August 4–5, 2025 — the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) and Rabobank’s Acorn team jointly organized the first Carbon Removal Unit (CRU) incentive payment ceremonies in Issyk-Kul Province, Kyrgyzstan. These events marked an important milestone, demonstrating the project’s transition into a full implementation phase.
The first payment ceremony was held on August 4 in Balykchy city, Issyk-Kul Province. Around 15 farmers attended, with two farmers receiving their first CRU payments. Although some could not participate due to farming schedules and long travel distances, those present witnessed the tangible results of their efforts for the first time. On August 5, the second ceremony took place in Tosor village, where around 20 farmers joined and four received CRU payments. On the same day, AFoCO and the Rabobank Acorn team visited a local nursery and potential project sites near Kyzyl Suu, reviewing progress and exploring opportunities for further expansion.
In total, about 35 farmers attended across two villages, and six farmers received incentive CRU payments. These ceremonies went beyond the delivery of incentives: they strengthened trust with farmers and gave visibility to the project’s progress.
Meaning and Process of CRU Payments
Rabobank Acorn’s CRU payments are not just annual subsidies. They follow a clear and transparent process that ensures fairness and trust:
- Verified internationally: CRUs are only issued after they are checked and certified by Plan Vivo and reviewed by an independent third party.
- Based on real results: Farmers receive payments only when the carbon captured by their trees adds up to at least 1 CRU. This means rewards are tied directly to actual climate benefits.
- Fully transparent: All CRUs can be tracked publicly, from issuance to retirement, down to the level of individual farms.
- Farmer-focused: Farmers keep 70% of the revenues, while the rest goes to monitoring and running the system.
This process makes sure that the carbon market remains credible and transparent, while also motivating farmers to continue sustainable land management for the long term.
Key Remarks
During the ceremonies, representatives from AFoCO and Rabobank shared their perspectives on the significance of the event. Their remarks highlighted both the symbolic value of the incentive payments and the importance of Plan Vivo’s verification process before official CRU payments can be made.
Mr. Sungho Choi, Team Leader, Carbon Projects Team, AFoCO:
“For many Kyrgyz farmers, this incentive payment was the first time they could visibly experience the value of joining the carbon market. While the official CRU payments will follow after Plan Vivo’s verification process, this ceremony marks an important starting point — building trust and motivating farmers to stay engaged for the future.”.”
Mr. Harm HaverKort, Asia Lead, Acorn Rabobank:
“The essence of Acorn is to give smallholders access to the carbon market. These initial incentive payments are a tangible signal of progress and a vital step toward strengthening trust and cooperation. Once Plan Vivo verification is completed, the farmers will receive their official CRU payments. Rabobank will continue working with AFoCO to improve farmers’ livelihoods while contributing to climate change solutions.”
Global Context: Acorn Payment Ceremonies Worldwide
The incentive payment ceremonies in Kyrgyzstan are part of a broader series of Acorn initiatives taking place around the world. Similar events in other countries have demonstrated how payout ceremonies not only deliver financial rewards but also strengthen community trust and farmer participation.
- Tanzania (2025): Over 500 farmers attended a payout ceremony, joined by a government minister, who highlighted Acorn’s model where 80% of revenues return to farmers.
- Kenya–Uganda (Mount Elgon region): About 300 participants joined a community celebration featuring speeches and local performances that conveyed the meaning of carbon finance in an accessible way.
These global cases show how Acorn ceremonies play a crucial role in strengthening farmer participation, building community trust, and raising awareness among stakeholders.
Looking Ahead
Although these were symbolic incentive payments, they mark an important first step. Building on the success of these first incentive payments, AFoCO and Rabobank will continue to expand support so that more farmers can prepare to benefit directly from future CRU revenues.
As part of this process, the project will proceed with Plan Vivo’s verification steps, after which official CRU payments will be made to farmers.
In the meantime, AFoCO and Rabobank will strengthen farmer training and technical support to ensure that sustainable agroforestry practices are widely adopted, helping communities build trust and stay engaged in the long term.
