Empowering resilience: Harnessing climate-smart practices in the Kyrgyz Republic

In the mountains of Kyrgyz Republic, lies a remote provincial capital, Naryn, situated along the Naryn River, one of the primary waterways in the region. Here, the winter grips the land for more than six months. Summers are brief and parched, and smallholder farmers face a formidable challenge. Prolonged winters and short, dry summers stunt crop growth, leaving them ill-prepared for the harsh winter ahead.

Since 2010, the Kyrgyz Republic has seen an intense 150 per cent increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, floods, and droughts. Melting glaciers, driven by rising temperatures, result in more severe winter floods and diminished summer water supplies. These climate shifts are causing the country's arid regions unprecedented challenges on agricultural productivity.

Maksat Kojomkulov, a dedicated agronomist, has made it his mission to guide these farmers with evidence-based insights. Working in the Naryn province, Maksat knows well the impacts of a winter that stretches over six long, demanding months. He recalls the challenge of brief summers that farmers face, causing their crops to wither before ripening and leaving them unprepared for the cold front ahead. Maksat's mission is crucial: to support these resilient farmers with evidence-based insights, helping them navigate the harsh climate and make informed decisions for a better future.

“Previously we had no data, we could not make any decisions based on climate analysis. Now we have 30 years of historical data and I can provide practical advice to farmers to help them solve real issues that they face. These are simple measures that farmers can take together with the local authorities.”

Equipped with comprehensive training, including the Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) methodology—a climate services approach that supports farmers in making plans catered to their unique context—Maksat has now transformed his consultations. By incorporating climate graphs that reveal critical events such as frost occurrences, precipitation levels, and temperature trends over the past thirty years, he now offers invaluable, climate-informed advice. With this powerful knowledge, Maksat tailors solutions to the unique challenges of the region, empowering farmers to thrive despite the harsh climate.

"Through the PICSA training, our analysis of the 30-year data in Naryn revealed that there is a 40 per cent probability of frosts in May, when smallholder farmers begin migrating to pasturelands with their cattle. Many cattle are killed as they reach the pasturelands due to unexpected frost and snow. We urged the farmers not to shear their sheep in the village, even though it is cheaper. Through this approach, the animal can resist the unexpected weather changes. We also recommended farmers to bring some hay and fodder with them as a precaution. During 3-4 days of snow, sheep cannot find adequate enough grass; with the small amount of hay, they would be able to save their cattle."

Despite its shrinking share in the national GDP, agriculture remains the heart of the rural Kyrgyz Republic, supporting 65 per cent of the population. Over the past decade, this sector has contributed more than 12 per cent to the country's annual output and on average, employed more than 25 per cent of the economically active population. Here in the Krygz Republic, agriculture is vulnerable to climate conditions, as seen in the severe droughts of 2008, 2012, 2021, and 2023. The impact is high, with 2023 experiencing a 25 per cent reduction in wheat production and a 30 percent decline in barley output.

While the stats appear grim, the hope remains high. A climate services project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by the World Food Project (WFP), has resulted in the deployment of modern technology for the nation’s agency of Hydrometeorology, KyrgyzHydromet. Thanks to support of the project, KyrgyzHydromet’s meteorological capabilities have been enhanced, with superior climate information dissemination, offering essential support to smallholder farmers grappling with food insecurity.

Data collection accuracy has been reformed. The installation of eight automated weather stations, along with 280 portable measuring instruments and 658 support equipment at 13 agro-meteorological observation sites. These tools monitor critical agro-meteorological parameters such as soil and surface temperature, wind, precipitation, and pressure. Nationwide meteorological observations have been revived by training specialists on these advanced instruments, reinstating essential data monitoring capabilities and empowering farmers with the information they need to thrive.

 

“We started moving forward, our 13 sites now have the appropriate technology to deliver agro-meteorological information. Previously, we could not measure key critical statistics for farmers. We collect samples using modern, portable, and easy to use equipment to detect moisture, temperature, and other critical aspects to assist farmers. A lot more work is still needed, and we want to continue working with WFP to address these concerns in the future”

By training 5,000 rural community members and farmers to use climate information, GCF and WFP have fostered an ecosystem where evidence-based decisions navigate agricultural planning. Working together with agronomists like Maksat, smallholder farmers are now equipped to leverage KyrgyzHydromet's climate insights, setting the stage for sustainable agricultural growth. 

This collective effort highlights the power of partnership and innovation, driving forward a brighter future of climate resilience and agricultural sustainability for the Kyrgyz Republic. 

Story originally written by WFP

Edited and rewritten by Zeenia Dastur, GCF