gender: □ male □ female

Address: Oblast: □Osh □Jalalabad □Batken □Naryn □Other:

Rayon: Aiyl aimak/Town: Village:

Contact Info: Tel.: Email:

_________________________________________________________________________HOUSEHFARMER INFORMATION

Name of HH Head:

49

Do you live under the same roof with the head of HH: Yes No?

Marital Status: Single Married Divorced Widow

Total number of HH members: ____________

that includes; □ female, ages of 18 – 49: □ female, age 50 +: _____

□ male, ages 18 + □ Children, till 17 years:

How much land does your households have? Own _____sotka Rented ______sotka

What does your household grow?

Fruits (trees): □ Apricot ____□ Apple_____ □ Cherry (sweet) _____ □ Other ______

Berries (Ha): □ Strawberry _____ □ Raspberry ____ □ Other_____________

Vegetables (Ha): □ Tomato _______ □ Cucumber ________ □ Potato ______

□ Onion________ □ Garlic ____□ Cabbage _____ □ Other(s):

What do you grow in your kitchen garden?

_________________________________________________________________________

How many animals does your household have?

Animals (number): □ Cow (milk) ____□ Cattle____ □ Sheep/Goat ____ □ Horse ___ □ Poultry ____□ other/s (specify):

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

XXX means activity is exclusively done by this group XX means activity is mostly done by this group X means activity is shared

Activities Men women boys girls comment

Selection of variety

Buy runners (or seeds)

Land preparation

Fertilizing (organic or chemical)

Acquiring agro inputs (fertilizer, insecticides etc.)

Planting

Caring of plants -mulching -weeding -trimming

Fetching water/irrigating

50

Decides about method of

fertilizing and pest+ diseases control

Applying pest control

Applying disease control

Harvesting

Sorting

Packaging

Storing

Other value addition for marketing

Which? Home processing for home consumption or

market?

Marketing / selling

Price negotiation or bargaining

Control sales proceeds

Decision over income for spending

Others (please specify), if any

OWNERSHIP AND DECISION-MAKING OVER RESOURCES AND ASSETS

Resources Who owns the resource/ asset?

Parents Husband Me Others

Who has access

Parents

Husband Me Others

How is it used? Do you use it for berries?

Who decides over it

comments

Land

Machinery

(Drip) irrigation

Tunnels

Credit

Savings

51

Sale proceeds

/ income

Others

PROCESS AND DECISION-MAKING OVER RESOURCES

Who has access to

Who uses these access

Who decides

How is it used? Do you use it for berries?

Comments

Knowledge / training

Will be discussed in groups

Networks / groups

Expansion

Transportation

Marketing

Value adding /

processing

52

Work plan and implementation matrix

Activity From 10 Jan 2016 to 10 Feb 2016

Arrival of sr. gender consultant in Bishkek and meeting

ACDI/VOCA Agro Horizon project COP and other

colleagues in Bishkek

11

Joining the team of Gender mainstreaming manager

from Osh, selection of value chain with COP, DCOP and

others, meeting M&E Director. Selection of

Strawberry, Raspberry for gender analysis in VC, taking

other decisions for further work.

12

Travel to Osh, work on questionnaire, methodology.

Finalization of methodology & WP, submitted to COP

for review & comments.

13-

14

Sharing of questionnaire with the gender team and

finalizing the questionnaire for FGD and questions for

KII. Sending to COP & Director M&E for comments and

approval. Contacting & Finalizing Key informants.

15

Travel to Jalalabad from Osh and Field test of FGD

questionnaire and return to Osh.

16

Sa

t

Methodology finalization update the survey tools as

per observations from Jalalabad and chalking work

details work plan by Consultant. Translation of

questionnaire/questions into Russian/Kyrgyz.

17

Su

n

53

work more on beneficiaries’ number and logistics.

contact key informants and arrange meetings with

them for KII within next 5 days

18

Conduction of FGD + KII at 0sh 19

Leaving from Osh for Batken. Conduction of FGD in

the morning +KII in the evening at Batken

20

Conduction of FGD in the morning +KII in the evening

at Batken

21

Conduction of FGD in the morning +KII in the evening

at Batken Back to Osh

22

holiday sat, writing a case study by consultant 23

Holiday Sun, writing a case study by consultant 24

Travel to Jalalabad. Conduction of FGD + KII at

Jalalabad, Ashkalak

22

25

Conduction of KII at Jalalabad AlaBuka Rion and return

to Osh by car

26

Tu

Back to Bishkek from Osh 27th, and work half day ,28th

work in Bishkek Agro-horizon office

27

w

28

th

Travel to Naryn from Bishkek by road and in Naryn 2

days FGD+KII Travel back to Bishkek on 31st Sunday

29

F

30 3

1

54

Analysis of collected data/ converting into results and

putting outcome/results in tables and charts of FGD

+KII by consultant; Fly to Osh from Bishkek 3 Feb.

Meeting/ de-briefing findings/ outcome of the mission

to Dr. Jenn Williamson, Director of Gender

Mainstreaming & Women’s Empowerment, Wash D C

ACDI/VOCA 3-5 Feb 2016 in Osh; Writing of literature

review of the report by consultant, half day after

arriving in Bishkek from Osh at noon.

1

M

2

T

3

W

4

Th

5

F

½

da

y

Draft Report writing by consultant Sat-Sunday 6-7

Feb,16

6 7

Debriefing of main outcome to ACDI/VOCA Agro-

Horizon project staff. Adaptation of results

recommendations. Final Report, soft copies of

research materials etc. submission by consultant to Dr.

Jenn Williamson, Alisher, DCOP or Mr. Martin West-

COP of Agro Horizon Project, ACDI/VOCA.

8

M

on

leaving Bishkek for Dhaka 9th at noon 1:55 return to

Dhaka 10 Feb 2016 morning at 6 AM by Turkish

airways

9

Fe

b

10

Fe

b

55

LIMITATIONS

The gender analysis VC of Strawberries and Raspberries aimed to collect data related to gender roles and responsibilities at all levels of agricultural value chains over the course of just 22 days with the support of only two members of gender team and an interpreter. Within this short time had to visit all 4 project areas which took lot of time to travel from one place to another.

Due to time restrictions, the research team was not able to ask about all gender VC issues

that could impact or be affected by Agro Horizon. Instead, the research team selected questions that were directly related to the contract requirements.

As there was any need to hire ‘service provider’ to accomplish the assignment and to conduct

a surveys, it was decided by the gender team that ‘the training of the service providers as a part of the SOW should be dropped. It also seemed unrealistic to organize training in the use of the gender value chain analysis tool to Agro Horizon staff and the local service provider within such a short time for all the SPs all over KG.

During data collection, it was found that the questionnaires designed for the semi-structured interviews and focus groups discussions were too long. This happened in part because the majority of focus group participants gave very long introductions and opinions and it took long time too to writing those on flip charts, on the other hand, translation from Russian into Kyrgyz language took longer time than anticipated. The team also eliminated some questions and incorporated others as the work and time progressed in response to the information that

was gathered.

Finally, the interviewers had to modify some focus group questions and activities so that they would work with a translator. Activities that involved writing on a flip chart in particular had to be modified because neither of the focus group leaders knew how to write in Cyrillic. Instead of using words, the project team relied primarily on drawings.

56

ANNEXURE -B

KEY INFORMANTS INTERVIEWs (KII) Q & A

KEY INFORMANTS INTERVIEW (KII)

questions for agronomist-experts/ from rural advisory services/extension services/buyers /processors of berries

ANSWER GIVEN BY # 1

ANSWER GIVEN BY # 2

ANSWER GIVEN BY # 3

ANSWER GIVEN BY # 4

Questions asked to rural advisory/extension services experts (Q #s 1-10), 4 Key informants

Key informant: Jusupaliev Abdytalip

TES Center, Osh. Petrova Street 33 E Date: 19/1/16 Time 9-10 AM

Key informant: Kabyl Satinbaev

Specialist in Osh berries production ksatinbaev@mail.ru tel 0772538010 Date 19/1/16 Time 11-12 AM

Key informant Ibrahim Kyzylkya, Trainer of Trainers;

Agroplast Tot_kyzylkya@rembler.ru Date: 21 Jan 2016 Time: 11:30-12:30

Key informant: Kudaiberdieva Gulzada

Executive Director, Bio Service-public foundation720904 Kyrgyzstan, Jalal-Abad City, Jamashev Street 2, Tel: +9960555600728;g.kudaiberdievva@bioservice.kg ;Interviewed 26/1/16; At 15:15-1600

57

Interview of Mr. Kurbanbai Munpesov, Chief of Naryn SKS office dealing with Agriculture services.

