Nookat, Osh Region, Kyrgyzstan: The US government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and Nookat Almasy Cooperative, has opened the largest cold storage site in Nookat district in Osh oblast that will help farmers expand their sales and market opportunities.
The site will enhance food security and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the district, the US Embassy said.
Nookat Almasy Cooperative received cooling equipment worth over $78,400 from USAID through its Agro Trade Activity. The site can store locally grown apples and raspberries for up to four months, extending their shelf life and allowing the farmers to sell them at a higher price when market conditions improve. The enhanced storage will help maintain market stability and ensure a reliable and consistent food supply throughout the year.
Since 2018, the US government has helped establish over 20 new cold storage sites in the Kyrgyz Republic´s southern regions. They have a total storage capacity of 12,500 tons, more than doubling the storage capacity in the region. They have the capacity to decrease food spoilage by 40% and create income-generating activities for over 4,000 farmers.
