Agriculture and Rural Transformation in Asia: Past Experiences and Future Opportunities
December 12th – 13th, Dusit Thani International Hotel, Bangkok
A regional conference jointly organized by ReSAKSS-Asia, IFPRI, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), and TVSEP project of Leibniz Universit Hannover with financial support from USAID and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) [Read more...]
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in collaboration with its partner institution based in Central Asia - Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) - held a Training Course on Advanced Applied Econometrics from June 12 – 23, 2017, for the fourth consecutive year. This two-week training course for young researchers from the region took place at WIUT in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. More than 20 participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan participated in the training. Participants were selected on a competitive basis based on their interest and background in applied research, as well as their knowledge and skill level in quantitative methods. [Read more...]
News
Tajikistan reviews sustainable development, environmental performance
(September 14) Tajikistan faces challenges in terms of deforestation, contamination of food and water, and air pollution from road transport, according to an environmental performance review conducted by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Among other factors, the UNECE review assessed attention to environmental concerns in a variety of sectors including agriculture, industry, energy, transport, housing, health, and disaster risk management. – IISD [Read more...]
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Uzbekistan lifts currency restrictions
(September 5) Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyoyev issued a decree on September 3 allowing the free exchange of foreign currency in the country. This is considered the most far-reaching economic reform of Mirziyoyev’s term so far and marks the first time since independence that the general public will be able to buy and sell foreign currency legally. A complex system of rules had previously produced multiple exchange rates, complicating international trade for foreign and domestic firms. On September 4, the central bank devalued the official exchange rate to 8,100 sums per dollar from 4,210, slightly lower than the going 7,700 sums per dollar rate in the black market. – Reuters [Read more...]
News
Kazakhstan harvested more than 1.35 million tons of grain
(August 23) Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture reported that 1.35 million tons of grain have been harvested as of August 7, compared to 1.32 million tons on the same date in 2016. The International Grains Council projects national production at 17.5 million tons for the 2017-2018 marketing year, which runs from July to June in Kazakhstan. – Kazakh Zerno [Read more...]
News
Development Bank of Kazakhstan offers affordable financing for non-oil exporters
(August 10) The Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) will provide loans to 13 companies exporting non-oil products. Several companies producing processed foods are among those that have been allocated loans. DBK is a subsidiary of the country’s Baitarek National Holding company and is supporting the state’s five-year Nurly Zhol production and export initiative. – Astana Times [Read more...]
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in collaboration with Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) hosted a regional training course (Summer School) on Applied Econometrics from June 12 to 23, 2017, for the fourth consecutive year. The two-week training course for young researchers took place at the Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), Uzbekistan.
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News
Eighteen tons of Afghan melons rot in Tajikistan
(August 6) The Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) reported that 18 tons of melons were left to rot on the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. The melons, produced in Afghanistan’s Kunduz province, were intended for export to Russia. ACCI and its provincial counterpart in Kunduz suggested that Tajik authorities had a hand in the delay, noting that Tajikistan has begun exporting its own melons to Russia. On the other hand, an spokesman for the Afghan government placed the blame on conflicts among Afghan traders. – TOLONews
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News
State program to allow adding 66,500 hectares of new irrigated lands in Kyrgyzstan
(July 26) The Kyrgyz government announced its ten-year irrigation development plan for 2017-2026. The state program will add 66,500 hectares to existing irrigated land and increase the water supply of another 51,080 hectares. – 24.kg [Read more...]
News
Tajik agriculture minister: do not expect a decrease in food prices
(July 19) At a July 19 press conference, Tajik agriculture minister Izatullo Sattori advised the public not to expect food prices to decrease in the near future. He attributed price increases for potatoes, onions, carrots, and other commonly consumed vegetables to market conditions and costs incurred bringing them to retail. – Asia Plus [Read more...]
News
EU increased wheat imports from Kazakhstan by 27 percent
(July 12) Kazakhstan exported approximately 210,000 tons of wheat to the European Union in the 2016-2017 marketing year, marking a 27 percent increase from 2015-2016. Kazakhstan’s wheat marketing year runs from July to June, according to FAO. – UkrAgoConsulting, FAO [Read more...]
News
Belarusian agricultural machinery to be assembled in Tajikistan
(July 10) Planning is underway to start assembling Belarusian-brand agricultural machinery in Tajikistan. Belarusian agricultural machinery is well regarded in Tajikistan and comprises a major portion of Belarus’ exports to the country. – Belarusian Telegraph Agency
News
January-May migrant remittances up 39.5 percent from previous year in Kyrgyzstan
(June 28) The chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s national bank reported that the net inflow of migrant remittances increased by 39.5 percent from January to May 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. In addition, the national currency has remained stable, strengthening 0.9 percent against the dollar since January 1. – 24.kg
News
USAID expands markets for farmers in southern Kyrgyzstan
(June 14) U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Sheila Gwaltney attended the opening ceremony for a vegetable consolidation center in the southern town of Aravan. The facility – a joint project between USAID and a local entrepreneur – will sort, clean, and package around 24,000 tons of vegetables per year with the ultimate goal of supplying domestic and international retailers. – USAID [Read more...]
International Conference on Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition in Eurasia (May 26, 2017, Moscow) brought together over 100 participants.
Building strong domestic capacity for food policy research in Eurasia is important for ensuring food and nutrition security in the region. This idea, reiterated by all speakers and participants, was the keynote of the International Conference on Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition in Eurasia held at Lomonosov Moscow State University on May 26, 2017. [Read more...]
News
IMF completes mission to Tajikistan
(May 31) Representatives from the International Monetary Fund concluded a two-week mission to Tajikistan on May 30, during which it discussed reforms and the possible resumption of talks to start IMF-supported programs in the country. The IMF press release commented favorably on recent financial reforms and efforts to unify the official and market exchange rates, which had diverged in 2016 in the midst of an economic crisis in the country. It also described additional steps that the Tajik government would need to take in order to facilitate closer cooperation with the IMF. – IMF [Read more...]
News
Cherry,melon, beans, and meat from Kyrgzystan to be exported to China
(30 May 2017, 24.kg) The deputy agriculture minister explained at a press conference on May 30 that agricultural export agreements for certain products are underway with China.
News
Power station’s heat allows unique fish farm in Karaganda
(19 April 2017 Astana Times) Natur Produkt farm has been culturing rainbow trout at the Topar Lake 40 kilometers from Karaganda since last year. Close proximity to the Karaganda GRES 2 power station creates unique conditions for fish culturists; thermal release from the power station’s maintains ideal temperatures at a one-hectare pond at no cost to the farm. [Read more...]
Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) invite young economists, researchers and graduate students to participate in the Regional Training Course (Summer School) on Applied Econometric Analysis from June 12 to June 23, 2017. The aim of the Summer School is to strengthen the capacity of young economists in Central Asia, specifically those of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, for quantitative research, economic policy analysis, and, in particular, for econometric analysis of socioeconomic phenomena in the context of economics and related social sciences. [Read more...]
News
Products from Kyrgyzstan in most cases not pass phytosanitary control
(30 March 2017 24.kg) Most Kyrgyz products do not pass phytosanitary control upon import into the Novosibirsk region. High phytosanitary risk products are often transported without necessary documents confirming phytosanitary safety or without marking on packages. [Read more...]