Works with Agro-Horizon project as service provider: 0703260677. Interviewed on 30 Jan 2016 at

10:00 to 11 AM.

There are about 40,000 people live in Naryn area and there are 4 villages situated at different altitudes

-high mountainous, middle level mountainous and plain level mountainous areas. Plain level

mountainous is about 2000 meter higher than sea level. The spring comes here lately than other regions in Mid-May, when only

people can plant Strawberries/ Raspberries. People in one village grow strawberries. There are about 150 women trained by us on

berries production. Strawberries initiate flowers here when vegetative growth has ceased in the summer; long days and cool

temperatures signal flower initiation. The flowers initiate during the summer will bloom in August and produce fruit within 30 days.

Therefore, all of the June-bearing cultivars are long-day plants, according to the length of day under which they initiate flowering.

How did strawberries adapt to areas in the northern latitudes and at high elevations which experience frozen conditions during long

days? The answer is that the strawberries initiate flowers in August when days are still long. These very cold locations have short

growing seasons, therefore causing plants to behave like short-day plants, with a crop being produced in the spring, and plants

remaining vegetative for the remainder of their brief growing season. modern ever bearers are classified as day-neutral because of

their ability to initiate flower buds under various day lengths, we need such variety for Naryn. When light intensity and temperature

are equivalent, ever bearing strawberries produce more flowers, fruit, and runners during long days compared with shorter days. An

understanding of the differences between ever bearing and June-bearing strawberries will allow local growers to make well-founded

decisions when managing their plantings, depending what the potentiality of expansion of these berries production depends. Other

problem is the marketing of berries. When the berries ripe here in August, that time Strawberries are abandoned in local markets

from other parts of the country. But we have trained our women to grow ecological clean fruits on organic fertilizer which is

welcomed by the local buyers. We badly need new varieties of Strawberries which are photo neutral and could be “modern ever

bearers” strawberries varieties. We need that some Research institute conduct research in 2-3 villages and give us proper

recommendations on production, processing of these fruits.

In which areas are male / female

farmers in your areas growing

In all areas but in

homestead gardens in

Generally, Berries

are grown in all

Women and men

from Batken-Kadamjai

We are working with

200 women farmers

58

berries? Are berries mostly grown

in homestead garden or in the

field? Who grows which type of

berries mostly? What are the

conditions to grow strawberry and

raspberry? Where are potential

areas to grow berries in your area?

Do you think that the kitchen

gardeners of berries growers

considered as farmers?

small plots around the

house where they

live.

I have not seen

anybody producing in

a big plot in

commercial ways.

People even do not

know which variety

they are growing.

If there is a market for

selling the fruits,

farmers will be

interested to grow

berries in bigger plots.

Climatic Condition of

our republic is very

much favorable for

growing any sort of

berries.

Anybody who are

growing whether in

homestead or in the

oblasts, areas of

Kyrgyzstan. But

those are grown

best in the south of

the country where

the climatic

condition is

favorable for

growing these crops.

Strawberries and

Raspberries are

grown in small sized

plots of 1-2 Sotok.

Main areas for

growing berries is

Batken oblast

specifically

KadamZai Region.

Farmers of these

region grows berries

at homestead areas

of 10-30 sotok,

mostly grow

Raspberries. These

farmers are in the

areas are growing

Strawberries and

Raspberries mostly in

home gardens and

also in the fields of

1/5- 1 hector.

They grow “Black

Queen and “Zenga-

Zenga” Variety.

Yes, I do recognize

that kitchen

gardeners also are

farmers.

Whole Rayon of

Batken is very much

suitable for

Raspberries and

Strawberries

production. But lots

of farmers are leaving

this land and

migrating to Osh and

Bishkek city and

Russia for works there

who are growing

Raspberries at

Jalalabad area at

homestead gardens.

This area is famous for

Raspberries but most of

the farmers are

growing in small plots

of 20 cotok. They grow

“Black Corona” variety

at their plots. Kitchen

garden growers are

also ‘farmer’ as per our

definition. Our area is

most favorable for

berries growing in

terms of climatic

conditions, soil. But

while there is scarcity

of moisture, they do

not have water for

irrigation if they grow

in the field.

59

field are treated as

farmer in my opinion.

last few years

suppling berries to

south regions

markets of the

country. There are

huge demand of the

Strawberries and

Raspberries fruits

that is why farmers

of this region are

now growing these

soft fruits in ½ and 1

hector of land as

profitability of their

fruits are much

higher than other

crops. From

marketing fruits

from 1 hector of

land of These berries

a farmer is earning

500,000 to 700,000

Com.

and usually they will

not be returning to

work as farmers

more.

60

Where do women obtain the

runners of berries/seeds that they

grow in your areas? How does that

differ for men? Do they use any

sort of machinery in growing

berries, if so are those different

from other usual agricultural

machineries?

The local women and

men obtain runners of

berries from their own

old plots. They do not

use any machineries in

growing berries.

Men culturally hold the

power and control the

levers of decision-

making, but most of the

farm works are done by

women. Women do

everything including

land preparation to

harvest and post-

harvest and

selling/marketing of

products. Increasing

land to fruit and

vegetable production,

not only in homestead

gardens but also in

open fields, in

greenhouses and in

tunnels will increase

profitability of

Vegetable and berry

Widespread variety

of Strawberries is

“Black Prince”

brought from

Chuiskii dolina. the

Main variety of

Raspberries plants

are purchased from

local farmers.

Farmers of

Raspberries use

some technical

machineries

But most of the

works from

production to

harvesting are done

manually. When the

farmers grow

Raspberries in big

sized plots they use

some machineries

like tractors or mini

tractors for land

preparation, in

Women obtain

runners from their

own last year’s

plantation field or buy

from Nabors.

They do not use any

sort of machineries if

the plot size is smaller

like 0.2 ha-0.5 ha but

if the plot size id

bigger than that they

use small power tiller

for ploughing and

land preparation and

also for plant

protection purposes.

Sometimes they use

water pumps for

irrigation of plots.

We have supplied the

plants for 20 com each

including organic

fertilizer and all sorts of

biological methods for

plant protection of

berries. We suppose

that men have easy

access for searching

plants from other

places but women have

limitations for moving

far distances. We used

only indigenous

machineries but any

machines for

cultivation.

61

production and

women’s load and at

the same time

potential for

increasing women’s

income.

between the rows

land loosing, and

weeding

Other works like

protection of plants

from

insects/diseases,

watering of plants,

harvesting, etc. are

done manually

By men and women.

Do they use specific technologies

or innovations in growing berries?

If so, which? Are these different for

men and women growers? Are you

aware of any technologies or

resources that could help women

berries processors?

No. I suppose that if

they could use small

power tillers for land

preparations and any

sort of small spray

machines for

controlling pests and

diseases or any small

pumps for irrigation

when there is dry

season those could be

of great help to

women.

No new technology

is used for this

reason our farmers

are desperately in

want of new

technology which

are used in other

countries

For example, for

procurement of new

varieties of berries it

is need to

demonstrate them

Traditionally women

and men use the

same technology in

growing berries.

If women process

berries at home, they

use old technology

like use sugar: berries

1:1 and preserve

without preserves in

bottles.

They grow the berries

only on organic

fertilizer @ 20T/ha. For

moisture preservation

in the soil., we suppose

this is an innovation

step to preserve the

health of the people

and soil itself. We also

follow 2.5mX70 spacing

between rows and

plants for healthy

growing. Women are

62

to farmers, for

demonstration of

new varieties of

Strawberries,

Raspberries or

working in between

the rows we also

need new

technology.

