At the farmers' fair held at the Turdakun Usubaliev Square in Bishkek, the Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry Bakyt Torobaev answered questions from media representatives from VB.KG. The discussion focused on poultry meat production—a product that is in high demand and considered affordable for the population.
- What is the current situation with poultry meat production in Kyrgyzstan? Are there plans to reduce dependence on imports?
- Currently, we are experiencing a deficit in poultry meat, providing for only 30-35% of our needs through domestic production. For comparison, three years ago this figure was only 10%. Our goal is to achieve 80% self-sufficiency in chicken meat by 2030, and we are already seeing positive dynamics.
As for eggs, we have completely closed the deficit and even started exporting.
We are implementing similar measures in poultry meat production, including providing preferential loans and assistance with feed. We have also established cooperation between farmers and processors, which has already allowed producers to receive orders for raw materials, sometimes with prepayment to ensure a certain volume of production.
Import substitution also remains an important task. Previously, we imported about 60,000 tons of poultry meat from China, but thanks to the growth of domestic production, this volume has decreased by 10,000 tons. We aim for an annual reduction in imports by 5-10 thousand tons, which will allow us to fully satisfy the domestic market with our own resources.
- Poultry meat is considered a social product. Does this mean that its price should become lower and more accessible for the population?
- Yes, our goal is to set the price of poultry meat at 250 soms per kilogram. There is a growing interest in healthy eating and the consumption of "white meat" in society. Increasing the supply in the market is a key factor for stabilizing and reducing the final price of the product.
- Is support, loans, and assistance with feed available only to large companies, or are they also intended for cooperatives and private farmers, such as the participants of the current fair?
- We offer this assistance to everyone without exception: both large enterprises and small agricultural producers.
