The project is implemented by the Kyrgyz Association of Forest and Land Users (KAFLU) and works with BIOs in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Project overview
ELSOFP Central Asia (Expansion of Local Smallholder Organic Farming and Forest Products from Central Asia) – is a 3-year project to boost the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the agri-forest-food sector of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan through increasing the efficiency and sustainability of production and processing of food products from smallholder farming and forest management operations. Promoting the sustainable management of natural resources, in particular of agricultural, forest and pasture lands, through organic production practices, which reduce adverse impacts on climate change and enhance natural biodiversity compared to intensive agriculture practices. Establishing sustainable high-quality value chains for Central Asian food products to EU markets through improving collaboration and coordination of stakeholders along the value chain, particularly of:
- smallholder producers
- food processing/manufacturing enterprises
- traders in EU markets.
Strengthening enabling environments for local agri-food and forestry systems to fully explore their market potential in local and export markets through promoting certification of selected food products in line with market and relevant food hygiene requirements, which will enable market access for smallholders. Increasing the capacity of local advisory services (e.g., on marketing, certification, legislation, financial literacy etc.) to facilitate the entrepreneurial capacity of local smallholders through the establishment of an on-line knowledge platform. Support gender equality and sustainable economic development targeting women, youth, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and ethnic minorities through long-term stabile employability.
Implementers
A very strong international team of experts and local organizations and enterprises are part of the project consortium, including local producers and Europe-based traders, organic farming institutes and academia, as well as local advisory associations and NGO’s. Consortium partners are from Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Latvia, Switzerland, and Norway.
| Main implementing Organizations: KAFLU (Kyrgyz Association of Forest and Land Users); FiBL (European Research Institute of Organic Agriculture); RWUAS (Rhine Waal University of Applied Sciences); Quality Management Centre «Markazi Idorakunii Sifat»); Ekomaktab(Uzbekistan) Project Advisory partners: NFG “Norwegian Forestry Group”; Independent Agency for Strategic Researches and Planning in Agro-Industrial Complex (Tajikistan & CA); National Association of Marketing Managers (Tajikistan & CA); Market development partners Interfruits LLC; Oro Isfara LLC; Isfarafood LLC; Avalin CJSK; NATFOOD AGROEXPORTS; TJ Trade |
Recent news
All the materials produced during the ELSOFP Project are now accessible in a user-friendly manner/language via an online platform specially designed for farmers, producers, and traders: http://rural-cluster.org
The platform contains all the training, marketing, international standards, export, and other useful materials, which can be accessed at any time free of charge. The advantage of such an approach is that none of the users have to strictly participate in any particular training date or time taking into account the busy schedule of farmers/forest users and producers . Any of the materials can be downloaded for free in an adapted “package” formed by users themselves (“shopping-basket” principle), therefore avoiding bulky chapters/documents but forming “manuals” reflecting only topics/questions necessary to each individual.
For more information please visit the country co-ordination office webpages, have a look at the project’s factsheet, or visit their FB page.
Kyrgyzstan – https://landuse-association.kg/ru/elsofp/o-proekte and factsheet here.
Tajikistan – http://qmc.tj/eu-ca-project/ and factsheet here.
Uzbekistan – http://ekomaktab.uz/index.php/ru/ and factsheet here.
Contact person: Dr. Mariam Matti, Kyrgyz Association of Forest and Land Users (KAFLU), E-mail: info@rural-cluster.org