Bee farm is opened at Ak-Dobo village with Kumtor’s support

published: 17 June 2016

Opening ceremony of the Altyn Aary bee farm took place on June 10 in Ak-Dobo village, Jety-Oguz district. The farm was established within the Global Environment Fund/UNDP project, in partnership with the State Agency for Environment Protection and Forestry (SAEPF) and Kumtor Gold Company.

Since 2015 at the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, Ak-Dobo village, Altyn Aary community started operations for development of local bee farming near one of protected areas of Issyk-Kul State Natural Reserve.

The aim of establishing the bee farm is in promotion of local bee farming and obtaining ecological benefits. Particularly, selling bee farming output products will allow to increase income of a ranger and his family members, who are responsible for protecting Kokui-Kol area of the Issyk-Kul Natural Reserve. The project is intended to improve living conditions of a family, and also protection of bio diversity of the natural reserve. Also one of the goals is strengthening the environment literacy of local population and promotion of local eco-tourism. Bee farming equipment, including the beehives and the platform for its transportation was purchased with the support of small grants program of GEF/UNDP.

Kumtor Gold Company became the partner of the initiative and rendered the sponsorship aid in the amount of 102,000 soms, directed for the purchase of the GAZ-66 truck with the cabin. This truck is necessary for transportation of the platform with hives in warm season to mountainous areas for improving the honey quality and increasing the harvest.

“Our Company strives to support local producers and therefore this focus of our investments is one of our priorities in supporting local producers. We are glad to be a part of this initiative and contribute to the development of the farm” – noted Aktilek Tungatarov, Sustainable Development Director.

The first honey was harvested in the autumn 2015. In addition, on the basis of the eco-farm, farmer established an information boards about bee’s life, their role of pollinizers on the planet, as well as the beneficial properties of honey and bee products. It is expected that tourists will visit the bee farm and will be offered the mini-tours and honey tasting.