The Central Asia and the Caucasus Forum for Rural Advisory Services (CAC-FRAS), the Central Asia and the Caucasus Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (CACAARI), the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) and Green Business Innovation Co.Ltd organised for the first time a regional competition for  “The Best Rural Advisory Services providers in Central Asia and the Caucasus in 2016”.

In February 2017 the jury recognised the public organization "Neksigol Mushovir" as the best rural advisory services provider in Central Asia and the Caucasus Region in 2016

The purpose of this initiative is to promote and disseminate new approaches to RAS in regional agricultural innovation systems. The competition gained much interest from a wide variety of stakeholders. 

The objectives of the competition were:

• identifying and disseminating best practices and performances in RAS in the CAC region, as well as highlighting the role of RAS in the Agricultural Innovation System;
• attracting interest of the community of development and to enhance and increase RAS activities in the region;
• promoting activities of individual  extensionists, organizations, projects and initiatives in areas of RAS and extension;
• promoting competitiveness and investment attractiveness of the RAS  sector;

List of winners and awardees of the competition: 

Winner:

1. Public Organization “Neksigol Mushovir” 
   Best Rural Advisory Services in Central Asia and the Caucasus Region in 2016;
2. Mrs. Kanykei Irysbekovna Tursunbaeva, Kyrgyz republic 
   Best extension agent in Central Asia and the Caucasus Region in 2016;
3. Mrs. Tahmina Sayfulloeva, Tajikistan 
   Best extension agent among women in Central Asia and the Caucasus Region in 2016;
4. Mr. Nodar-Guram Toxosashvili, Georgia 
   Best young extension agent in Central Asia and the Caucasus Region in 2016;
5. Kyrgyz Public Fund “Training, Advisory and Innovation Center” 
   Best Rural Advisory Services in Agronomy in Central Asia and the Caucasus Region in 2016;
6. Ganja Agribusiness Association, Azerbaijan 
   Best Rural Advisory Services to promote organic agriculture in Central Asia and the Caucasus Region in 2016;
7. Georgian Farmers Association 
   Best Farmers’ Association providing extension services to farmers in Central Asia and the Caucasus Region in 2016;
8. Mrs. Zheksembekova Manshuk, Kazakhstan 
   Best Farmer providing extension services to farmers in Central Asia and the Caucasus Region in 2016.

Certificate of award/Aknowledgement of their contribution to RAS:

1. CACAARI
   for the Contribution to strengthening Extension Advisory Services Network in Central Asia and the Caucasus Region in 2016;
2. NGO KRASS
   for the Contribution to the development of Agricultural Extension Services in Uzbekistan in 2016;
3. Mrs. Nargiza Ludgate
   for the Contribution to integrating gender issues in Rural Advisory Services in Central Asia and the Caucasus Region in 2016;
4. Mrs. Lola Gaparova, Tajikistan
   for the Contribution to the Central Asia and the Caucasus Forum for Rural Advisory Services;
5. Mr. Ovezdurdy Jumadurdyyev
   for the Contribution to improving extension advisory service to farmers’ associations in Turkmenistan to mitigate climate change risks in 2016;
6. Mrs. Iroda Rustamova, Uzbekistan
   for the Contribution to improving extension advisory services to farmers in Uzbekistan in 2016.