Apple Festival Unites Villages of Southern Issyk-Kul

On October 10, 2008, the Association of Orchardists and the Gardens and Plastics (GAP) project held the Third Annual Apple Festival in the village of Kyzyl-Tuu on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyz Republic

As promised, the Third Annual Apple Festival was a spectacular event with approximately 800 participants, visitors and guests at the Festival. During the opening ceremony, Festival participants and guests were welcomed by the deputy Governor of the Issyk-Kul Oblast, Ms. Svetlana Mamedova, Deputies of Parliament, Ms. Guljamal Sultanalieva and Ms. Jyldyz Rahimidinova, Akim of Ton rayon, Mr. Kurmanbek Erjanov, Head of Ak-Terek Aiyl Okmotuu, Mr. Kubat Abramanov and heads of Ulahol, Tort-Kul, Jaryrchak, Semisbel, and Darkhan local administrations, the Country Director of Mercy Corps Kyrgyzstan, and the Chief Financial Officer of Kompanion Financial Group.

Participating communities and guests had a chance to purchase delicious organic Issyk-Kul apples from local gardens directly from the gardeners; view an exhibition of traditional handicrafts and buy their favorites; see and buy yurts produced in Kyzyl-Tuu and Kara-Koo; taste the best apple pies in the region; enjoy traditional Kyrgyz cuisine in the yurts; listen to live music performed by local musicians, and observe contests and competitions between Ton and Djeti-Oguz communities. The Festival closed with an Award ceremony, during which the Association of Orchardists presented certificates to all of the GAP communities for their outstanding achievements in the development of their communities, the conservation of Kyrgyz apple varieties, and their commitment to keeping the Issyk-Kul region environmentally safe for the sustainable harvest of Issyk-Kul organic apples.

"This is the first Apple Festival organized by the newly established Association of Orchardists and, we hope, that this event will be a celebration and bring new economic opportunities for the local communities in the region. The tradition of holding the Apple Festival began in 2006 with the communities of Tosor and Tamga villages, who were the first participants of The Apple Project. Today is the Third Annual Apple Festival and it represents the successes and tremendous efforts of TAP and GAP home gardeners to become the number one producers of organic fruits in Kyrgyzstan. This Festival is the largest Apple Festival in Kyrgyzstan and, as far as I know, in Central Asia," says Robin Currey, Mercy Corps Deputy Country Director, initiator of The Apple Project and Kompanion Scientific Advisor.

The Gardens and Plastics project

The Gardens and Plastics (GAP) project, is a community mobilization and technical assistance development initiative aimed at enhancing the income earning potential of rural households through improved horticultural and business practices, organic production methods and fostering linkages between household gardeners and purchasers of both apples and recyclable materials. Building on the successes of The Apple Project, Mercy Corps and its micro credit financial institution, Kompanion, continue work that they began together in 2005, fostering the economic growth of households in Issyk-Kul Oblast in the fruit tree sector.

GAP is jointly funded and implemented by Mercy Corps (Phoenix Fund) and Kompanion. Kompanion and Mercy Corps continue to support the communities that participated in TAP, leveraging their experience and thriving home garden businesses to catalyze the mobilization of home gardeners in other communities.

Kompanion is a community development financial institution established by Mercy Corps Kyrgyzstan in 2004. Kompanion's mission is to be the leading community development financial institution in Kyrgyzstan.

Registered with the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kompanion is represented in all oblasts and regions of Kyrgyzstan providing services to more than 63,000 customers (September 2008) and is the second largest financial institution in Kyrgyzstan as measured by the number of customers. Kompanion supports the strengthening and growth of communities by offering development products and services to entrepreneurs and individuals.

Mercy Corps is a leading global economic development and aid organization. Kompanion represents the culmination of 14 years of work by Mercy Corps in micro credit and its desire to leave an enduring and sustainable community development financial institution as its legacy to the people of Kyrgyzstan.