IFPRI CA NEWS DIGEST (MARCH 8, 2017 – MARCH 14, 2017)
News
Kyrgyzstan to export biological products to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan
(7 March 2017 24.kg) A new bio-factory, scheduled to open on April 15, will produce six types of preparations that protect crops from harmful diseases for export to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Kazakhstan to increase agricultural exports 10 percent in 2017
(9 March 2017 Astana Times) The Ministry of Agriculture intends to increase exports 10 percent in 2017 over last year’s $2.1 billion total by taking new approaches in potential export markets, expanding cooperatives, and by involving the Food Contract Corporation.
European Investment Bank expected to provide 200 million euro to KazAgro
(12 March 2017 Astana Times) The European Investment Bank is going to provide 200 million euros to KazAgro to modernize grain storage facilities, purchase agricultural machinery and assist with the production of seeds and livestock breeding.
Government to launch additional 410 agricultural cooperatives to assist small farms
(13 March 2017 Astana Times) In 2017, 410 cooperatives will be established in 2017 to help small and medium-sized farms buy equipment, store and transport products, provide veterinary services, organize the supply of fodder and agrochemical products and help with lending. The program was launched last year and 157 cooperatives are already cooperating with 15,000 farms.
Other Information
Tajikistan listed as one of the 33 poorest countries in the world
(9 March 2017 Asia-Plus) In Global Finance’s ranking of the world’s richest and poorest countries, Tajikistan is listed as 157th out of 189. Kazakhstan is 54th, Turkmenistan is 73rd, Uzbekistan is 127th, and Kyrgyzstan is 148th.
IFC helps expand access to finance for small businesses in Tajikistan
(13 March 2017 Times of Central Asia) The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, with the support of the Government of Switzerland, is launching a training program in Tajikistan designed to expand access to finance for local entrepreneurs.
FAO supports to strengthen Tajikistan’s capacities for better locust management
(13 March 2017 Asia-Plus) On March 10, the FAO presented the Ministry of Agriculture of Tajikistan with locust survey and monitoring equipment worth over US$1.2 million. This support is occurring within the framework of an FAO regional project funded by the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the aim of improving locust management in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
EBRD President to visit Uzbekistan
(14 March 2017 EBRD) An EBRD delegation, headed by President Suma Chakrabarti, will visit Uzbekistan on 15-17 March 2017. The visit will include high-level meetings with the authorities to discuss ways of increasing EBRD engagement with Uzbekistan. The Bank has worked in the country since 1993 and has a portfolio of investments there but since 2010 there have been no fresh operations.
Bloomberg: "Russia wants immigrants the world doesn't"
(14 March 2017 Bloomberg) This feature story by Bloomberg describes the lives of labor migrants in Russia and their role in the country’s economic recovery. It provides additional context about Russian political opinion regarding migration and contrasts it with concerns in the West.
Publications
Europe and Central Asia Regional Overview of Food Insecurity: The Food Insecurity Transition
FAO, 2017.
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The articles included in this news digest have been generated from online sources. Any opinions stated herein are not representative of, or endorsed by, the International Food Policy Research Institute or its partners.