Women of this area

need water pumps for

irrigation and nets for

protecting fruits from

birds.

using local technologies

for preserving berries

in sugar. They do not

use any innovative

processing

technologies.

What sorts of fertilizers and

pesticides women berries

growers/producers use in your

areas? Do men berry growers use

different methods and chemicals?

how do women farmers typically

water their berries crops and how

does this differ from men? Which

(new) technologies are used by

women, which by men?

I do not know what

pesticide or fungicides

they use. They usually

buy from local

market.

There are any

differences in

machineries for men

or women.

Our farmers most

use organic fertilizer

to grow berries and

very seldom use

inorganic fertilizer of

insecticides/

fungicides

Men do the harder

work in the field for

example cultivating

the land, doing

works in between

rows, irrigation etc.

And women do the

works for harvesting

When they need any

pesticides women

berries growers

usually consult with

the sellers of inputs in

the local market.

What they

suggests, that they

buy. Men also follow

the same.

Same technologies

are used by both men

and women alike.

Women use organic

fertilizers at their

gardens. They seldom

use any insecticides.

Men use the same

methods as women do.

They typically use

water hose to irrigate

berries.

63

and selling or

marketing.

Who is responsible for selling

berries managed by women and

how does this differ from the

berries managed by men? How

does the marketing process look

like (specifically for selling to fresh

market, to processing companies

and maybe traders)? How are

income/sales proceeds used in

households? For what? Who

manages the income from berry

production? Which kind of

resources (such as money,

extension services, knowledge,

technologies, etc.) can women

berries growers access? Do they

use them? How does this differ for

men?

Usually women sell

their produces in the

market. Women in

our areas sell the

fruits in local market

but not to any

processing companies

in our locality. But

income of sell of fruits

are mostly controlled

by men for household

needs. Women or

men small berries

grower usually do not

use or have any

resources from

outsiders like money,

or extension services

or knowledge sharing,

they usually ask their

neighbors.

Mostly marketing of

products of berries

is done by women

. Berries are sold in

the market places of

regions or nearby

cities to get better

price. But lots sell in

bulk to local traders

very few make any

deal with the traders

or factories as the

prices are increasing

year to year. Big

farmers usually

make an

agreement/deal

with processors of

factory who grow

berries in the field

measuring more

than 1 hector of land

Women are mostly

responsible for selling

berries in the market

or to the processing

centers.

How and where the

sells proceeds will be

used is decided by

them. Mostly women

decide. Say in last

year, men and women

participated Agro-

Horizon project

organized training for

berries growers.

Women berries

growers have less

access to extension

services, technologies

or knowledge sharing

but men have better

Women are responsible

for selling berries

managed by

themselves.

Our growers sell to the

local organization

called “Dari leca” some

sort of rural market.

Last year the farmers,

from early sellers got

200 Com/kg here.

64

and harvest good

fruits.

access from different

sources.

What resources do women berries

growers use and control? How

does this differ between men and

women? How are the relationships

between women berries

growers/farmers and input

suppliers or service providers? How

does this differ for men? How

would you assess women’s level of

participation in farmer groups,

cooperatives or other farmer

organizations? What are their

constraints to participate in such?

What rural organizations are

women typically members of?

Money is controlled

by women.

If women berries

growers could

organize groups or

cooperation’s it would

have given the power

for bargaining or

negotiations with

others for gaining

benefit for

themselves.

They cannot join such

organizations for their

responsibilities at

home for raising

children and cooking,

housekeeping etc.

Even men or their

husbands do not like

that they go out of

Now -a-days in every

family, women

control selling of

berries/ fruits and

money

And income of the

family.

If they do not have

access to resources

the question of

control does not arise.

Men has the privilege

over women due to

social cultural norms

of the locality.

There are any

groups/farmers

organizations exists

here for women

farmers.

The women berries

growers use the

resources like land,

water etc. but those

are owned by their

husbands. Women

almost anytime own

any ownership of

resources. Inputs

service providers also

sometimes give advice

to women how to

grow, what to grow

what to buy etc.

65

home and spend time

for any organizations.

What are women’s roles in shuttle

trading and vending on the street

or in bazaars? What types of

berries do women trade and sell?

How does this differ for men?

What traditional practices in

southern Kyrgyzstan influence

control over resources in

agriculture and agribusiness?

Women usually play

the role of seller and

vendor on the street

or in bazar their

products berries. They

usually sell their own

products when they

are new or at the

beginning of the

season to get better

price and when they

products are

abundant.

Women play active

role in all spheres of

Marketing

And trading.

In comparison to

men they are more

responsible in

spending money,

they plan well family

budget and

expenses including

savings.

Mostly women are

trading, vending on

the streets or bazars.

Some women also go

to Tajikistan and bring

here cheap berries to

sell them.

Women are engaged in

shuttle trading in

cloths, vending’ fruits

like Raspberries, apple,

other fruits grown by

them sold out in the

street/bazaar.

Men usually do not go

to bazar for selling their

products. In small

agribusiness women

are there, but in big

business it is men who

are trading there. Even

to other cities. Some

66

big businessmen are

also selling to

Kazakhstan; I have

some statistics that the

share of Kyrgyzstan in

overall strawberry

imports of Kazakhstan

ranged from 85 to 95%

in the last three years!

So we have good future

prospective to sell

these fruits and earn

foreign currencies for

the country.

What community, informal, or self-

help groups, if any, have high levels

of female participation and/or

leadership? What services do these

organizations provide?

The women if

organized in a group

they can be

empowered

Do not have exact

information about

those organizations

but there are lot

such working in

Kyrgyzstan. Mostly

providing trainings

and linking with

other organizations

as far as I heard

The “Agroplast” and

“Kristal” local

processing companies

are supporting

women berries

growers with agro-

inputs and credit so

that in return they sell

the berries to the

company and

We have organized 200

women as “Raspberries

growers”, trained them

on different socio-

economic issues, linked

them to ‘credit’

providers etc.

67

from my friend’s

circles.

reimburse the credit

money.

What potential opportunities do

you see for women berries

growers/ farmers as

entrepreneurs? How can we make

agricultural value chains more

inclusive of women berries

producers? Are there things the

government has done that have

helped you as an informal business

owner?

If women could

organize and can

grow in bigger plots

or in the field they

could find a markets

not only inside of our

country but also

outside of Kyrgyzstan.

They can also process

the fruits and sell

them in bottles. Then

they will

automatically as per

the need of time will

be interested to add

value to their

products and learn

how to do that.

I am very much

optimistic about

women coming up

expanding their

production in berries

and they will

themselves find a

way to process the

produced berries in

mass scale, they

have practical

experiences

processing in small

scale, and market

them as there are

huge demand for

these fruits in and

out of our country.

Only thing is needed

to push them by

encouragement and

some support in

technical aspects.

If women will be given

the opportunity to

trainings on

production of berries

they can come up

with organizing of

their own groups for

better bargaining with

processing

companies. They can

come up with value

chain issues with the

processing

companies.

Government has done

nothing to help

women in business to

develop themselves.

Some NGOs are

working but in low

profile.

Women are our future

potential

entrepreneurs.

Agro-Horizon project

has helped us to train

women in business and

production of

raspberries.

Government is not

doing that much for

women berries

producers but some

NGOs are came up to

help women farmers.

68

What types of potentially high/

higher value processing is currently

done manually by women? Are

there processing technologies that

the ACDI/VOCA-Agro Horizon

project could connect them with in

order to a) reduce time burden;

and/or b) increase profitability?

Now only few berries

growers in Batken

areas sell their berries

to some processing

factory. Those

factories are of old

Soviet era.

ACDI/VOCA or Agro-

Horizon project cold

support those

factories to a modern

one with better

technologies. Then

automatically the

women berries

growers will be

benefited.

ACDI/ VOCA can

help

Women and men

farmers in

procurement of new

technologies for

growing and

marketing/processin

g of berries. There

are lots of gaps and

opportunities to fill

up gaps in every

stages of

production, value

addition, processing

and marketing.

