The Akkurgan demonstration farm in Uzbekistan is located in the former
Akkurgan kolhoz, some 80 km from the capital city of Tashkent.
This project is one of the agricultural demonstration activities
established under the special cooperation programme developed in the
Central Asian Republics bv MASHAV, the Centre for International
Cooperation of The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with
the US-AID. The programme is designed to assist in the process of
modernization; privatization; human resource development; transfer of
appropriate technologies; advisory services and other support activities
to the agricultural sector, geared towards a market-oriented economy. The
programme also aims to encourage privatization, market development and in
particular, the development of the emerging private family rural sector.
The demonstration farm focuses on the dairy production of larger
operations, representing both the former kolkhoz and the
sovkhoz farm system, currently in the process of converting into
new private-based legal entities. Another important aspect of the project
is the establishment of two family dairy model farms. These activities
promote unique concepts of business and professional management operations
for the development and advancement of family-based dairy
entrepreneurship.
The project, established in Akkurgan, is designed to address some of the
main development trends in the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan. Its
professional and operational goals are based oh th following
components:
- Feed Centre - Improving the feeding system for the provision of
high quality feeding. This facility integrates local infrastructures and
appropriate technologies, such as feed-mixing machines, to optimize
cattle-feeding resources.
- Computerized herd feed and overall dairy animal husbandry management -
This element provides a modern on-line system to improve resource
management and control capabilities for the dairy branch, and the farm as
a whole.
- Mini Dairy - An on-site milk processing facility, to improve
value-added milk production. The project aims to improve the economic and
marketing potential of the farm as a business operation. The unit
introduces appropriate technologies to the production of milk derivatives,
such as yoghurt, hard cheeses, butter and soft cheeses. The project also
involves market development, both in the local vicinity and in the more
lucrative markets of Tashkent, for the promotion and sale of these higher
value products.
- Family Dairy Development - The project has developed two
commercially-based dairy family farms. These two commercial farms operate
as independent, concurrent units within the former Akkurgan
sovkhoz, seeking the build-up of commercial and market-based
service relations with the central farm. This involves the purchase of
improved feed, marketing, processing of raw milk and other agricultural
support services.
The two family dairy enterprises serve as a model and demonstration site
for the development of the family dairy farm sector in Uzbekistan. It is
envisaged that the project, like in other similar projects in the Central
Asian Republics, will service and assist the process of agricultural
development, and improve the conditions of the rural populations.
The development of the project also involved NGOs operating in the Central
Asian Republics, and demonstrated the advantages of international
cooperation. This resulted in additional support to the family farm
entrepreneurs lacking collateral to raise the financing needed for the
establishment of the dairy farms.
This cooperative enterprise, involving NGOs and the Uzbek Commercial
Development Bank, enabled family farms to establish the necessary
production and financial resources to develop the two economically
sustainable dairy model farms.
As a result of the decision to implement the Akkurgan project, an
intensive training programme was initiated, wherein key farm professionals
and management personnel, representatives from the Uzbekistan Ministry of
Agriculture, and regional administrators were trained in various fields
such as herd management, feeding systems, veterinary care, computers, milk
processing, farm machinery, marketing, etc. Training activities were
conducted both in Israel and in Uzbekistan.
Training and operation of the project, carried out by a long-term Israeli
expert, are continuing as in-service components. The programme is also
assisted by the dispatching of short-term Israeli professional consultants
on a wide range of agricultural topics.
The MASHAV-USAID Programme aims to address key agricultural issues,
promote economic endeavours, as well as international cooperation. It
reflects lsrael's commitment to share with others appropriate
technologies, know-how, human resource training and practical experience
gained in agricultural and rural development.