The initiative, prepared by the Cabinet of Ministers, is aimed at creating a legal framework for the cultivation of medicinal plants in agriculture, reducing the burden on natural resources, and increasing opportunities for state support for farmers.
Cultivation of Medicinal Plants
One of the main changes is the official recognition of the possibility of agricultural production of medicinal plants.
Within the framework of the draft law, it is proposed to:
- allow the cultivation of medicinal plants within agricultural production;
- include medicinal plants in the strategies for the development of the agri-food sector;
- define the conditions for the use of wild medicinal plants for their cultivation in agricultural conditions.
The law "On the Development of Agriculture" will also include a provision on selective-genetic methods related to the cultivation of medicinal plants such as valerian, calendula, sage, saffron, ferula, aconite, arnebia, rhodiola rosea, licorice, sea buckthorn, rosehip, barberry, thyme, chamomile, and St. John's wort.
Changes to the Law on Plant Life
The amendments also concern the law "On the Protection and Use of Plant Life."
In particular, it is planned to:
- expand the rights of individuals and legal entities to cultivate medicinal plants through agricultural means;
- introduce a new type of use of plant life objects — wild medicinal plants for cultivation;
- clarify the types of use of plant life;
- align the powers of state bodies with the current management system, replacing references to the government with the Cabinet of Ministers;
- clarify the procedure for regulating, controlling, and exploiting plant life objects.
As the initiators indicate, the adoption of this law will provide farmers with access to state support measures, such as subsidies, preferential loans, and technical assistance, as well as create incentives for attracting investments in the sector. It is expected that this will lead to the diversification of agriculture, the emergence of new sources of income for the rural population, an expanded range of agricultural products, and the strengthening of the country's export potential.
According to information from the justification note, Kyrgyzstan has significant natural resources of medicinal plants; however, their uncontrolled collection contributes to the depletion of resources and threatens the extinction of certain species. Currently, medicinal plants are not considered agricultural crops, which creates legal barriers to their cultivation on agricultural land and obtaining state support.
