Program for the development of pasture management in the Kyrgyz Republic for the period of 2012-2015.

Program for the development of pasture management in the Kyrgyz Republic for the period of 2012-2015 is validated by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and covering the whole national territory. Overall goal of the Program is to improve the well-being of the people of Kyrgyzstan, ensuring sufficient level of food security of the country and the preservation of the ecological integrity of pasture ecosystems in the environment.
The objectives of the Program shall be as follows: (a) improvement of the legislative framework in the management and use of pastures; (b) introduction of new methods and approaches in the use and improvement of pastures; (c) improvement of knowledge and skills of pasture users; and (d) rehabilitation of pasture infrastructure.
One of the important components of this Program is pasture monitoring. In the current situation, full pasture monitoring will allow more efficient and rational use of pasture resources, since the main goal of monitoring is, first of all, in the timely detection of anthropogenic and man-made changes, their assessment, in order to prevent and eliminate negative processes. Therefore, it becomes relevant to draw up cartographic materials of the current state of pastures in the Kyrgyz Republic, determination of the forage potential of various types of pastures, development of a methodology for optimal pasture load, determination of the dynamics of productivity depending on weather conditions in the context of regions, districts and villages and the solution of a number of other important issues related to pasture use.
One of the important issues in the use of pasture resources is the use of pastures for other purposes, which include, but are not limited to, hunting, beekeeping, collection of medicinal herbs, fruits and berries, procurement of hay and fuel, extraction of a small amount of minerals, tourism and recreation of citizens. In contrast to animal husbandry, which involves the public use pastures, the peculiarity of using pastures for other purposes is the individual nature of the use, which implies more accurate information regarding the boundaries of pastures and other issues.
Tasks in matters of reducing the level of degradation, improving the condition of pastures: (a) introduction of a system of traditional seasonal grazing on pastures through the development and adoption by executive bodies of pasture users, associations of pasture users of livestock grazing plans, taking into account seasonality, remoteness and the current state of pastures; (b) improving the nutritional status of pasture soils through selective application of chemical and organic types of fertilizers, with the introduction of annual provision of rest to pastures, creating cultural pastures and other measures; (c) improve the irrigation of natural pastures and hayfields by restoring and construction of new wells and groundwater intake structures in order to create conditions for the use of remote summer pastures; (d) in order to rehabilitate previously sown hayfields and pastures to organize overseeding of fodder grasses on heavily degraded pastures; and (e) development of seed production of fodder and pasture crops in order to improve natural hayfields and pastures and creation of artificial pastures.
The main directions in resource provision are: (a) reducing the level of degradation, improving the state of pastures; (b) improvement of pasture infrastructure; (c) scientific and methodological activities; (d) spread of information; (e) financing of measures; and (f) monitoring and control over the progress and efficiency of work on implementation of the Program.
Expected results: (a) expanded participation of citizens in governance, distribution and use of pastures will contribute to the formation of equitable and socially acceptable distribution system; (b) significant intensification of the process of decentralization and increase of the role of local authorities; (c) production of cheap and ecofriendly livestock products; and (d) ecofriendly economic management of pastures will enable improvement of the state of ecosystems and conservation of rare and endangered wild fauna and wild flora species.