"ABC" ADVIRSORY CENTRES AND THEIR ROLE IN PROMOTING AGRICULTURAL MECHANISATION IN KYRGHYSTAN
HAVRLAND, B.
Abstract
In the aftermath of the collapse of the old Soviet
system and the privatisation attempts in the agriculture -the main branch of
the National economy in Kyrgystan, the Kyrgyz farmers are experiencing great
difficulties in procuring the most essential farm inputs and do not match payments
for them. From the national as well as farmer's point of view, these problems
have to be solved to help the Kyrgyz Agriculture to achieve its full potential
on the private base. One of the most effective inputs that were very limited
in the past Soviet period is an effective extension service. It must assume
responsibility for updating farmer's knowledge and improve its management, technologic
as well as financial/accounting capacity. The concept ofKAISABC (agro-business)
Centres was worked out to help the private farmer's sector in restructuring
and promote their production under new economic conditions. However, it featured
a whole range of system constraints (both theoretical as well as practical)
that hampered its effective implementation as countrywide extension service
system that could be promoted on the national level. The present article offers
analysis of principles on which the ABC's concept has been built and discusses
its theoretical base and practical role in promotion of agricultural mechanisation
in Kyrgystan.
Key words:
Agrobusiness Centres, advisory activities, input problem matrix, Credit Revolving
Fund, pilot project, demonstration unit