revised report_nizam _ 07 march 2016
TRANSCRIPT
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
3
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
4
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
5
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
6
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
8
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
10
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
13
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
14
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
15
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.
16
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.
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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)’
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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
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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
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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?
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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.
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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 [email protected] tel 0772538010 Date 19/1/16 Time 11-12 AM
Key informant Ibrahim Kyzylkya, Trainer of Trainers;
Agroplast [email protected] 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;[email protected] ;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.
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