Uzbekistan - Stage 3
Area of divergence
• Demand-based Diversification of the Horticulture While horticultural diversification has attracted international attention and support from many donors in Uzbekistan, careful discussion is needed on what varieties should be diversified. It needs to be looked at comprehensively, reflecting domestic demand and packages that include funding and even infrastructure support for entering the market for other species. Proper infrastructure for proper sales of products should be based on accountability to expand the network, with preservation of the more prominent players at the market. • Lack o
... Read moref the Quarantine and Inspection Control Aspect Before making conclusions about food safety, it would be advisable to strengthen and check reports regarding quarantine and inspection control. Although there are instructions for checking products in the laboratory, farmers and other agricultural food producers are not fully aware of these instructions. Due to the massive volume of food productions, it is challenging to regulate and control it using only specialists. Also, as the excessive and improper use of pesticides is a serious issue, we need to reinforce measures about pesticide usage. While there are some sanitation stations in bazaars, technical specialists noticed that we need to control the volume of pesticide usage per region and district. • Adverse Effects of the Palm Oil Usage Palm tree oil is categorised as a type of vegetable oil, and it is allowed to be used with equivalent standards. However, in many cases, some companies use vegetable oil instead of animal fats with purpose to reduce the cost of production. . Often companies hide what oil they use. The role of the state in preventing paving on the part of food producers is very important here. The Center for Hygiene Agency is currently working with the Ministries on this possible usage, including the pros and cons of used cooking oils in food manufacturing. We are engaging a number of local and international experts and developing technical regulations on these issues. • Limited Understanding of the Definition of Food Security While we are now working on adopting a new strategy on food security in Uzbekistan with international indicators, there are issues related to the limited understanding and knowledge about what food security is. Food security is normally understood as ensuring sufficient food for all populations. However, it must include wider aspects and broader definitions, such as inclusiveness, equitable access, and physical access to nutrition. As Uzbekistan is a landlocked country, we do not have easy access to seafood, and access should be ensured for rural populations, as well as rights to land ownership and access to water resources. All these aspects should be included in the food security definition. It is necessary to ensure access to lands for vulnerable groups who do not have enough capital. • Need for a Coordinated Approach We need to implement improvement measures based on scientific proof and careful consideration of local needs and markets. We have recently been working on bringing in unconventional plants from South America and adapting them to the local soil. Since this plant contains many nutrients and is very useful for the human body, we are conducting a test project in Karakalpakstan. Last year, we submitted this project to the President, but when we proposed it to the farmers, they refused to produce it, saying there was no market for this product yet. A programme that does not take into account the local context, even if it is scientifically proven to be effective, cannot be an effective solution. Read less
Action Track(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Keywords: Data & Evidence, Environment and Climate, Finance, Governance, Human rights, Innovation, Policy, Trade-offs, Women & Youth Empowerment