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To learn more about how local communities are turning traditional knowledge and local resources into new economic opportunities, we spoke with Aigerim Umarbaeva, the OVOP (One Village, One Product) Coordinator for the Osh region.
From women launching home-based businesses to producers transforming local crops into market-ready products, Aigerim shared how communities across southern Kyrgyzstan are building more resilient livelihoods through entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration. She also reflected on the role of the RESILAND CA+ project in helping local producers move beyond training and gain access to real markets.
"The key drivers of change are the local communities—especially women and young people," says Aigerim. "Most participants initially produce only for their own households, but over time they begin thinking like entrepreneurs. They improve product quality, packaging, and branding, and start viewing their products as a business rather than simply something they make at home."
This shift is already visible across southern Kyrgyzstan. In the city of Osh, a homemaker who first joined the program out of curiosity now produces rice cookies on a regular basis and considers them a reliable source of income. In Uzgen, homemade corn cookies have evolved into a market-ready product, while communities in Aravan District have developed an entire line of rice-based products, including rice tea, rice scrub, and rice powder. Elsewhere, producers in Batken Region are expanding berry processing, while participants in Jalal-Abad Region are moving beyond selling raw walnuts to producing value-added walnut products.
"As they gain experience, they begin sharing knowledge and working together more systematically," Umarbaeva explains. "We're seeing the development of a sustainable entrepreneurial mindset within communities."
A central objective of the program is to help rural producers move beyond selling raw materials and instead create finished products that command higher market value.
Rather than introducing entirely new commodities, the initiative builds on resources already abundant in local communities—rice, walnuts, fruits, honey, and medicinal herbs. "We work with what already exists in villages," Umarbaeva says. "Together with participants, we transform local raw materials into a wide range of products—from nut butters, rice tea, cookies, dried fruits, juices, and concentrates to natural cosmetics and personal care products."
By creating multiple products from the same raw materials, communities diversify their income opportunities while responding to different market demands. At the same time, participants receive practical guidance on quality improvement, packaging, branding, and product positioning.
"The goal isn't simply to process raw materials," Umarbaeva notes. "Each product reflects the unique identity of its region. Producers increase their income through value addition rather than by selling larger quantities of raw materials, allowing them to gradually build sustainable small businesses."
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Environmental sustainability is woven into every stage of the program. Rather than relying on imported materials or resource-intensive production methods, the initiative emphasizes the responsible use of locally available resources.
"Our products are based on what communities already have—fruits, walnuts, honey, rice, and herbs," says Umarbaeva. "This reduces unnecessary pressure on the environment while strengthening local economies."
The program also promotes efficient resource use by encouraging participants to maximize every harvest. Whenever possible, a single raw material is transformed into several products, while production waste is minimized or repurposed. "The result is a production model built on natural ingredients, responsible resource use, and environmental stewardship," she says. "That is the foundation of sustainable development at the community level."
Beyond economic development, the initiative helps preserve local traditions by integrating cultural identity into product development. Products are viewed not only as commercial goods but also as expressions of local heritage. Producers are encouraged to incorporate traditional recipes, regional stories, ethnic design elements, and local craftsmanship into their branding.
"We teach producers to think about more than ingredients," Umarbaeva explains. "Every product carries the story of its community."
In Jalal-Abad Region, walnut products have become closely associated with the area's identity, while traditional felt-making, natural materials, and other handicrafts reinforce connections to local culture. These efforts are also creating new opportunities for rural tourism. Visitors increasingly seek authentic experiences that allow them to observe production processes, participate in workshops, and learn traditional techniques firsthand. "People come not only to buy products but also to see how they're made, taste them, and take part in the experience," says Umarbaeva. "This creates a more complete regional offering where products, culture, and visitor experiences all support one another."
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While training has been a cornerstone of the program, sustainable livelihoods ultimately depend on access to markets.
According to Umarbaeva, support from the RESILAND CA+ project has helped bridge that gap. "RESILAND CA+ enabled us to move from training to actual sales, and that has been a major milestone," she says. "Previously, southern Kyrgyzstan didn't have a unified platform where products from local producers could be consistently showcased and sold."
The opening of the RESILAND-supported community store in Osh has changed that. Bringing together products from communities across southern Kyrgyzstan, the store serves as both a retail outlet and a showcase for the region's local products and entrepreneurship. "It is much more than a shop," Umarbaeva says. "It demonstrates how locally available resources can be transformed into high-quality finished products."
The store also houses a dedicated training space where producers receive practical instruction on production techniques, quality improvement, certification, business registration, and market access. Participants can immediately apply newly acquired skills, creating a direct connection between training and commercial success. "This approach allows us to support producers every step of the way," Umarbaeva explains. "We don't simply provide training—we help communities develop products that are ready for the market and connect them with real sales opportunities."
As local entrepreneurs continue to strengthen their businesses, the program is demonstrating that resilient rural development is built not only through investment, but through empowering communities to unlock the value of their own resources, traditions, and ideas. By combining entrepreneurship, sustainability, and cultural heritage, the initiative is helping create stronger local economies that can thrive for generations to come.