ACDI/VOCA can

organize production

oriented trainings

from women berries

growers, support

them with varieties,

agro-inputs,

technologies, value

chain trainings, and

linking with

processing

companies.

If the potential

businessmen will come

up with establishment

of processing plants for

berries the production

will automatically have

enhanced.

SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR DISTRICT AGRI DEPARTMENTS

11.Please tell me more about the roles and responsibilities of the District Agro Department. What are your responsibilities and tasks in terms of agriculture

Key informant:

Mr. Jamaluddin -

agronomist of Kara

Suu Agro-

Department, Kara Suu

Region.

uarkarasuu@mail.ru

Key informant:

Mr. Shamshir Mamath

Chief Specialist-(agronomist)

Tel: 0772 62 82 15

Key informant:

Nishanbaev Ibrahim

Abdulmanaf

Chief, Alabuka Rayon

Agriculture Department

69

planning, production and marketing? Are there any farmers in your district that grow soft fruits, particularly strawberries and raspberries? Where? How much? How is that beneficial to the farmers and the communities (income, nutrition, etc.)? What are the difficulties faced by these farmers in terms of growing soft fruits? How the agriculture department planning for production and marketing of soft fruits in your area? Are the women and men are consulted while planning/marketing on behalf of the government?

And Mamedov

Kubanych

Interviewed: 19 Jan

2016

Time: 14:00-14: 45

Tel: 0555076363

The Rayon (district)

agriculture

Department of the

government mainly

responsible for

planning from bottom

to up the production

of different crops of

Leilek Rayon, Kyrgyzstan Govt.

Interviewed on: 22 Jan 2016

Time: 15:00- 16:00

We are planning and administering

agriculture development of the region.

We give all sorts of recommendations to the

farmers for production and all activities. If

any farmer seek helps from us, we link him

with the appropriate person. Though we do

Tel: 0777010116

Interviewed

on 26/1/16

At 9:30 -10:15

The Ala Buka Rayon

Agriculture department

id responsible for

planning major

agricultural crops like

Wheat, Maize,

potatoes, oil seeds,

potatoes, apples,

Grapes, other different

fruits grown in this area

but as Berries are

grown in small plots by

women at homestead

70

the region and also

facilitate solving any

problem farmers are

facing in the regions.

We do not interfere in

marketing. It is

working as per

‘demand and supply’

and open market

theory.

Farmers in our region

grow berries in and

around the house but

not in bulk in the field

that is why we do not

make any plan with

these fruits but do

some planning work

with other major

crops and fruits. And

as per plan

government facilitate

procurements of

agriculture based

not have adequate resource to help but we

have the authority to do so.

We link farmers with recommendations with

credit banks (AU L Bank or PCK Bank)

Who are in need of money for procurement

of agricultural inputs etc.

If requested, we also provide free of cost

trainings to farmers.

areas they are not

counted in government

planning process.

Men are the farmers

and women play only a

'supportive role' as

farmers' wives. Women

are growing soft fruits

at their homestead for

own consumptions and

selling some little

surpluses in local

markets.

They never came to us

for consultations.

Therefore, whenever

agriculture policies are

made or technologies

are developed, men

tend to be considered

as the only end users

with little or no

consideration for

women.

71

inputs by the private

sectors.

Of course, we always

consult grass roots

level farmer’s men

and women while

planning.

12.What sort of support you are providing to male and female berries producers? Does your support to women farmers differ than the one to male farmers? Do you provide any services that target specifically disadvantaged groups and very poor? What resources and services do women farmers have access to? Do women use them?

We do not provide any support directly to

individual farmer. But we do provide all out

support indirectly to all farmers. They should

take the opportunities. The main problem of

this region is water/irrigation of any crop

including berries. Lots of small farmer’s

women specially grow berries but due to lack

of water the berries plants die at the middle

of life. Only 20% people can afford water

through deep/shallow tube wells and surface

water. Rest cannot. So government is

planning to increase the number of irrigation

pumps, it will take time to reach all farmers

within short time.

We can provide training to women if they

approach to us with their needs. We can

provide them any training as we have

We do not directly

provide any sort of

support to berries

growers but we

facilitate and

encourage NGOs to

support them. In our

area there is an NGO

called “Aiilgik Kishesh”

who support women

with plants, runners,

fertilizers etc.

As all works related to

production or

marketing is done by

only women and not by

men, I cannot say that

72

educated technical workforce in the

department.

we support or provide

any services or give any

resources to any group.

13.What kind of producer

groups exist in the district? Who

has access to membership?

Who is actually member? Are

there any local actors in your

area that work with soft fruits,

e.g. processors, traders,

seed/runner or input suppliers,

other service providers?

We do not have such

information or data

base.

I do not have any information about

producers’ groups, but there may be such

groups in private sector.

There are any such

groups here but some

NGOs are organizing

women groups in our

locality.

14.What potential opportunities

do you see for berry growers,

especially women farmers and

entrepreneurs? What kind of

support farmers need to expand

berries production?

There are plenty of opportunities for berries

growing and production. This area is in all

sense favorable for berries growing like the

climatic and soil is excellent

Only problem is water for irrigation. Farmers

need water during the dry period of

production. For raspberries production we

have good varieties, like Rubus, Babie leta,

aganiok Siberia, prigornaya, and others.

There is huge

potentiality for

expansion of berries

growing in our Ala Buka

Rayon as the climate,

soil is very good, only

problem is Water for all

while they need it.

If we could establish

more pumps, as there

are only 7 deep tube

well pumps run by the

73

government, another

by a private sector

man, and those 8 are

not enough for all, we

need more resources to

dig more pumps for

farmers. If this support

is rendered to berries

growers, I suppose that

will be great.

Tell me what do you process in

your company? Are any of the

plants are owned by a man or a

woman? How many employees

are men, how many women?

What kind of jobs do women /

men do?

Key informant : Chief

Engineer of CK

“Agroplast”

City: Batken

Nazarov Hamiduddin

Tel: 0772 27 59 29

Date interviewed:

21/1/16

Time : 11;00-12:00

Shalimiev Alekshander Tiamenovich

And Djurabek Djuraev

AO “Kristall”

City : Shizil Kia

Interviewed : 21/1/16

Time: 14:00-15:00

74

We are in processing

business in this area

for the last 50 years.

We are buying and

preserving, processing

and packaging end

results in our factory

of fruits like apples,

Raspberries,

tomatoes, cucumber,

pumpkin, making

different types of

juices mixed and

100% fresh and

without mixing

preserving chemicals.

That’s why we have

wide markets in

Russian and inside

Kyrgyzstan.

This is an old processing plant previously

used to produce drinking water, sometimes

bear, sometimes fruit juice now processing

and packaging vegetables and fruits of

different types.

This factory is owned by shareholders,

previously owned by government.

Men are doing heavy works women are

responsible for cleaning raw materials,

cleaning, sorting out, cutting, and looking

after the meters of machines etc. packaging

is done by both men and women.

Transportation works solely done by men.

Out of 20 workers 15 are women and 5 are

men working for our company.

Most of the heavy works are done by men

and less heavy works are done by women.

75

The number of

workforce differs

from season to

season. We have

permanent

employees and casual

employees working

throughout the year.

These processing

plants are now under

private sector,

previously under

government. These

are mostly owned by

men.

One of the constraints for women workers is

that they cannot manually handle big/large

size of the bottles, packages, and containers

of processed products- this is not only a

problem for female workers but also for

female customers, but for female shop

owners as well. That’s why I would like to

suggest more women/children-friendly

packaging for producers and purchasers of

processed fruits and juice.

76

. What do think about processing and marketing of berries in Kyrgyzstan? What are the reasons that these processing plants/ industries are not developing here? What are the biggest constraints to your company and to the sector overall?

For processing and

marketing production

must be increased.

The processing plants

are working on heavy

technologies old

Soviet era, need to be

revamping or

replacing by modern

technologies/ building

new ones then we

could make the

products 100% pure

and attractive for

buyers.

Biggest constraints

are flow of raw

materials throughout

the year, old

machines, low output

rate and resources for

changing all these.

