A recent study coauthored by the UzFarmBarometer project researchers sheds light on the adoption of cotton combine services and its impact on farm technical efficiency in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Drawing on data from 511 cotton-growing farms collected in 2019, the study employs stochastic frontier analysis to explore the role of mechanization in improving productivity.

The findings reveal that mechanized cotton harvesting through combine services enhances technical efficiency by streamlining the harvesting process. However, the adoption and benefits vary significantly between the two countries. In Kazakhstan, where the cotton sector has been liberalized, over half of the surveyed farmers use combines, driven by labor availability and costs. Conversely, in Uzbekistan, combines are less common due to historical reliance on manual labor and government control.

The study highlights key determinants of efficiency, such as crop diversification and soil quality. Interestingly, Uzbek farmers were found to be more technically efficient than their Kazakh counterparts, albeit less productive, reflecting the different institutional and market environments. The research emphasizes the need for tailored mechanization policies that consider regional labor dynamics and provide alternative employment opportunities for displaced workers.

These insights offer valuable guidance for policymakers aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability through mechanization in Central Asia.

The full paper is available at:

Bilal, M., Tadjiev, A., Djanibekov, N. (2024). "The adoption of cotton combine services and farm technical efficiency: evidence from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan." Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies. https://doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-06-2024-0207

In a significant move towards agricultural modernization, Uzbekistan has undertaken substantial reforms to transition from a state-controlled agricultural system to a market-oriented one. The recent contribution by the UzFarmBarometer project researchers to a book New Uzbekistan, edited by Bakhrom Mirkasimov and Richard Pomfret, provides a review of the recent transformative changes in agricultural sector of Uzbekistan, highlighting the Agri-food Development Strategy for 2020-2030. This strategy aims to modernize and diversify the agricultural sector, reduce state intervention, and promote private investments, ensuring sustainable and competitive growth.

The reforms have notably liberalized the cotton and wheat markets, abolished state quotas, and introduced public grain reserves to stabilize wheat prices. These changes have led to increased productivity and higher farm-gate prices, significantly benefiting farmers. The government has also taken steps to eliminate forced labor in cotton picking, transitioning to fair recruitment methods and acceptable monetary remuneration, which have been supported by awareness-raising campaigns on labor rights and increased wages for cotton pickers.

The establishment of cotton-textile clusters has played a crucial role in the reforms, enhancing processing efficiency and providing farmers with better access to inputs and investment in new machinery and textile equipment. These clusters are expected to boost export revenues by accessing international textile markets. However, the transition has not been without challenges. Issues such as cluster monopsony, land tenure insecurity, and the lack of farmers' bargaining power within the newly established system pose significant obstacles.

The horticulture and livestock sectors have seen substantial growth, with the government setting ambitious goals to increase fruit and vegetable exports and diversify export markets. Despite the positive developments, small-scale farmers and smallholders still face significant challenges due to fragmentation and limited access to modern production technologies and markets. The government aims to support these sectors by improving market access and attracting public investment in productivity-enhancing initiatives.

Overall, Uzbekistan's agricultural reforms represent a bold and historically unprecedented effort to increase agricultural production and competitiveness. By addressing both long-standing and emerging challenges, these reforms aim to create a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agricultural sector that can support the country's economic growth and food security goals.

The book chapter can be accessed here:

Djanibekov, N., Petrick, M., Herzfeld, T. (2024) Agriculture and rural development reforms. In: Mirkasimov, B., Pomfret, R. (eds.) New Uzbekistan: The Third Renaissance. Routledge, pp. 112-134.

A recent publication with contribution of the UzFarmBarometer project researchers highlights critical insights into the resilience of farmers in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Amid significant economic shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and rising input prices, the study reveals that agricultural training and enhanced decision-making autonomy are pivotal in maintaining farm technical efficiency. This resilience is crucial for the sustainable development of agrifood systems in Central Asia's volatile environment.

Using unique panel datasets from 2018 to 2021, researchers found that farms which received extensive training and greater production-related autonomy were better equipped to handle price surges in key inputs like oil, diesel, and chemical fertilizers. These findings underscore the importance of providing public goods such as training and creating an enabling environment that empowers farmers. Notably, the ability to maintain high technical efficiency while reducing the use of environmentally harmful inputs also points to a move towards more sustainable farming practices.

