The Workshop on Smallholders and Family Farmers and the Implementation of UNDROP was successfully conducted from July 18th to 20th, 2024, in Stepnogorsk, Akmolinsk region of Kazakhstan. Organized by Zher-Ana Astana and supported by the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (FAO REU), with the participation of Schola Campesina, this event gathered local agroecological farmers and members of Zher-Ana Astana Agroecology school, small food producers, craftsmen, and agroecology activists. Zher-Ana Astana, a member of the Bilim Agroecology Network, was motivated by the network’s experience in organizing this event.
The first day included a round table with the participation of farmers, where they engaged in open dialogues with authorities and representatives of political parties, addressing the most pressing issues, ranging from the lack of support for small and family farmers to potential schemes for the establishment of rural cooperatives. With the participation of Schola Campesina, the discussion on the potential of agroecology in Kazakhstan was initiated. Schola Campesina then shared valuable insights on the role and significance of UNDROP. A tasting and exhibition of farmers’ and craftsmen’s products, showcasing the great capacity for processing food on a small scale, took place in the hall before the round table. These efforts were well appreciated by all participants and representatives of the institutions, despite the challenges posed by national legislation, particularly the sanitary rules that do not favor small-scale operations.
On the second day, the members of Zher-Ana Astana Agroecology School and guests from Schola Campesina gathered in an informal atmosphere in an authentic rural house restored by one of the school members. They discussed agroecology principles and their application at the local level. The participants shared their experiences in running agroecology farms, diversifying income sources for farmers, building trust-based relationships with customers, and engaging in local direct selling. They also addressed the demand for healthy, quality products and the challenges of obtaining bio certification, with insights from a representative of a local certification company.
On the third day, the participants gathered in the field of Gulmaira Baimakova, the head of Zher-Ana Astana organisation and Zher-Ana agroecology school, to share their personal stories, successes and challenges, and discuss the importance of networking and agroecology schools role to support agroecology farming in the country. They also discussed future plans, including organizing local farmers’ markets and new agroecology school training. The work of Gulmaira Baimakova was highly praised by the local authorities, who honored her with the title of “Honored Citizen of Stepnogorsk.” The event concluded with a large lunch prepared in the field using products from local farms.