We have educated

engineers, good

workers but lack of all

Kyrgyzstan is much behind of other countries

of the World in processing and marketing of

barriers. We have good quality of berries,

very testy and liked by all but due to lack of

buyers outside of our country we cannot

make our stable planning for production. We

may increase our production of berries as we

have lot fallow fertile land and good

experienced farmers only few things are

lacking these are: lack of resources,

technologies, and foreign buyers. We have

good market in Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia

but we could not supply due to stable

production orders from them. We also have

lacking in operating capital, good

management, business, and financial skills

professionals with low level of technological

knowledge support for the agro-processing

arena and poor marketing and product

promotion.

77

these do not allow us

to change our factory

to compete with

world standards. We

are also lacking

appropriate

processing and

ancillary equipment,

proper hygiene and

sanitation practices,

poor quality control

systems,

inappropriate

packaging materials

and high packaging

costs, poor and

unappealing labeling,

absence of branding

to differentiate from

competitors etc.

. How much do you produce? Is

your production working to

capacity? To whom do you sell

and to where?

What and how much

we produce, we sell

them in our country

locally and in Russia.

We have the required

factory capacity and

We are producing much cucumber pickles,

tomato paste, juice and Raspberry jelly but

those are sold quickly in our country. We

have the working capacity to produce more

78

manpower to produce

more, we bought new

technology from

Germany to produce

best quality juice from

different fruits but

our raw materials are

not enough to run the

factory beyond

autumn season. That

is why we are sitting

idle in winter season.

We are only selling

our processed

products in winter.

And that is also not

enough to meet the

demand of the

market.

but we do not make production plan for

instability of market.

Which soft fruit is more profitable to process; raspberry or strawberry? Why? Under which marketing circumstances are they profitable (import substitution, selling on fresh market, selling to processing company etc.)?

Raspberry fruits are

more easy and

profitable to process

because they are not

broken, easy to

process and less loss

in raw materials.

We prefer Raspberry for processing because

it is profitable to process and market. There

is also big demand of the processed fruits.

79

Where (villages) and from whom (men/women? Traders, market, direct sale from farm, farmers bring, contract sourcing?) do you buy the soft fruits from? Are there any differences in buying from / having contracts with men or women? What are your buying/sourcing conditions? What are the difficulties in terms of sourcing? What are your sourcing prices and how do they differ from market prices? How much did the sourcing prices fluctuate in the last years? Why?

There are lots of

demand for these

fruits during autumn,

winter and spring

seasons but we do

not have supply of

raw materials from

producers located in

and around the

factory. We are

bound to buy raw

materials from far

away from the

factory, that make our

costlier of our raw

materials.

We buy fruits from

anybody who brings

to us and we pay

instantly the good

price as in the open

market at factory

gate.

Fruit price is

increasing from year

Stable market and demand of buyers are the

main challenges in supply chain of these

berries.

The sourcing price varies month wise.

Highest price of Berries was in End of May,

reason: -less supply high demand and lowest

price during last week of September, due to

huge supply less demand.

We bought Raspberries from 70-90 Com; And

strawberries 55-70 Com

80

to year in our locality

and in the local

market. That’s why

women producers

defying agreement

with us selling them

to the local market.

The price of

Raspberry in May-

June was as high as

175-200 Com/kg but

it was 60-70 Com

during September-

early October.

What Which areas in KG are

best suitable for

growing/sourcing these berries

qualitatively (even if they do not

have a tradition of growing

these)? Why? What is the

market potential and

opportunities in general for

Strawberries and Raspberries-

not only for farmers but also for

processing companies?

Kadamjai is the best

suitable for

growing/sourcing

these berries

qualitatively due to

most suitable location

and climatic condition

of berries growing.

We can grow these

fruits rain fed and on

organic fertilizer.

There are potential

Batken Rayon is the most suitable place for

growing/sourcing these berries due to most

suitable location and climatic condition of

berries growing. We cannot grow these fruits

without irrigation because of frequent rains

needed for berries production. There are big

potential opportunities for processing

companies as well as for all farmers.

Kyrgyzstan is the major

country of origin for

fresh raspberry, and

strawberries imported

to Kazakhstan, Russia,

still there are other

countries where we

could export our soft

berries if we could pack

and process them

81

opportunities for

processing companies

as well as for all

farmers.

qualitatively to

compete open markets

SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR

BUYERS AND TRADERS

How do you identify the people

you buy berries from? What

kind of products do you trade

besides berries? Where do you

buy the berries (produce) from

(directly from farm, at market

etc.)? Are they typically men or

women who sell the produce?

To whom do you generally sell?

To any processing company or

individual male or female

entrepreneur? How did the

price fluctuate in the last 3

years for buying and selling soft

fruits? What are the reasons for

the fluctuations? What potential

opportunities do you see in the

We went to the local

market places and

could not find any

buyers who trades

with berries in

Spring/Summer

seasons.

We went to the local market places and

unfortunately could not find any buyers who

trades with berries that is why we were

unable to conduct KII with any of them of this

group of key informants.

Other traders told us that they saw women

sellers coming to the market with berries and

sell to traders and buyers.

Alina, a fruit trader at

Naryn market.

Interviewed on 30 Jan

2016At 10 AM

“These winter days we

do not have any fresh

berries at the market.

We have now jams,

jellies, preserves and

no berries for eating

fresh.

Strawberries are not

available in our country

82

berry sector in general and for

berry farmers?

. How many trader’s/ street

vendors in your field (who

purchase berries from

growers/producers) are men

and how many are women? Are

you formally registered? If not,

what is your level of interest in

owning or managing a formal

company? What do you see as

the advantages of formal

business ownership? What do

you see as the disadvantages?

Are there state laws, customs,

or taxation provisions that make

it hard for you to run your

business? Are there things the

government has done that have

helped you as a vendor/trader?

bazaar or stores

throughout the year.

Fresh, locally-grown

strawberries are only

available at roadside

stands, and local bazaar

stores for several

weeks during the late

spring and early

summer. This limited

availability occurs

mostly because the

commercial strawberry

production in Naryn is

derived from June-July

bearing varieties, which

have a brief production

season. This fruit is

grown here limited to

backyard gardens,

because the only

obtainable variety

“Bomba” of ever

bearing strawberries

have small fruit size

and low yields.

83

strawberries are also

available in the local

market throughout the

summer and into the

fall those are brought

from Bishkek., fresh

local fruit sold for up to

200 Com per kilogram.

We the traders during

the summer season buy

fresh berries from Issyk

and Choulpon markets

for 80-100 Com per kilo

and sell those here in

Naryn for min. 150-

max. 200 com./kg. We

sell 50 to 100 kg every

day. We make good

profit from selling

these fruits at this

Bazaar (called

“cainyll”). There are

about 5-8 traders here.

84

ANNEXURE- C A CASE STUDY

‘Things I dream: Good variety and new technology’

Mahabbat in love with her Raspberries babies at her homestead garden

Married to Abdul Hamid (now 53) 28 years ago Muhabbat 47, relied on her confidence and strength to sustain her family of 3 children (Otkurbek 27, Saparbek 25, Ahmedbek18-all boys). After being dependent on her husband for everything in her early years of married life, Muhabbat knew that she needed not only to provide her children with a proper education and essential food but also to put her children in their own feet for better future.

Muhabbat is a rural woman of Kadamzhai Region currently have a Raspberries plot of 20 cotok (1/5 of a hector), earned last year (2015) around 400,000 Com selling 3 Tonne of Raspberries (soft fruits) earning at the beginning of fruiting season in Mid-June @ 175 Com/kg (Around $3) but during the month of August-September about $2/kg in

the local village market. Out of her earnings from fruits selling throughout the months from Mid-June September-October of the last year, she spent from her own earnings from sales proceed of fruits 30,000 for children’s education, 50,000 for first son’s marriage, 200,000 rebuilding their house, rest for house hold needs.

Diary: o Today, she woke up at 6:00 AM, feed her 3 cows, prepared 17 nans (bread)

from 1.5 kg of wheat flour for 3 next days, put the nans under a ‘quilt’ to keep them warm. At 9:30 AM, feed the husband, 3 sons with breakfast then washed the dishes, plates and do other house hold cleaning works.

