He pointed out that several years ago, the ministry made a decision to form these committees, for which significant funds were attracted from external sources.
“These loans have become a heavy burden for taxpayers, and the work of this organization has caused more harm than good. The state financed the pasture committees; however, the unifying structure turned into something so cumbersome that it is accountable to no one. Now, it seems, the government has realized its mistake by dissolving the organization and deciding to create state institutions under the ayil okmotu, which is the right step,” Kozyuev noted.
The First Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Food Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, Zhanibek Kerimaliev, added that the pasture committees were established by law in 2009.
“At that time, this decision was relevant, but now it has lost its significance. The pasture committees did not justify themselves and did not demonstrate effectiveness. The organization operated as a non-governmental entity, and it could only be audited by the staff of the Audit Chamber. Now, however, these committees have become state enterprises and report directly to the district akims. Currently, both short-term and long-term projects are being developed to improve the condition of pastures, which are being implemented with the participation of donors,” he added.
