During the forum "Agrodialog–2026," Yusup Tashirov, the General Director of "Kyrgyz Humate" and Chairman of the cooperative "Kyrgyz Kvinass," shared his opinion with VB.KG about the critical state of agriculture in Kyrgyzstan. He noted that the survival of the country amid political instability and climate change depends on two key aspects: real financing of the agricultural sector and ensuring food security.
According to Tashirov, "currently, banks satisfy the needs of the agri-sector and farming only by 3-4 percent. Everyone is aware of this, but the situation does not change. This is a road to nowhere."
The expert emphasizes that without a deep revision of credit policy, it is impossible to talk about the independence of the food market. The agricultural sector requires not 3-4 billion soms, but amounts in the range of 30-40 billion soms annually to become a driving force for the economy.
In his opinion, the issue is not limited to supporting individual farms; it is necessary to radically change financial policy towards supporting the rural population. "In Kyrgyzstan, a significant number of people live and work in rural areas. This is not just the periphery of the economy, but its foundation," he adds.
Tashirov also criticized the banking sector. He believes that commercial banks have turned into closed clubs that year after year lend to the same borrowers with established collateral. This leads to thousands of small and medium-sized farms remaining without financing, and new processing projects not receiving the necessary support, resulting in the financial system effectively ignoring the needs of the majority of agricultural producers.
The difficulties are exacerbated by the historical context: from 600 Soviet collective farms, Kyrgyzstan has come to a multitude of fragmented owners. With the formal development of private initiative, the agricultural sector has become highly fragmented and poorly capitalized. Regional production bases are degrading, and cooperative ties are weakened. Tashirov is convinced that without significant investments, it is impossible to restore processing and implement modern technologies.
Nevertheless, the republic has potential. With proper financing, Kyrgyzstan is capable of fully meeting its needs in eight key areas of food security, from crop production to deep processing. For this, it is necessary not only to provide fragmented assistance but also to develop a strategy for increasing lending, create special programs for small farms, and actively develop cooperation.
The "Agrodialog–2026" forum should become a platform for candid acknowledgment: agriculture needs not cosmetic but large-scale development strategies. This choice must be made today, considering regional neighbors who make decisions much faster. Whether the state is ready to make a financial leap towards the countryside will determine whether the agricultural sector becomes a reliable foundation for the country's security or remains a zone of missed opportunities.