85

o Goes to the Raspberries plot to see how her little ‘babies’-raspberries plants

are doing in cold fields. Covered them with straws. o Then returned home, prepared lunch, wash cloths and feed the family

members with lunch at 3:30. o Meanwhile, did some sewing works to prepare a warm clothing for her mother

in laws. o In the evening again prepares food for dinner, does other works for warming

up house-putting coal at fireplace as at night the temperature goes much below freezing (last night it was minus four degrees Celsius), cleaning dishes after dinner, sometimes when she gets leisure time watches a part of a movie, or knows from TV what will be the weather tomorrow on TV and goes to bed not early than 11:00 PM, but during summer seasons can go to bed at 12:00

and gets up at 5 as in summer seasons she has to do more work than in winter seasons.

o For the last 28 years she has been following this routine of works, has been raising 3 children but never felt tired.

Upon being asked about her current situation, Mrs Muhabbat says “I badly need good variety of Raspberries plants to grow seedlings for the next crop. Good variety is everything for crops, good variety means good yield…I have seen that if seed or variety is of good quality you will not only get good production at the end of the plant season, but also more money from the production. I saw that if there were a good factory for processing of berries in our locality, as there is a good demand of good quality of new varieties and if I could open a business with good quality machineries to process preservation of fruits in this area, I could also have earned good amount of money from that business and support my family”.

86

I badly need good variety of Raspberries plants and good technology for value addition

of my fruits, I have attended a training course organized by ACDI/VOCA last year and since then I am dreaming myself as a business person, but still do not know when my dream will be fulfilled” ", ..."Dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let me sleep” the fruits production and selling business, which gives her excellent financial returns. “I wish I could have a fruits processing business of my own.”

Muhabbat has been able to improve her family’s standard of living slowly, due to hard work and the support of her husband and children and fellow community organization members. She says, “We have started to live better, thanks God! But still my dream is alive- to give my other 2 children good education for a good profession.

Access to better variety of Raspberries and Strawberries is not only essential for

Muhabat to feed her family, it is a critical resource for everyone in her community. If more women like Muhabat were empowered to open their own agricultural processing businesses, they would not only have income with which to support their families, they could offer services to improve the agricultural productivity of their entire region.

Left picture: Mahabbat at her home showing jam she preserved from her fruits; right picture: She is at her raspberries plot taking care of new plants in spring 2015 (right picture from her collection)

Nizam Al-Hussainy, Kadamzai, 21 January 2016.

87

ANNEXURE - D

GENDER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN PROJECT INTERVENTION AREAS: OSH

Activities Male Female Boys Girls Notes

Selection of variety X47 Decision on variety depends on

who has more knowledge.

Available varieties for Strawberry:

Kobia, Black Prince; for Raspberry:

unknown but local varieties are

available. TES Centre supplied to

one women farmer the runners

Buy runners (or

seeds)

X

Land preparation X Mostly men but if he is not

available then women with

children. Land is usually

registered on men

Fertilizing (organic

or chemical)

X X X X All help with applying fertilizer

Acquiring agro

inputs (fertilizer,

insecticides etc)

X Fertilizer: mineral, organic

(compost, (chicken) dung), cinitra,

“Azot”, superphosphate, “Afol”

Chemicals: phosphor, “Cali”,

“Sherbezo”

Many chemicals and fertilizer

come from Uzbekistan. Boarder

trade conditions make the access

to these products difficult.

Planting X X

Caring of plants

-mulching

Mulching only very little used and

if then by men. Mulching safes

47 X = when majority of the FGD participants agreed on this issue, ‘who is doing what’ we put X in the flip

chart

88

-weeding and

trimming

X X X liquid and fertilizes; done with

dung or dried grass.

Fetching

water/irrigating

X X Mostly men but women

sometimes help

Decides about

method of

fertilizing and p+d

control

X X

Applying pest

control

X X

Applying disease

control

X Sometimes both

Harvesting X Use hired labor for harvest,

especially on big fields of

strawberry. Hired labor is nearly

all women with a lot of knowledge

about berries. Farmers can still

learn from these hired laborers.

Farmers do not pay more because

they are experienced and

knowledgeable.

Sorting X Sometimes they do not sort

Packaging X

Storing X

Other value

addition for

marketing

X Farmers do not add value to the

product usually. Some producing

jams for home consumption and

sell surplus (180 Com)

Marketing / selling X X They sell to neighbors on order,

bazaar, sometimes to traders but

usually not due to small volumes,

no processor. Average price 100-

120 Com /Kg depends on market.

89

Price negotiation

or bargaining

X Price depends on market. About

10-15% is sold on debts.

Control sales

proceeds

X Sales proceeds are received by

men.

Decision over

income for

spending

X X Both. Women keeps money for

HH.

Others (please

specify), if any

GENDER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN BERRY PRODUCTION IN BATKEN

Activities M F B G Notes

Selection of variety X XX48 Varieties not known. Get berries from neighbor,

friends, bazaar, husband

Buy runners (or

seeds)

X XX

Land preparation XX X X If they need a tractor then men and boys, girls help.

They use tractor also for kitchen garden.

Fertilizing (organic

or chemical)

XX X X X Usually dung (mix). Men collect/order it and all help to

apply. 5000soms, big 2000 Coms small truck. Apply

dung only once a year.

Acquiring agro

inputs (fertilizer,

insecticides etc)

XX X “Gumat”: 1 Liter 250 Com.

Planting X XX X X Men are away with other labor; women do the planting

in the kitchen garden with kids. Kitchen garden is a

“woman” thing and “we trust more in us...”

Caring of plants

-mulching

-weeding

XX

XX

X

X

Mulching is not known. For weeding, kids often help.

48 XX=means activity is mostly done by this group

90

- trimming

Fetching

water/irrigating

XX X They get water after midnight to the big channels. Men

do that work. Women however do the distribution of

the field.

Decides about

method of fertilizing

and pest+ disease

control

X XX This depends on who knows more. Often, women were

involved in trainings therefore they take the decision.

Applying pest

control

XX X X

Applying disease

control

XX X X

Harvesting XX X X About 150 kg per sotka for strawberries. Raspberries

not know b/c only for household consumption. They

started to have raspberries b/c they were so expensive

to buy lately.

Sorting They are NOT SORTING b/c that could potentially lower

the price.

Packaging NO PACKAGING

Storing One woman tried to freeze the produce but all spoiled.

Other value addition

for marketing

No processing. They would be interested in producing

yoghurt with berry flavor, jam, jelly, compote (stewed

fruit)

Marketing / selling XX Mostly fresh

Price negotiation or

bargaining

XX

Control sales

proceeds

XX

Decision over

income for spending

X X The household decides jointly about expense but small

expenses are usually more influenced by women and

big expenses by men.

91

Others (please

specify), if any

GENDER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES N BERRY PRODUCTION IN NARYN

Activities M F B G Notes

Selection of variety XX Currant bushes are inherited from parents. Strawberry

runners were bought in Bishkek or inherited. Raspberry

runners received from aunt. The plant are an appreciated

diversification in their diet.

Buy runners (or

seeds)

XX Naryn city bazaar has different local varieties (incl. from

Issyk-Kul) for raspberry, strawberry and currant. One

women sells her runners to the villagers and others.

The one who has time or is interested goes to buy the

runners (men or women). “women usually buy the right

variety!”

Land preparation XX Berries are planted on small fields. Land preparation

done manually by women. Usually children that are old

enough help with everything. For the big fields men do

the land preparation. Mostly corn/wheat, potato and

hay is planted.

Fertilizing (organic

or chemical)

X X Organic Manure (chicken, cow, horse dung mixed and

fermented for few months) is used to fertilize. Men

gather the dung and bring it, women distribute/spray it

and mix it with soil manually.

Acquiring agro

inputs (fertilizer,

insecticides etc)

XX Chemicals, insecticides, fungicides, and chemical

fertilizers they get from RAS (a local NGO) or they ask a

taxi driver / husband to bring it from the city.

