This year, our organization aimed to promote the branding and selling skills of farmers from communities in the Naryn and Issyk-Kul regions, with whom we have been working over the past four years.
From June 10 to 14, 2024, in the villages of Uchkun, Ak-Zhar, Ak-Kiya, and Emgekchil in the Naryn region, and from June 17 to 24 in the villages of Toguz-Bulak, Konur-Olon, Kara-Koo, Kara-Shaar, and the Bokonbay-Manjily community in the Issyk-Kul region, trainer Askar Sulaimanov conducted a training titled “Opportunities for Promoting Permaculture Products in Domestic and Foreign Markets.” The training focused on promoting clean, natural products produced in these villages.
The training covered key business concepts, including a general understanding of business, the specifics of agribusiness, methods for starting a business in this field, and important factors to consider. Participants were divided into teams and engaged in a brainstorming activity to explore ideas for what they could grow, produce, and create.
The trainer provided recommendations on how to sell each product and discussed strategies with participants on how to profit from them. He also explained in detail the standards for product quality, certification requirements, and the process of obtaining certification. Additionally, he highlighted the role of marketing in product promotion.
Participants asked questions throughout the training, discussing topics such as potential customer bases, strategies for distribution and independent sales, and alternative sales channels. Branding was another key topic, with the trainer emphasizing the importance of an appealing product for customers, which includes details like composition, production date, and place of origin. He also outlined the necessary documentation for starting a private business and the requirements for operating as a legal entity. For example, he explained the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a private business certificate and considerations for forming an LLC.
Most participants expressed interest in joining a commercial cooperative, asking about its benefits and challenges, and showing a strong desire for more information. In response, the trainer recommended that we consider developing a project to establish a commercial cooperative for these villages.
