In the rugged mountains of northern Tajikistan, where an astounding 93% of its land covered by rugged terrain and only 7% of land is irrigated and arable, making every cultivated hectare a precious resource, Non-Commercial Cooperative Bio-Kishovarz, an organic farming cooperative has been rewriting the future of sustainable agriculture, driven by resilience, innovation, and the power of Fairtrade.

The northern Sughd Region, where NCC Bio-Kishovarz operates, is home to nearly two million people, about one-third of the national population, and is a heartbeat of Tajikistan’s agricultural economy. Around 70% of its population is engaged in farming, with cotton as the dominant cash crop.  Hence, cooperatives like NCC Bio-Kishovarz play a transformative role, supporting small-scale producers to thrive in a challenging yet vital agricultural landscape. 

Established in 2012, Bio-Kishovarz was founded with the support of GIZ and Helvetas Swiss Interoperation to champion a transformative vision: to promote sustainable organic agriculture that empowers farmers while safeguarding the environment. Born out of an urgent need to address pressing social, economic, and ecological challenges, the cooperative was created to reduce dependence on harmful agrochemicals, preserve natural resources, and ensure access to healthy, chemical-free food.

Growing Processing, Harvesting and Operations

The smallholder farmers in the cooperative cultivate organic and Fairtrade-certified crops across 6,918 hectares. With cotton occupying half of the total land and the rest dedicated to wheat, corn, peanuts, and legumes, the cooperative champions sustainable agriculture through crop rotation, organic fertilization, and eco-conscious practices. Situated at altitudes between 300 to 706 meters, the farmers harvest all crops by hand, reflecting a deep respect for the land and their craft. Each farmer operates under an individual contract, ensuring transparent processing, fair returns, and traceable pathways from farm to market. Certified by KIWA BCS Öko-Garantie GmbH and FLOCERT, the cooperative meets rigorous international standards, including EU Organic, GOTS, and NOP, with Bio Suisse in progress.

As a reliable supplier of high-quality seeds, organic fertilizers, and farm services, Bio-Kishovarz is also an innovation hub. From introducing seed encapsulation to reduce planting costs, to promoting combined sowing of cotton with legumes like peanuts and beans for soil enrichment, the cooperative ensures both productivity and environmental care. Field visits between districts foster peer learning and strengthen local farming knowledge through SWOT analyses. In 2024, the cooperative was expected to produce 9,740 tonnes of Fairtrade cotton and, in 2023, yielded 113.62 tonnes of 100% organic Fairtrade peanuts. With 6,000 hectares under Fairtrade cultivation (including 3,200 hectares certified organic), Bio-Kishovarz continues to set a benchmark for inclusive, sustainable, and forward-looking agriculture in Central Asia.

The cooperative operates through three core departments ensuring efficient, sustainable, and compliant production. The Production Department manages farmer selection, organic and Fairtrade training, harvest support, seed distribution, vermicomposting, and machinery services. It also runs a seed farm and promotes sustainable practices like natural pest control.

The Internal Control System (ICS) Department ensures certification compliance through soil, water, and crop analysis, farmer inspections, and quality control at processing stages. The Marketing Department handles documentation for organic transitions, develops sales strategies, and manages the marketing of cotton fiber and other crops. Together, these departments drive Bio-Kishovarz’s mission of ethical and sustainable farming.

Reimagining Farming in the Mountains

With Fairtrade certification in 2015, Bio-Kishovarz embarked on a journey to empower its1,906 farmers—45% of whom are women to farm with dignity, fairness, and purpose. With a core commitment to future generations, the cooperative set out not only to regenerate soil health and promote environmentally responsible farming but also to open pathways for its members to access international markets through organic and Fairtrade-certified products.

Cotton remains the region’s lifeblood and the cornerstone of the cooperative’s production. Through its Fairtrade certification, NCC Bio-Kishovarz strives to secure equitable market access and fair returns for its members, enabling them to improve their livelihoods while contributing to a more just and sustainable global agricultural system.

Turning Premium into Progress: Where Every Premium Spent tells a story

The Fairtrade Premium, has become the engine of transformation—fueling initiatives that extended beyond fields and into the very fabric of rural life.

Education for the Future

Three village schools were renovated using the Premium funds—giving over 500 children of farming families access to clean, safe, and inspiring classrooms. This investment rekindled dreams of a better future in places where harsh winters and crumbling infrastructure threatened attendance.

Access to Clean Water

In arid zones where irrigation dominates the conversation, the Fairtrade Premium made something even more essential possible: drinking water. A new well now supplies clean water to 150 families—bringing relief to women and children who once walked miles for a bucket of water.

Seed Sovereignty

With the establishment of a cotton seed fund, farmers now receive non-GMO, untreated seeds—improving yields, reducing costs, and ensuring long-term control over production. No more dependency on overpriced, chemically-treated seeds.

Farming Smarter, Growing Stronger

The cooperative’s holistic approach blends tradition with innovation. With Fairtrade’s backing, Bio-Kishovarz has introduced groundbreaking methods to enhance productivity and ecological balance:

Capsulated Seeds Innovation

By mixing cotton seeds with sand and organic fertilizer, farmers reduced sowing quantities by over 70%, cutting costs and optimizing field efficiency.

Intercropping Cotton with Peanuts & Beans

Using a pattern of 4 cotton rows followed by 2 peanut/bean rows, farmers naturally replenished soil nutrients—sodium, potassium, phosphorus—reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Field Learning Exchanges

Through district field visits, farmers share techniques, learn from successes and failures, and conduct SWOT analyses—building a culture of continuous learning and peer-to-peer mentorship.

Cotton & Peanuts: A Dual Path to Prosperity

Cotton remains the backbone of the cooperative’s income. Every season, the cycle begins with seeds from the Fairtrade-supported fund, followed by hands-on support through training, soil testing, and GMO inspections—all managed under strict Organic and Fairtrade certification protocols. After harvest, cotton is processed in certified ginneries and marketed internationally.

Meanwhile, peanuts are fast emerging as a hero crop. Low input, high return, and soil-enriching—peanuts are now being grown post-cotton in double-cropping systems, giving farmers a second income while improving land fertility and pest control.

Democracy in Action

At Bio-Kishovarz, every farmer matters. Organized into small groups with elected leaders, decisions are made democratically in general assemblies. A trio of dedicated departments—Production, ICS (Internal Control System), and Marketing—coordinate everything from trainings to inspections to international sales.

This people-centric structure ensures that every premium invested is a decision made by farmers, for farmers.

A Future Rooted in Fairness

What began as a response to over-farming and poverty has now become a model for climate-smart, fair, and resilient agriculture in Central Asia. The cooperative is a living example of how Fairtrade Premium, when invested thoughtfully, becomes more than just financial support—it becomes social capital.

As the cotton fields bloom each season and peanut rows stretch across enriched soils, Bio-Kishovarz continues to sow something far greater than crops: empowerment, equity, and enduring impact.