Stimulating the production of winter fodder through micro-crediting
Type: Approaches
Creation: 2013-02-18 00:00 Updated: 2017-08-17 12:11
Compilers: Azamat Isakov
Reviewers: Alexandra Gavilano, David Streiff
Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied
- Country: Kyrgyzstan
- Region/ State/ Province: Naryn district
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Jergetal, Minbulak, Onarsha ail okrug
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Approach
Short description of the Approach
Establishing of micro-crediting agencies to support the sustainable production of winter fodder as a system of organizational, economic and technological measures (in the frame of CACILM).
Detailed description of the Approach
Aims / objectives: Because of a lack of skills, land, access to seeds, funding and incentives, many farmers of Naryn region do not stock sufficient winter fodder to feed their animals during the winter. As a result, in winter cattle is mostly grazed on winter pastures around settlements, leading to severe overgrazing and pasture degradation. In years when snow remains for a long time on the pastures, it is common that high numbers of animals die of starvation in spring because of the lack of fodder stocks. The documented SLM approach aims to improve domestic feeding of animals during the winter period by providing incentives for growing winter fodder, which leads to a decrease in grazing on winter pastures and their degradation. Besides it reduces the mortality of livestock, increases animal productivity and income from the sale of livestock, meat and milk.
Methods: Creation of micro-crediting agencies (MCAs) to provide farmers with the financial means to improve access to seeds. The MCAs collect applications from local farmers to get seeds
Stages of implementation: Implementation of the approach began with an analysis of the training needs of the local community in growing crops to increase stocks of winter fodder. In these areas, trainings were conducted by the Rural Advisory Service (RAS). During the training, participants were trained to select appropriate varieties for the climatic conditions of the region and farming culture. Further, flow charts were developed explaining the cultivationof these varieties. During the training, participants expressed concern that in the region no high quality fodder seeds were available. Therefore, it was decided to create a local micro-crediting agency (MCA). The MCA is engaged in providing the local population with high-quality seeds (mainly sainfoin and barley). At the beginning of the year, the MCA collects from the local community to get seeds. Applications are being reviewed by the MCA taking into account the selection criteria for micro-credit users (availability of arable land, solvency of the applicant, etc.). The seeds are purchased based on the number of requests. Local varieties which are produced in the region are preferred when purchasing seeds, in their absence the seeds are purchased in neighboring regions. Seeds are distributed in springtime to the applicants? as a loan. Borrowers must repay the loan in the autumn in the form of seeds or cash at an interest rate of 12% per annum. Returned money and seeds are accumulated by the MCA and provided primarily to new members of the community. Following this approach, MCAs were established in five villages - a revolving fund of the local community for sustainable cultivation of winter fodder. The chairman of the MCA is selected by the Supervisory Board of the MCA under the statute. Chairman and accountant are paid from interest on the loans issued.
Role of stakeholders: Everyone may use the services of the fund, regardless of gender and social status.
Other important information: This approach has been implemented by PF CAMP Alatoo within the regional program of GIZ «Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Central Asia'.
Photos of the Approach
- 📍 Minbulak village, Naryn province
- 📷 Archives of САМР Alatoo (3, Uphimskiy pereulok, Bishkek)
- 📍 Minbulak village, Naryn province
- 🗓 2009-09-01
- 📷 Archives of САМР Alatoo (3, Uphimskiy pereulok, Bishkek)