The Context

Uzbekistan is one of Central Asia’s best performing economies thanks to remittances, natural gas and oil refining, mining and agriculture. Major reforms are building a more open and market-oriented economy, with increased emphasis on agricultural exports and the productive potential of family farms (dehkans).

Agriculture accounted for 25 per cent of GDP in 2020, the highest in the region, and employs one in five people. Half of Uzbekistan’s 36 million people live in rural areas, including 75 per cent of the lower income population. Poverty rates have steadily declined over the past two decades, falling from 28 per cent in 2000 to 11 per cent in 2019.

Nevertheless, small-scale farmers still face significant challenges, notably limited access to land and irrigation water. Lack of productive assets, good infrastructure, energy, modern technology and knowledge for coping with natural disasters and climate change also contribute to low rural productivity.

The Strategy

IFAD aims to sustainably increase rural prosperity and improve the livelihoods of dehkans and small-scale producers by:

• Increasing resilience and productivity through sustainable interventions focusing on natural resources, especially land and water.
• Improving access to viable food systems and agricultural markets through competitiveness, innovation and business linkages.
• Enhancing enabling environments for inclusive rural transformation.

Country Facts

• Around a third of Uzbekistan’s land is degraded.
• Although Uzbekistan has a low incidence of undernourishment, its food security score is lower than the regional average.
• Uzbekistan’s GDP per capita was US$2,255 in 2021.