Bishkek — May 29, 2026 — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a new initiative to strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s aquaculture sector, aiming to boost sustainability, productivity, and competitiveness in fish value chains. The project, titled Sustainable Fish Value Chains for Landlocked Developing Countries (SVC4LLDCs), is funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea and focuses on developing the country’s rainbow trout and carp industries.
The high‑level inception workshop in Bishkek brought together government officials, private sector representatives, researchers, and development partners to review findings from a comprehensive value chain analysis. Participants discussed market opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and sustainability performance, identifying key bottlenecks and priority areas for investment.
FAO Representative Oleg Guchgeldiyev emphasized that aquaculture offers significant potential for improving food security, creating jobs, and supporting rural livelihoods. The project builds on FAO’s long‑standing efforts to modernize Kyrgyzstan’s fish production systems and promote sustainable resource management.
FAO Senior Aquatic Value Chain Expert Thomas Shipton noted that the initiative takes a holistic approach, examining the entire chain from inputs and farming practices to processing and market access. This integrated strategy aims to make Kyrgyzstan’s aquaculture more efficient, resilient, and competitive.
A major outcome of the workshop was consensus on forming a multistakeholder partnership to guide the next phase of the project. The collaboration will focus on unlocking investment opportunities, improving value addition, and ensuring environmental sustainability.
As a landlocked country with abundant water resources, Kyrgyzstan holds untapped potential for aquaculture development. By strengthening fish value chains, the FAO‑led project seeks to increase incomes, create rural jobs, and contribute to more resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
