On June 14, U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Sheila Gwaltney attended the opening ceremony of a vegetable consolidation center in Aravan that will directly benefit thousands of farmers in the south of the country. This Aravan-based facility is a result of a partnership between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the private entrepreneur Mr. Avaz Abdurahimov. The consolidation center is one of the largest in the south and can sort, clean, and package around 24,000 tons of vegetables per year. 

Mr. Avaz Abdurahimov’s facility will create new market and income opportunities for farmers in Aravan, Nookat, Kara Su, and Uzgen. For the first year, the consolidation center aims to supply retail chains in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan with up to 18,000 tons of potatoes and 6,000 tons of onions. The center also plans to export vegetables in bulk to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 

In her remarks, Ambassador Gwaltney highlighted that the key goal of this center is to create jobs and new opportunities for local farmers. “The vegetables grown in this region can now reach expanded markets, both local and international” she said.