Yaks, thanks to their endurance, can live at altitudes from 2000 to 4500 meters and successfully reproduce in conditions unsuitable for other livestock. They are well adapted to cold, drought, and scarce feed resources, making them particularly valuable for regions suffering from climate change, such as shifts in seasons, reduced precipitation, and land degradation.
The Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry considers yak breeding an important direction in light of climate change and the deterioration of pastures. The resilience of yaks to cold conditions helps reduce the burden on conventional pastures, which also benefits the ecology.
Currently, a working group is actively collaborating with the National Academy of Sciences and the Kyrgyz Scientific Research Institute of Animal Husbandry, which is under the Ministry's jurisdiction. Research is being conducted at the "Zhaichy" farm named after T. Akmatov in the Ton district, where the possibility of testing white yaks as a separate breed group is being studied.
Farmers Baatyrbek Akmatov and Tashtanbek Akmatov have been engaged in the breeding of white yaks since 2003. Their efforts have borne fruit, and in 2025, at the "Agrodialog–2025" forum organized by the Ministry, Baatyrbek Akmatov was awarded the title of "Champion" for raising white yaks. This event has sparked increased interest among farmers in this activity.
The Ministry plans to continue developing yak husbandry, supporting farmers, and providing scientific guidance for breeding programs.
