Adnan Quereshi, the newly appointed representative of FAO in Kyrgyzstan, spoke in an exclusive interview with the Kabar Agency about the organization's plans for the country in the near future.
- This year, World Food Day has a special occasion - FAO 75. How long have you been working in FAO and what is your favorite part about your work?
I have had the privilege to work in FAO for 25 years. I joined FAO to be part of a center of excellence with a multicultural approach and understanding of one of the most basic needs of humankind - access to safe and nutritious food for every man, woman and child. It is this challenge that motivates me to work and what I love most about my job.
- How well do you know Kyrgyzstan? How would you rate the economy and the state of agriculture?
Agriculture has been and remains one of the most important sectors in Kyrgyzstan. The figure of the share of agriculture in GDP has been steadily increasing and it is now about 13%. In the recentpast, we have seen continuing efforts of the government to implement both institutional and structural reforms in the sector, such as the development of the Food Security and Nutrition Programme in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2019-23. Despite many internal and external constraints like access to finance, technology and markets, as well as the economic situation of countries in the region, which remain major destinations for the export of labour and food and agricultural products, Kyrgyzstan could both increase its agro-trade, strengthen its food security, and promote agro-processing industries.
From the FAO perspective, I may say that Kyrgyzstan has a great potential and the sector has many opportunities for development. With technical expertise and support, it is possible to increase productivity of farmers based on improved access to finance, knowledge, technology, markets and other inputs, and these can generate major positive spillovers that go far beyond just food and agriculture. They would not onlycontribute to reversing the current economic contraction caused by the consequences of COVID-19. More importantly, they would change the quality of growth, making it more sustainable and inclusive.
A boost in trade, the development of agro-processing industries, services and R&D, would provide livelihoods, not only in rural areas but in urban areas as well. At the same time, advanced agriculture would generate demand for industrial products, improved infrastructure and increased connectivity. Thus, agriculture in Kyrgyzstan could become and should become a major driver of fundamental transformational changes – economic, social, institutional, environmental and spatial. There is an ambitious agenda ahead, and FAO would mobilize its resources, intellectual and technical capacities to help realise these ambitions.
- Each year WFD calls everybody to play a role in transforming our food systems. In your opinion, do people in Kyrgyzstan pay enough attention to food security issues?
It is a question of raising awareness. They may do without realising it. The concept of food security is quite extensive and may be difficult to grasp. Often, people may not pay attention to the quality and quantity of food consumed; may not pay attention to product labeling;may not think about organic products and smallholders simply because they are not conscious of the benefits of doing so.
Nevertheless, we are happy to note thatfood security and nutritioncontinues to be high on the agenda of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and globally, as it is an essential part of sustainable development and much more than just food consumption. It is about inclusive economic growth, agricultural and rural development, international trade, decent employment, social protection, natural resource management, education and so on and so forth.
In recent times,rising incomes have changed dietary patterns and we now find that malnutrition comes in three different forms: deficiency of calories, macronutrient deficiency and obesity, and it affects every 15th person in Kyrgyzstan.
- There is a virus raging in the world; the second wave is actively gaining momentum. How FAO supports the Kyrgyz Republic in the fight against COVID?
It is true that the COVID-19 crisis has complicated the work, not only in Kyrgyzstan, but also around the world. People, countries, and governments were simply not prepared for such an unexpected turn of events. Since the first days of the pandemic announcement, FAO, as well as other UN partner agencies and the international development community, have been involved in all processes of supporting the country and fostering early recovery.
FAO reprogrammed current projects to provide essential assistance to people living in rural areas, allowing them to realise the results of their hard work. Although FAO does not generally provide inputs, in this emergency situation we provided over 100 tons of seeds, about 218 tons of fertilizers, gasoline, wheat flour to farmers, who were affected by the quarantine measures and harsh weather conditions the most. We did not stop our carp production season mentoring for our fish-farmers in Issyk-Kul, achieving record levels in the carp farming - 16.5 million carp eggs, something thathas not been achieved since independence.
Globally FAO has called for USD 1.3 billion in initial investments to provide an agile and coordinated global response to ensure nutritious food for all both during and after the pandemic. The COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme enables donors to leverage the Organization’s convening power, real-time data, early warning systems and technical expertise to direct support where and when it is needed most. In the moments when a situation takes you by surprise, you need an immediate solution and we understand that. But it is also important to realise and see what will happen next and who/what/why will be the most vulnerable, how to provide high-quality support, so as not to do harm but to successfully withdraw to development and sustainability.
- You took office at a very difficult time for Kyrgyzstan. There is a political crisis in the country, and how have these events affected the work of FAO?
They have not. The work of FAO continues every day in different formats, in particular online. Although some of our activities have been rephased, we continue with the provision of technical assistance through policy, programmatic and project work to strengthen sustainable rural development and tackle the issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The UN System has the policy to stay and deliver. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kyrgyz Republic to deliver our mandate for the benefits of the people.
- What plans does FAO have to be realized in Kyrgyzstan in upcoming years? If there are certain areas in agriculture or food security and nutrition, where does Kyrgyzstan need to strengthen its work?
Starting from the last first, in nutrition we must promote healthy diets. Some of the barriers are cultural in that meat plays an important role in Kyrgyz diets, however, unless that is balanced by fruits, vegetables, pulses and legumes, there is a risk of micronutrient deficiency and obesity putting further pressure on already stretched health services. Nutrition education needs to start in schools, and must extend to mothers to improve, adverse nutritional indicators in children.
Food security is a very broad area, and relies on the formulation of the appropriate policies at government level including through legislation and governance. The policies must be inclusive and assist in empowering groups such as returning migrants, women and youth. FAO works together with its partners, and is active in all these fields, particularly, in the development of sustainable food systems and the development of value chains.
Lastly, in agriculture the keys to the future lie in innovation and digitalisation. FAO is working both at the country and sub-regional level to make agriculture future proof.
- What would you like to wish to the Kyrgyz people on this World Food Day?
In the short time I have been in the country, I find the Kyrgyz people to be amongst the most warm, resilient and resourceful that I have ever met. Therefore, I wish them health and safety in this particular time, and drawing on the WFD theme “Grow, nourish, sustain. Together. Our actions are our future”, I would call everyone to adhere to healthy diets, food hygiene and responsible food consumption. I expect that together we will come through the immediate crisis and build a strong partnership for the future development and prosperity of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Interviewed by Aman Alymbekov
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