Farmers participate in grape grafting training provided by the USAID AgLinks Plus Project, which teaches them innovations for increased crop yields.

USAID

To diversify Uzbekistan’s agriculture sector toward higher-value commodities, USAID partners with the government and the private sector on horticulture, viniculture, agro-processing, produce packaging and quality certification. USAID also facilitates trade within the region and to Europe and Asia.

Uzbekistan’s border with Afghanistan and its existing transportation infrastructure make it an attractive gateway for increasing Central Asian and Uzbek trade with Afghanistan and South Asia. Uzbekistan is expanding economic development through more extensive cross-border trade.

USAID facilitates Uzbek exports to Afghanistan and other neighboring countries, trains Uzbek companies on international quality standards, introduces and explains international best practices for manufacturing, and facilitates dialogue between domestic companies and government agencies on trade policies and practices.

Results:

• In 2019, USAID supported 1,916 microenterprises working throughout the horticulture value chain, primarily on the farm/production level. USAID continues to assist Uzbekistan with diversifying export markets.
• Over the last four years, USAID has incentivized 11,196 horticultural producers and processors to adopt new technologies and practices, improving agricultural practices on 16,170 hectares of horticultural farms.
• In 2019, USAID leveraged over $10 million in private sector investment in the establishment of new orchards, installation of water saving technologies, increase in cold chain capacity countrywide, and upgrades in product packaging, marketing, and branding to meet international standards.
• By providing 90,800 hours of training and working with 64 new consulting service providers, USAID has contributed to a 523 percent cumulative increase in farm yields, increasing income among targeted farmers by 107 percent.