Resource information
Continuing a long Kyrgyz tradition, the
livestock sector is one of the strongest components of the
rural economy. The sector contributes substantially to the
national economy by providing high value food, income,
employment and foreign exchange. There are also significant
indirect benefits which include reduced risks to human
health, more sustainable use of arable land and pastures,
access to lucrative markets and the possibility to add value
to livestock products. The processing and marketing of
livestock products are also attractive to women. Available
evidence suggests that recent growth in the value of sector
output was due mostly to a strong increase in producer
prices and only a small increase in productivity - despite
the ample scope for growth of the latter. Productivity
levels are low - number of calves/lambs born per 100
cows/ewes, milk yields, wool output and animal growth rates
fall well short of genetic potential of the current mix of
animal breeds and international industry standards. Current
levels of animal productivity are low - due to poor
nutrition, the high incidence of diseases, heavy affliction
with parasites, and poor animal and farm management.
