Inside Uzbekistan's agricultural transformation: Technology, investment and food security

Agriculture remains an important part of Uzbekistan's economy, but the sector faces growing pressure to increase productivity while managing limited land and water resources. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The government is introducing new farming methods, irrigation systems and digital technologies to improve crop yields and support domestic food production, while helping producers compete in international markets. According to Agriculture Minister Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, Uzbekistan produces around 26 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables annually, with agricultural products reaching 92 international markets. The government aims to increase food exports to $10bn (€8.6bn) by 2030. It has also designated 2026–2030 as a priority period for food security, focusing on domestic production and reducing dependence on certain imports. Higher yields and modern fruit production One of the government's priorities is to increase agricultural output without relying solely on expanding cultivated land. "We are paying particular attention to increasing yields through scientific research and the introduction of new innovations. This is important, first and foremost, from the perspective of food security," said Shamshod Ergashev, Head of the Secretariat of the Minister of Agriculture. In 2025, cotton was grown on approximately 875,600 hectares, compared with more than one million hectares in previous years. Despite the reduction, production reached nearly four million tonnes, according to Ergashev. He also said Uzbekistan harvested 10 million tonnes of grain in 2026, partly due to improved seed treatment and planting methods. Uzbekistan has around 572,600 hectares of orchards and vineyards, with plans to develop 172,000 hectares of modern, high-yield orchards between 2026 and 2028. "Traditional orchards used to produce seven to ten tonnes of fruit per hectare. Now, with trees grown on dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks, we are achieving 30 to 35 tonnes, and in some cases even 50 to 60 tonnes," said Abror Jo'rayev, Head of the Republican Horticulture Development Department. At a 138-hectare orchard growing apples, pears, plums, peaches and apricots, modern cultivation methods are already being used. A representative of the enterprise, Qahramon Ilhombekov, said the farm produces an average of 35 tonnes of apples per hectare. "We can produce 50 tonnes, but that puts too much pressure on the trees. At 30 to 35 tonnes, we get fruit with the size, colour and quality we want," he explained. To encourage investment, the government has introduced preferential loans of up to 120 million soums (€8,873) per hectare for orchard development, with a seven-year loan term, including a three-year grace period. Farmers can also receive maintenance subsidies of five million soums (€370) per hectare annually for three years, alongside support for irrigation equipment and planting materials. Irrigation investment and agricultural technology Water scarcity remains a major challenge for Uzbekistan's agricultural sector, making irrigation efficiency an investment priority. According to the World Bank, agriculture accounts for around 90% of Uzbekistan's water consumption. In May 2025, the bank approved a $200m (€172m) project to modernise irrigation infrastructure across five regions. The project aims to reduce annual water losses by approximately 540 million cubic metres and improve irrigation services across 232,000 hectares of agricultural land. At farm level, drip irrigation is helping farmers manage water consumption and fertiliser application more precisely. "Water scarcity is becoming an increasing problem. With drip irrigation, water reaches the tree itself rather than the surrounding soil," Jo'rayev explained. The country received 100 Chinese-made agricultural drones in 2026 through an initiative involving the Ministry of Agriculture and World Bank support. Half are intended for remote monitoring of farmland, while the others will be used for fertiliser application, pest control and other agricultural operations. The government is also developing satellite-based crop monitoring, geographic information systems and AI applications for yield forecasting and pest detection. Meanwhile, digital platforms are being developed to simplify agricultural subsidies and services, with the Agroportal and Agrosubsidy systems intended to reduce administrative procedures. Climate resilience and financing Uzbekistan is also seeking investment in agricultural practices that can better withstand environmental pressures. The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) has been involved in climate-smart agricultural projects, including initiatives in Karakalpakstan. "Our intervention was mainly about how to scale up climate-smart solutions in agriculture, from pilots to larger investment projects," said Bakhtiyar Radjabov, Senior Officer for Green Growth Policy and Government Liaison at GGGI. GGGI has supported Uzbek commercial banks in issuing green bonds on the London Stock Exchange to mobilise financing for environmentally focused projects. Radjabov also highlighted an agrifood investment platform involving the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Agriculture, which aims to mobilise around $1.5bn (€1.3bn) for the sector. He stressed the need for stronger local expertise and the capacity of agricultural businesses to adopt new technologies, particularly as water scarcity, soil salinity and land degradation continue to affect the sector. Balancing exports and domestic food security Uzbekistan's agricultural strategy combines plans to increase export revenues with efforts to strengthen domestic food supplies. The government is encouraging investment in food processing, packaging and higher-value agricultural production to help local producers meet international market requirements. However, Uzbekistan remains dependent on imports for some essential food products, including vegetable oil and sugar. "We are introducing new technologies in farming and horticulture, increasing productivity and expanding the export geography of our fruit and vegetables to new countries," Ergashev said. The longer-term results will depend on whether these investments help farmers improve productivity, manage costs and expand access to markets while responding to water shortages and climate pressures.