These results have significant policy implications. For governments in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, investing in agricultural training and granting farmers more autonomy can enhance the resilience of agrifood systems. Such measures are aligned with Uzbekistan's Agrifood Development Strategy 2020-2030, aiming to diversify agriculture and improve land tenure security. Continuous data collection and tailored policy strategies will be essential in supporting these initiatives, providing a roadmap for other regions facing similar socioeconomic challenges.

The paper can be accessed here:

Takeshima, H., Djanibekov, N., Abduvallieva, B., Mirkasimov, B., Akramov, K. (2024): Resilience in technical efficiency and enabling factors: Insights from panel farm enterprise surveys in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Applied Economics, https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2024.2405203

A recent publication coauthored by the UzFarmBarometer project researchers highlights the growing impact of social media on farm performance in Central Asia. The study investigates the determinants and impact of farmers' participation in social media groups within the irrigated areas of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The research, based on a 2022 survey of cotton-growing farm managers, explores how farmers use social media groups for information exchange and the subsequent effects on their agricultural practices. The findings reveal that participation in these groups is influenced by various factors, including age, education, mobile internet access, and farm location. Notably, younger farmers with better mobile internet connectivity and those open to new technologies are more likely to engage in these digital communities.

The study underscores the significant benefits of social media group participation, which include improved access to timely and relevant agricultural information, enhanced decision-making, and increased farm productivity. In Kazakhstan, farmers participating in social media groups tend to be younger, better educated, and more connected digitally, while in Uzbekistan, the emphasis is on the practical benefits of mobile internet for farm business. These insights are crucial for developing strategies to promote digital technologies among farmers, aiming to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability in Central Asia.

The paper can be accessed here:

Kurbanov, Z., Tadjiev, A., Djanibekov, N., Akramkhanov, A., Govind, A. (2024) Farmers’ participation in messenger-based social groups and its effects on performance in irrigated areas of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Agribusiness. https://doi.org/10.1002/agr.21995

The policy brief based on this study can be accessed here:

Djanibekov, N., Kurbanov, Z., Tadjiev, A., Govind, A., Akramkhanov, A. (2023): Farmers' social media groups for better extension and advisory services. IAMO Policy Brief No. 46, Halle (Saale).

A study published in the International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability reveals the significant economic benefits of adopting zero tillage practices among smallholder farmers in Kyrgyzstan. The research, conducted by UzFarmBarotmer project researchers, employs data from 878 rural households in Kyrgyzstan to investigate the impact of zero tillage on production costs using an endogenous switching regression model.

The study identifies key factors influencing the adoption of zero tillage, including employment in agriculture, the remoteness of plots, and limited access to machinery services, which all encourage its adoption. Conversely, higher household wealth, a greater number of plots, and the use of chemical fertilizers decrease the likelihood of farmers adopting zero tillage methods.

Economically, the findings are striking: zero tillage reduces land preparation costs by 23%, despite increasing hired labor and herbicide costs by 13% and 15%, respectively. Overall, the total production costs are reduced by 15%, making zero tillage a highly viable option for resource-scarce smallholders, especially those in remote areas. The study underscores the importance of government support in providing access to specialized machinery and implements to fully realize the benefits of zero tillage. This research provides valuable insights and policy recommendations to enhance the sustainability and economic viability of smallholder farming in Central Asia.

The paper can be accessed here:

Tadjiev, A., Djanibekov, N., Herzfeld, T. (2023): Does zero tillage save or increase production costs? Evidence from smallholders in Kyrgyzstan. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 21 (1), 2270191. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2023.2270191

On November 8, 2024, Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA). This partnership aims to leverage research and education to address agricultural challenges, especially in the context of climate resilience and sustainable development in saline and water-scarce regions. Through collaborative projects, WIUT and ICBA will promote innovative agricultural practices and facilitate knowledge exchange, supporting Uzbekistan’s commitment to sustainable development goals.

The event dedicated to “Climate Change and Women in Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities in the CAC Region” was held in Baku on 22-23 October 2024. The event was based on the WACAA (Women Alliance for Climate Action in Agriculture) Regional Dialogue in the Central Asia and Caucasus Region (CAC), which is an initiative of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA). Organized under the framework of Agriculture for Tomorrow and supported by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), this two-day event gathers 30 distinguished women experts from research and academic institutions across Central Asia and the Caucasus. The dialogue explores the intersection of climate change and women in agriculture, focusing on gender equality, women’s leadership, and climate resilience in agricultural practices. ICBA has recently established a partnership with CPRO. To strengthen the collaboration, the Director of CPRO, Dr Bekzod Zakirov, attended the regional dialogue with his presentation on “Sustainable future through women’s participation in agriculture in Uzbekistan”.