Planting XX

Caring of plants

-mulching

-weeding

- trimming

XX

X

X

X

Do not know what mulching is.

Currant does not need much attention, only in autumn a

bit. The knowledge about currant production is inherited

from the parents.

92

Fetching

water/irrigating

XX Men are managing the big channels; women manage the

water among the small channels in the field. This is done

in the evening. They have NO problem with water

(volume nor consistency). They have also access to

running tab water.

Decides about

method of fertilizing

and pest +disease

control

XX It is not considered to be appropriate for women to

handle chemical fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides etc.

Applying pest

control

XX They used to apply chemicals in the past. Now, they

know how to prepare organic pesticides and have other

organic techniques.

Applying disease

control

XX

Harvesting XX Same harvest time than on the big fields (hay, potato) so

men are occupied with that.

Sorting XX No sorting or packaging because only consumed by

household freshly or conserved.

Packaging XX

Storing XX They make jam to conserve it (either with boiling or cold

with sugar). Currant is always boiled

Other value addition

for marketing

XX Jam from strawberries. ‘Compote’ from current and

apple, other dried fruits.

Marketing / selling XX If they would sell, it would be bought by neighbors or

women would bring it to the bazaar. Women would

receive and keep the money from the sale.

“They have no time. Anyway, men do not go to the

bazaar and sell berries, they would be embarrassed and

they would not bring the money back home.”

Price negotiation or

bargaining

XX Prices are fixed by the market by ‘supply-demand’

theory. But women can decide alone on when, where,

what and how much to sell.

93

Control sales

proceeds

XX Women do not necessarily inform men if they have

money left over.

Decision over

income for spending

XX

Others (please

specify), if any

X

94

ANNEXURE - E

FGD RESPONDENT’S DATA, ANALYSIS OF ALL 8 FGDS HELD IN ALL 4 REGIONS

Demographics Coding

Men Name

Women Age [1] 1955-1975 [2] 1975-1995 [3] 1995-2015

3 Gender [1] Male [2] Female

4 Address [1] Osh [2] Batken [3] Jalalabad [4] Naryn

5 Name of household head [1] Self [2] spouse

[3] parents/in law parents

6

Do you live with the head of household under the same roof? [1] Yes [2] No

7 What is your marital status [1] Single [2] married [3] divorced [4] widowed

8 total number of HH members

[1] female ages 18-49 [2] female ages 50+

[3] male ages 18+

[4] chidren till 17

9 how much land does your HH have [1] own-sotka [2] rended-sotka

10 what does your household grow [1] fruite(trees) [2] berrires Ha

[3] vegetables Ha

11

what do you grow in your kitchen garden [1]

12

how many animals does your household have [1] cow, dairy [2] cattle [3] sheep/goat [4] horse [5] poultry [6] other

95

SUMMARY OF FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS IN ALL REGIONS BY MALE AND FEMALE GROUPS

Focus Group Women Men

Activity by region Osh Batken Jalalabad Naryn Osh Batken Jalalabad Naryn

Selection of variety Men49 Women Women Men Men Women Men Women

Buy runners (or seeds) Men Women Women Women Men Women men Women

Land preparation Men men Men Men Men men Men men

Fertilizing (organic or chemical) Men both Men Men Men Women Men Women

Acquiring agro inputs (fertilizer, insecticides etc.) Men Men Men Men Men Women Men men

Planting Women both Women Women Women men women Men

Caring for plants -mulching Men men men both Men men both Women

Caring for plants -weeding Women Women Women Women Women women women Women

Caring for plants -trimming Women Women Women Women Women men women Women

Fetching water/irrigating Men men Men Men Men Women Men both

Decides about method of fertilizing and p+d control All help both Men both both Women Men men

Applying pest control both Men both both Women Men Women

Applying disease control both Men Men Men men Women Men Women

Harvesting Women Women Women Women Women both Women Women

Sorting Women Women Women women Women women Women Women

Packaging Women Women women women Women women Women Women

Storing Women Women Women women women Women Women Women

Other value addition for marketing Women Women Women women Women women Women both

Marketing / selling Women Women Women Women Women Women Women Women

Price negotiation or bargaining women Women Women Women women Women women Women

Control sales proceeds women Women Women Women women Women Women Women

Decision over income for spending Men Women Women both Men both both both

49 when majority of the FGD participants agreed on this issue, ‘who is doing what’ FGD facilitator recorded ‘men’ or ‘women’ or ‘both’

96

ANNEXURE: F

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION IN CHARTS OF PARTICIPANTS OF FGD

OSH PROVINCE BATKEN PROVINCE JALAL-ABAD PROVINCE NARYN PROVINCE

1955-1975…

1975-…1995-…

Age

1955-1975

1975-1995

1995-2015

Men, 6, 60%

Women, 4, 40%

Gender

Men

Women

1955-1975…1975-…

1995-…

Age

1955-1975

1975-1995

1995-2015

Men, 5,

28%

Women, 13,

72%

Gender

Men

Women

1955-1975…

1975-1995…

1995-…

Age

1955-1975

1975-1995

1995-2015

Men, 11, 65%

Women, 6, 35%

Gender

Men

Women

Men, 4, 29%

Women, 10, 71%

Gender

Men

Women

1955-1975…

1975-1995…

1995-…

Age

1955-1975

1975-1995

1995-2015

97

Self, 7, 70%

Spouse, 1,

10%

Parents/in law

parents, 2, …

Who is the head of household?

Self

Spouse

Yes, 9, 90%

No, 1, 10%

Do you live with the head of household under the

same roof?

Yes

No

Self, 9, 50%

Spouse, 9, 50%

Parents/in law

parents, 0, 0%

Who is the head of household?

Self

Spouse

Yes, 16,

89%

No, 2, 11%

Do you live with the head of household under the

same roof?

Yes

No

Self, 10, 59%

Spouse, 5, 29%

Parents/in law

parents, 2, 12%

Who is the head of household?

Self

Spouse

Parents/inlaw parents

Self, 6, 43%

Spouse, 6, 43%

Parents/in law

parents, 2, 14%

Who is the head of household?

Self

Spouse

Yes, 14, 100%

No, 0, 0%

Do you live with the head of household under the same

roof?

Yes

No

Yes, 11, 85%

No, 2, 15%

Do you live with the head of household under the same

roof?

Yes

No

98

Singe, 0, 0%

Married, 5, 56%

Divorced, 3, 33%

Widowed, 1, 11%

What is your marital status

Singe

Married

Divorced

Widowed

Singe, 1

, 6%

Married, 10, 70%

Divorced, 2, 12%

Widowed, 2,

2

What is your marital status

Singe

Married

Divorced

Widowed

Own-sotka,

10, 100%

Rented-

sotka, 0, 0%

how much land does your HH have

Own-sotka

Rented-sotka

Singe, 0, 0%

Married, 10, 77%

Divorced, 2, 15%

Widowed, 1, 8%

What is your marital status

Singe

Married

Divorced

Widowed

Singe, 1, 7%

Married, 12, 86%

Divorced, 1, 7%

Widowed, 0, 0%

What is your marital status

Singe

Married

Divorced

Widowed

Own-sotka,

16, 100%

Rented-sotka, 0, 0%

how much land does your HH have

Own-sotka

Rented-sotka

Own-sotka,

18, 100%

Rented-

sotka, 0, 0%

how much land does your HH have

Own-sotka

Rented-sotka

Own-sot…

Rented-sotka, 0, 0%

how much land does your HH have

Own-sotka

Rented-sotka

Singe, 0, 0%

Married, 10, 77%

Divorced, 2, 15%

Widowed, 1,

8%

What is your marital status

Singe

Married

Divorced

Widowed

99

Annexure G

SUMMARY FROM ALL RAIONS: ACCESS TO AND CONTROL OVER RESOURCES

# Questions asked Answers as per Regions

Osh Batken Naryn Jalalbad

1 Do women possess land,

house or other

resources? Are these

legalized in their names/

can they sell them?

men own the land and are registered but women have access. Not clear if it is equal though.

Mostly owned by men but women can use it too (have access), especially

the kitchen garden is their own domain. They grow berries and other vegetables here. Men however decide over

the use and distribution of land.

is registered on the name of men and children (boys)

Own by men

only.

