Kompanion conducted the tenth Apple Festival that was aimed at the development of gardening in the region. This year, the event took place in Kotormo village of Kyrgyz-Ata village council (Nookat region, Osh oblast) on October 10.

The Festival brought together gardeners, buyers and apple processers and allowed them to share experiences and establish market partnerships.

“We have a problem with selling the products – apples are sold at low prices. The event was useful for local people. Some of them had a chance to conclude agreements, establish partnerships and exchange contacts right away at the festival,” shared Mamakulu Asanov, the Deputy Head of Kyrgyz-Ata Local Government.

At the event local farmers presented approximately 1.5 tons of over 20 varieties of apples. Competitions and quizzes, a bright concert program, and testing of creatively different apple dishes created the atmosphere of a real feast for local people.

“Kompanion pays special attention to the development of agriculture in Kyrgyzstan. The Company’s in-house agronomists and veterinarians provide free-of-charge consultations on crop and livestock production in order to increase crop yield of households and strengthen economic capacity of communities,” noted Ulanbek Termechikov, the CEO of Kompanion Financial Group Microfinance CJSC.

A round table was organized as part of the 10th Apple Festival where representatives of the Department for Agriculture, horticultural communities, fruit tree nurseries and bio-laboratories discussed the development of the sector in the region and adopted a regulation on introducing the drip irrigation, reducing the usage of chemical agents, and establishing the association of gardeners to forge relationships with buyers within and outside the country.

We would like to note that Kompanion has been holding the Apple Festivals since 2006. The next festival will be held in Batken oblast’s Kadamjay region.

Background information:

Kompanion was founded in 2004 through consolidation of five microcredit agencies of Mercy Corps. From the date of its foundation, Kompanion has disbursed more than 1 million loans totaling approximately KGS 40.3 billion. As of today, the Company has over 115,000 active clients and 870 employees providing services in 120 offices throughout the country. In addition to financial products, Kompanion provides the population with business development services too, being the only microfinance organization that has 32 highly skilled in-house agronomists and veterinarians.

For more information please visit www.kompanion.kg.