ICBA is a non-profit worldwide research organization dedicated to sustainable agriculture in saline and dry settings was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. Its mission is to improve food security and agricultural productivity by creating creative, resource-efficient farming methods that can survive climate change, water scarcity, and salinity of the soil. ICBA works with governments, scholars, and communities in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa to carry out research-based initiatives, encourage women to work in agriculture, and raise farming communities' standard of living through resource conservation and sustainable practices.

ICBA and other organizations have assisted Uzbekistan in empowering women in agricultural literacy, especially at the conference on the role of women in agriculture. The goal of ICBA's projects in Uzbekistan, including new agreements, is to increase women's involvement in agriculture by giving them access to agricultural research, leadership development opportunities, and capacity-building efforts. In addition to improving their livelihoods, these programs aim to assist female farmers in implementing sustainable farming methods and promote their active participation in rural development decision-making processes. These initiatives support female farmers' adoption of sustainable farming methods, enhance their economic stability, and significantly contribute to food security. By tackling gender inequality and encouraging resource-efficient farming methods, these initiatives enable women to play a significant role in moving Uzbekistan's agriculture industry toward increased sustainability and resilience.

Gender is crucial to agricultural sustainability and climatic resilience in Uzbekistan. Women make up more than 40% of the agricultural workforce and play a vital role in efforts to improve nutrition, food security, and climate adaptation. Nevertheless, they encounter obstacles such as restricted access to funding, resources, and platforms for decision-making. Women in rural areas are disproportionately affected by climate change because of gender inequality, which puts additional pressure on their roles in providing resources and food for their community. Promoting gender equality and developing successful climate adaptation measures need to empower women in agriculture through leadership opportunities, education, and resource access.

The event highlighted the importance of addressing climate change, food security, and sustainable farming through advanced technologies and partnerships. Key takeaways included promoting biosaline agriculture, using drought-resistant crops, and fostering international cooperation for food security. Additionally, the main arguments of the conference were the promotion of women’s rights to landownership, access to agricultural inputs and financing. Generally, in the CAC region, this strategic debate highlighted the pressing need to prioritize gender-responsive climate measures and promote cooperative efforts to empower women, especially in agriculture, to meet the difficulties and take advantage of the opportunities presented by climate change.

WIUT Hosts International Conference on Climate Change, Water Scarcity, and Migration in Central Asia 

On October 15-16, 2024, Westminster International University in Tashkent proudly hosted the international conference "Beyond Borders: Central Asia in the Face of Climate Change, Water Scarcity, and Migration Challenges," in collaboration with the Leibniz Institute (IAMO).

This significant event convened scientists, policymakers, and experts from across the globe to examine the urgent challenges facing Central Asia, such as acute water scarcity, rising temperatures, and migration issues. Through informed discussions on adaptation, resilience, and sustainable strategies, the conference fostered regional collaboration and formulated recommendations aimed at ensuring a sustainable future.

WIUT is committed to fostering global partnerships to address the region's most critical environmental and socio-economic challenges. 

WIUT hosted an autumn school – training course on “Econometric analysis of farmers’ adoption decisions of sustainable agricultural practices” jointly organized with Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) on 7-11 October 2024.

The course was organized in the framework of the German-Uzbek collaborative research project “Better understanding of the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in Uzbekistan (UzFarmBarometer)”.

Training instructors were Dr. Nodir Djanibekov, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), Germany; and Dr. Abdusame Tadjiev, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), Germany, and Samarkand Agroinnovations and Research University, Uzbekistan.

CPRO hosted Director General Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi and Chief Operations and Development Dr. Charbel Tarraf of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA, United Arab Emirates).

The meeting explored opportunities related to developing a research partnership in the areas of (1) development and implementation of joint projects and programs focused on sustainable agricultural research and development, and capacity building; (2) organization of workshops, conferences, webinars, and other events related to agricultural research and development; (3) collaboration on the development of joint policy briefs; (4) and other areas of mutual interest.

During the visit, the delegation of ICBA visited the training course on “Econometric analysis of farmers’ adoption decisions of sustainable agricultural practices”.