Osh, Kyrgyzstan – Ishker KG, a women-led cooperative and active member of the Kyrgyz Association of Forest and Land Users (KAFLU), is transforming the way forest products such as walnuts, pistachios, wild apples, and berries are processed and marketed in southern Kyrgyzstan.
With funding support from the Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Program–Farmers’ Organizations for Asia (APFP-FO4A), Ishker KG successfully implemented its business plan by acquiring walnut cracking equipment, which was distributed to its members, and securing working capital to directly purchase raw materials from over 380 smallholder farmer-members.
This investment has led to several strategic improvements:
- Faster and more efficient walnut deshelling
- Enhanced product quality
- Increased income for member farmers
- Stronger participation of women throughout the value chain—from harvesting to marketing
With a facility capable of handling up to 200 metric tons, Ishker KG is quickly scaling up operations. The cooperative is now exporting its products to the United States and Uzbekistan and is actively exploring additional markets through continued support from KAFLU. The cooperative is also innovating by utilizing by-products and working toward organic certification, ensuring competitiveness in both local and international markets.
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 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.
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