During the forum "Agrodialog-2026," Manas Samatov, the head of the company "Gardens Consulting," criticized outdated approaches to managing the agricultural sector. He emphasized that Kyrgyzstan should reconsider its priorities, shifting the focus from abstract "food security" to improving the quality of life and increasing the income of the rural population.
According to Samatov, under current conditions, agriculture should not be viewed solely as a means of ensuring food security. "The village and its residents are not just 'food suppliers.' They are millions of citizens who deserve decent and profitable work," he noted.
The expert also pointed out that the mass migration of people from rural areas to cities is a consequence of the lack of jobs and low incomes in the agricultural sector. "All social problems begin where labor cannot support a family. We must transition to growing high-margin crops and abandon the outdated model where farmers work 'for the country' on a residual basis," he added.
Samatov characterized the old approaches as a bureaucratic relic that forces farmers to "provide for the country." He is convinced that if rural producers become financially successful, this will lead to a natural reduction in social problems. In such a system, the need for "empty decrees" banning exports or imports will disappear, which only hinders business development.
"The interests of the country can be protected through effective regulation, the establishment of tariffs, and transparent mechanisms, not through bans. If Kyrgyzstan produces apples or meat, this production should be supported, not jeopardized. Imports and exports should be open, prices balanced, and farmers' labor properly rewarded," he emphasized.
As a negative example, Samatov cited the situation in the meat industry, where bans on livestock exports led many farmers to leave the business due to its unprofitability, which, in turn, caused prices to rise for consumers. This serves as a serious lesson for the state: business cannot be banned; conditions must be created for its prosperity.
The development of Kyrgyzstan's strategy must take into account both social and economic aspects. The village should be viewed as a source of income for millions, not just as a raw material base. Samatov is confident that only when labor on the land becomes profitable can migration to cities be halted, and the agricultural sector transformed into a true engine of the economy.
"Agrodialog-2026 is an excellent opportunity for exchanging opinions and reflecting on what needs to be changed in the shortest possible time," concluded Manas Samatov.
