According to a Turmush correspondent, the harvesting of valerian root has begun in the village of Maman. Currently, the price for raw root is 70 soms per kilogram.
Sherik Tabyldiev, the head of the "Nurdun" farm from the village of Maman, stated: "We are engaged in its collection, washing, and drying. Previously, all work was done manually, but now we use machinery, which significantly improves quality. Manual washing and drying sometimes led to a deterioration in the condition of the root; for example, it could mold due to insufficient drying. Now, farmers deliver the harvested root to the factory, where it is processed for export. Export prices have not yet been established, but we buy the root from farmers at 70 soms per kilogram."
In 2023, Turmush reported that most of the valerian ("myshyk tamyr") in the village of Maman is grown by local farmers.
Compared to last year, the purchasing prices for valerian this season have decreased by almost 1.6 times — from 95 to 60 soms per kilogram. For example, in 2019-2020, locals sold valerian for 300-350 soms per kilogram.
The total area where valerian is grown in the village of Maman is 350 hectares. At the beginning of the harvest, it was reported that the price per kilogram would be around 60 soms.
Kanatbek Osmonov, a resident of the village of Maman, has been growing valerian for 4 years. "I believe that valerian brings more profit than potatoes. We constantly promote this medicinal herb. Last year, valerian was sold for 95 soms, but this year there are no buyers even at 60 soms per kilogram. In the absence of demand, we simply bring the harvested crop back home and clean it. We mainly sell to resellers. Hiring a worker for harvesting costs 2000-3500 soms, which has become a serious financial burden for us," Osmonov shares.
Turmush previously reported that residents of the Oktyabrsky ayil aimak of the Ak-Suu district are also actively engaged in growing valerian and calendula, increasing the areas under these medicinal herbs.
If in 2020 valerian and calendula were planted on 90 hectares, in 2021 their areas increased to more than 250 hectares.
Villagers noted that in 2020 seedlings were sold for 1 som each, while in 2021 the price tripled to 3 soms.
In 2020, as reported by residents, a kilogram of valerian was sold for 300-350 soms, while prices for calendula ranged from 220 to 300 soms per kilogram.
Additionally, in 2020, there was a order for 200 tons of valerian from Germany.
Turmush also reported that farmers in the Issyk-Kul region can earn from 450,000 to 1 million soms by growing valerian.