Avr. 30/40

c0tka land

owned by

family.

Men have

sole authority

to sell the

land, women

do not.

2 Can women decide

which soft fruits to

grow?

yes Both decide yes both

3 Which working

tools/machinery do men

and women possess

(men and women) for

cultivating, harvesting,

processing, transporting

and other activities?

owned and used by men. Seldom women use machines or new

technologies.

Men usually own machinery but only very few households

own machinery. They have tractors and handmade cultivators in the village that they share/rent among

There are machinery and technical services available in the village.

Women have no problems to access those. Usually their husband calls and organizes but if he is gone women do it. Machinery

Owned by

men and

used for

family

household

purposes

when needed

100

neighbors.

They rent the machines they need in the village and surrounding villages. Men arrange the machinery services, also on the

request of women.

operators are

men though.

4 Which other agro inputs

(seeds, fertilizers

[organic and inorganic),

pest and disease control,

etc. women have access

to? How does this differ

to men? From which

source do women / men

get agro inputs

(provider)? How

sustainable is this input

supply?

Yes, women as well of men have easy access to agro-inputs everywhere., but traditionally, men do handle chemical inputs to protect women’s health. Agri. Inputs procurement is sustainable. Inadequate/unreliable agro-input supplies (the big

packaging of inputs is one of the barriers to women purchasing

these agro-inputs like fertilizer/ products, as well as carrying them

5 Do you use Tunnel

technology? men own and both use it. They know

this irrigation tunnels from their parents and use it. They try to improve the tunnels

constantly.

Nearly all families use tunnels. Men

buy the construction materials and women do it and use it for tomato and other

vegetables. They decide together on the expenses to use tunnels.

Some project introduced tunnels and

greenhouses. They also demonstrated drip irrigation in greenhouses

Heard that

drip irrigation

is used in

Uzbekistan

and got good

results

6 Do man and women

have access to credit;

are there differences in

amount or credit

They have access to credit but they do not

They usually do not use credits and avoid it. Only

less interested. They usually do not use

They have

access to

credit but it is

troublesome

101

conditions? Do you use

credit or loans for

producing berries? For

what? In which months

usually? Where do you

get the money from? Do

you have difficulties to

repay?

use because

too expensive.

one wants to

get credit to expand production. Women are restricted to access credits because the men need to get permission

which they often do not do. Men use credits however for their purposes like house, buying plots, car etc.

credits and

avoid it

to get a credit

and

repayment is

also

troublesome.

That is why

do not show

interest.

7 Where do women get

knowledge about

agricultural production -

berry production - from?

Does that differ for

men? What are

constraints to access

such knowledge?

people who are

interested or have free time can access knowledge. Knowledge is accessed usually through television, newspaper, health

committees, WUAs, local municipality- AOs (some mentioned that AO is preferred to receive information). Other

Men do network.

Some women groups and NGOs exist that women can be part of them or benefit from them. Though, they practice “chornaya

касса” (Black savings”). The government however “does not see us”. Information is usually only shared

all households

had cars that are owned and driven by men. Women can however access it when asking the men to drive somewhere. The decision to buy a car is usually made

jointly. Women are often not interested in learning how to drive.

Men do cooperative

network. It is good place to chat and see each other. Some women groups and NGOs are invited to become members of

those groups. Not very much interested as it is spoil of time.

Heard that women’s group

102

options

could be community boards or SMS services. Most do not have smart phones; social media WhatsApp etc. is little used. Word

of mouth (through leader or other recognized village people) is very important to distribute information (but also very

selective).

with men

often in mosques or other gatherings where only men are participating. However, information is usually shared by

men with family and wives.

became

effective after Soviet Union and now these groups are no longer effective.

8 Are women part of a

network, farmer groups,

associations, unions

etc.? What are

constraints to become

member of such

groups/organizations?

Does that differ for

men?

Men and women are members of local network, farmer’s group, associations, unions. No problem to get membership or be involved in group works. Men’s groups differ from women’s group according to their interests.

9 Do women have easy

access to local fresh

market or processing

companies? Who

negotiates, signs

contract, is responsible

for delivering the

supply?

Women have easy access to local fresh market or processing centers. Both discuss at home about the group and discuss

about problems, opportunities with spouse, also discusses about the condition of agreement and sign respected partner for the benefit of their family.

10 Do the women like to

expand the area of

cultivation? What are

constraints to such

Women want to expand the area of cultivation for production. However, due to unavailability of handy technologies such expansion could not be materialized.

103

expansion, what she

lacks and what support

she wants?

Women want technical support in establishing links with

processors so that women could sell their production sustainably to processing plants.

11 Do you like to adopt the

soft fruit cultivation as

“family business”?

yes no no no

12 Do you think you are

fulfilling partly your

family’s ‘nutrition’ from

your own growing

fruits? How much of the

produce (in %) do you

use for own

consumption? How

much is bought by

neighbors and the

immediate community?

first of all, they consume about 50-60% fresh strawberries at home

than other berries. Like raspberries, strawberries are bought in

bulk at local bazaar (markets) just to sell them quickly.

The family consumption fulfills the ‘nutrition’ requirements from

fruits at the early spring

104

Annexure H

Climatic conditions VS Soft berries production in KR

For drawing this graph, Data from source: http://www.climatestotravel.com/Climate/Kyrgyzstan

Berries production in Kyrgyzstan VS Climatic conditions

The climatic conditions such as average temperature, day length and rain fall and other environmental indicators of Kyrgyzstan (see the above chart) favor berries growing in this country. Kyrgyzstan’s climate is continental, with cold winters, and warm and sunny summers, but cooler in the mountains. Average precipitation is moderate in the country as a whole but less during summer (please see above chart), while the east-central (Naryn Oblast) is arid. The Target berries production areas of the project i.e. Osh, is located in the south-west at 1,000 meters of altitude Batken, Jalal-Abad, at 750 meters. During spring-the beginning period of Berries plantation between March in Jalalabad, Osh, Batken but for Naryn is May due to prolonged winter. In Naryn, at 2,000 meters above sea level, the average in January is -15.5 °C, while that of July rises to 17 °C.

Biologically, Strawberries evolve to initiate flowers when vegetative growth has ceased in the fall; When short days becoming long days and temperature is cool signal flower initiation. The flowers initiated during the fall will bloom in the spring and produce fruit within 30 days. Therefore, berries flower during the long length of day under which they initiate flowering. How did strawberries adapt to areas in the

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Day length hrs,Avr TempoC,Avr Rainfall mm of Kyrgyzstan

Avr Rainfall Avr Temperature Day length

Source: http://www.yr.no/place/Kyrgyzstan

105

northern latitudes and at high

elevations which experience frozen conditions during short days? The answer is that the strawberries jettisoned the “short day” mechanisms, and instead initiated flowers in August when days are still long. Naryn being a very cold location have short growing seasons, therefore causing plants to behave like short-day plants, with a crop being produced in the

spring, and plants remaining vegetative for the remainder of their brief growing season. Although modern ever bearers are classified as day-neutral because of their ability to initiate flower buds under various day lengths, their other plant processes do respond to day length. When light intensity and temperature are equivalent, ever bearing strawberries produce more flowers, fruit, and runners during long days compared with shorter days. Average rainfall in Jalalabad/ Batken/Osh areas AVERAGE RAINFALL IN NARYN AREA

Throughout the year, 300 mm of rain or snow fall, so the climate is still arid, but the pattern is different from the Osh, Batken or Jalalabad because there is a relative minimum in winter and a maximum in late spring, with rain possible even in summer, reflecting the fact that the

Average monthly precipitation distribution (see below rainfall data) shows that rainfall conditions are favorable for growing berries in Naryn

Naryn J F M A M J J A S O N D

Prec. (mm) 10 12 20 32 48 60 36 21 17 15 12 10

Days 9 9 10 11 12 10 9 7 5 8 7 9

Source: http://www.climatestotravel.com/Climate/Kyrgyzstan

Source: http://www.yr.no/place/Kyrgyzstan