Transformation of employment in the agricultural sector of Kyrgyzstan: Challenges and prospects

The article explored the transformation of rural employment in the Kyrgyz Republic as a crucial factor of socio-economic development and food security. The relevance of the research is due to the fact that the agricultural sector remains the primary employer in rural areas, yet its progress is constrained by contradictions: limited labour efficiency, widespread informal practices, and large-scale migration of the working-age population. The aim of the study was to determine trends and promising directions of employment transformation in Kyrgyz agriculture. The methodological framework relied on systemic and comparative approaches, statistical data, and materials from international organisations. The application of SWOT analysis made it possible to classify internal and external factors affecting the sustainability of the labour market. The conditions influencing employment have been analysed, including fragmented landholding, insufficient mechanisation, weak cooperative integration, and institutional barriers. Social and demographic disparities have been identified, particularly the outflow of young people and persistent gender imbalances. It was emphasised that agriculture continues to play a stabilising role, offsetting the shortage of jobs in other sectors. Based on the results, measures have been proposed to improve employment: strengthening cooperative organisations, introducing digital solutions, diversifying rural activities through processing and agritourism, and expanding government support programs. The practical value of the study lies in the opportunity to use the findings for designing employment policies, reducing poverty, and reinforcing the role of the agricultural sector in the national economy