Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Uzbekistan's economy, but the sector is under pressure to produce more with limited land and water. The government is rolling out new cultivation techniques, irrigation systems, and digital tools to boost yields, support local food production, and help farmers compete internationally.
Agriculture Minister Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov reports that Uzbekistan grows about 26 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables each year, with products reaching 92 markets worldwide. The country aims to raise food exports to $10bn (€8.6bn) by 2030, and has declared 2026–2030 a priority period for food security, focusing on domestic output and reducing reliance on certain imports.
Higher yields and modern orchards
Rather than expanding cultivated land, the government is pushing for greater productivity. "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," says Shamshod Ergashev, Head of the Secretariat of the Minister of Agriculture.
Cotton acreage has fallen to about 875,600 hectares in 2025, down from over a million hectares in previous years, yet production reached nearly four million tonnes. Ergashev also notes a grain harvest of 10 million tonnes in 2026, partly thanks 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," says Abror Jo'rayev, Head of the Republican Horticulture Development Department.
At a 138-hectare orchard growing apples, pears, plums, peaches, and apricots, modern methods are already in use. Farm representative Qahramon Ilhombekov explains: "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."
To encourage investment, the government offers preferential loans of up to 120 million soums (€8,873) per hectare for orchard development, with a seven-year term including a three-year grace period. Farmers also receive maintenance subsidies of five million soums (€370) per hectare annually for three years, plus support for irrigation equipment and planting materials.
Irrigation and agricultural technology
Water scarcity is a major challenge, with agriculture consuming about 90% of Uzbekistan's water, according to the World Bank. In May 2025, the bank approved a $200m (€172m) project to modernise irrigation infrastructure across five regions, aiming to cut annual water losses by roughly 540 million cubic metres and improve services on 232,000 hectares.
At farm level, drip irrigation is helping manage water and fertiliser use precisely. "Water scarcity is becoming an increasing problem. With drip irrigation, water reaches the tree itself rather than the surrounding soil," Jo'rayev explains.
In 2026, Uzbekistan received 100 Chinese-made agricultural drones through an initiative with the Ministry of Agriculture and World Bank support. Half will monitor farmland remotely; the rest will be used for fertiliser application, pest control, and other operations. The government is also developing satellite-based crop monitoring, geographic information systems, and AI for yield forecasting and pest detection. Digital platforms like Agroportal and Agrosubsidy aim to simplify subsidy applications and reduce bureaucracy.
Climate resilience and financing
Uzbekistan is seeking investment in climate-smart agriculture. The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) has supported projects in Karakalpakstan, focusing on scaling up solutions from pilots to larger investments. "Our intervention was mainly about how to scale up climate-smart solutions in agriculture, from pilots to larger investment projects," says Bakhtiyar Radjabov, Senior Officer for Green Growth Policy and Government Liaison at GGGI.
GGGI has helped Uzbek commercial banks issue green bonds on the London Stock Exchange to fund environmentally focused projects. Radjabov also highlights 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 stresses the need for stronger local expertise and the capacity of agricultural businesses to adopt new technologies, especially as water scarcity, soil salinity, and land degradation persist.
Balancing exports and domestic food security
Uzbekistan's strategy combines export growth with domestic food security. The government is encouraging investment in food processing, packaging, and higher-value production to meet international standards. However, the country still depends on imports for some essentials, including vegetable oil and sugar.
As Uzbekistan modernises its farms, it also pursues broader infrastructure ambitions, such as the new Tashkent city project for two million residents, which will increase demand for food. The country's poverty rate has dropped sharply as wages and jobs expand, according to recent data, suggesting that agricultural gains are reaching wider society. For European investors and partners, Uzbekistan's agricultural transformation offers opportunities in technology, irrigation, and agrifood processing, aligning with broader EU interests in sustainable development and investment in emerging markets.
