KYRGYZSTAN – Iradan Ltd. bridges crops and aquaculture

Kyzyl Kiya, Kyrgyzstan – The Iradan Ltd. cooperative, based in Kyzyl Kiya in the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan, was established three years ago. A member of the National Union of Water Users Association of the Kyrgyz Republic (NUWUA), the cooperative has since evolved into a thriving initiative composed of 11 active members, 70% of whom are women and at least 30% are youth.

Iradan Ltd. is emerging as a dynamic and inclusive farmers’ organization making notable strides in crop and aquaculture production. The cooperative directly and indirectly engages more than 150 farmers through its agricultural and aquaculture activities, contributing significantly to improved livelihoods within the community. With 18 hectares of farmland under its management, the cooperative cultivates a variety of crops including cherries, corn, strawberries, raspberries, and other produce. In a significant expansion of its enterprise, the cooperative has recently ventured into fish farming.

In 2024, with support from the Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Program (APFP)–Farmers’ Organizations for Asia (FO4A) program, the Iradan Cooperative stocked 5 hectares of newly established fish ponds with fingerlings imported from Uzbekistan. These fingerlings are being raised to reach at least one kilogram each in preparation for a substantial harvest expected in mid-2025.

As a landlocked country with no access to saltwater fish, Kyrgyzstan faces limitations in local fish availability. The Iradan Cooperative sees freshwater fish farming as a strategic and profitable venture, both in terms of income generation and providing rare, high-quality fish to local consumers. One cooperative member brings valuable expertise to the initiative, having previously managed a 10-hectare fishery in Russia.

Demonstrating an integrated approach to farming, the cooperative also cultivates corn to produce feed for the fish, effectively linking crop production with aquaculture. Additional support from the APFP-FO4A program has enabled the cooperative to expand its berry cultivation, further diversifying income streams and strengthening food security.

With its first fish harvest on the horizon and a growing portfolio of products, the Iradan Cooperative stands ready to scale its operations and serve as a model for inclusive, resilient rural development.

The APFP-FO4A program is implemented by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and La Via Campesina (LVC), with funding support from the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program aims to strengthen the capacities of farmers’ organizations to provide economic services, advocate for enabling policies, and promote sustainable livelihoods for small-scale family farmers across Asia.