Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are building a new model of cooperation in agriculture, where modern technologies, scientific expertise and efficient use of natural resources play a defining role. A meeting in Tashkent between Uzbekistan's Minister of Agriculture Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov and Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry Asel Kenenbaeva marked the transition toward practical steps and new joint initiatives.
The agricultural sectors of both countries share similar conditions: over 60% of Uzbekistan’s population and 64% of Kyrgyzstan’s population live in rural areas, while agriculture’s contribution to GDP remains below 15%. Yet the growth potential is significant: Uzbekistan has 4.3 million hectares of irrigated land, while Kyrgyzstan has around 1 million hectares. Against the backdrop of climate change, water scarcity and soil degradation, technological modernization became the central topic of the talks.
Water management as a strategic priority
Kyrgyzstan controls the headwaters of major regional rivers — the Naryn and Kara Darya, which irrigate vast farmlands in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, offers advanced solutions such as the Agroplatforma digital system, Agrosugurta digital insurance, and modern irrigation management tools. Kyrgyzstan expressed interest in adapting these technologies in the Osh and Jalal-Abad regions.
Seed production: deepening cooperation
Kyrgyzstan faces shortages of certified seeds. Uzbekistan, having developed a national seed cluster and producing 95,000 tons of elite seeds in 2024 (40% exported), proposed establishing joint pilot seed-production sites with Kyrgyz farmers.
Livestock sector: veterinary capacity and processing
Kyrgyzstan, where livestock accounts for up to 60% of agricultural output, faces a deficit in laboratory capacities and vaccines. Uzbekistan offered access to its biotechnology laboratories, including the Biotechnology Center in Samarkand, and cooperation in producing feed additives.
Education and science as pillars of modernization
Uzbekistan will provide 50 scholarships for Kyrgyz students to study in leading agricultural universities. Both sides are exploring training and internships in precision farming, smart irrigation systems, mountain agriculture and pasture management.
For the first time, the countries agreed to establish a joint agricultural scientific data bank covering research on crop breeding, climate adaptation, and water-saving technologies.
Economic institutionalization
A Joint Working Group on Agro-Industrial Cooperation has been active since 2022. Agricultural trade increased by 22% in 2024, reaching $136 million, with plans to boost it to $250 million by 2027 through joint processing, logistics and high-value projects.
Land-use management and digital monitoring
Uzbekistan loses up to 60,000 hectares of farmland yearly due to salinization and erosion, while Kyrgyzstan loses up to 20,000 hectares due to landslides and pasture degradation. The sides are considering satellite monitoring, precision farming systems and irrigation upgrades with support from the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development.
Outcome: concrete projects ahead
The parties agreed to launch pilot digital water-monitoring projects and set up a joint seed laboratory. Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan complement each other: Kyrgyzstan has water resources, Uzbekistan provides technologies, scientific capacity and digital expertise.
In the long term, this cooperation will shape a new system of food security for Central Asia, creating resilient mechanisms to withstand climate and market risks. The Tashkent meeting demonstrated that sustainable development begins with practical steps — digital tools, laboratories, educational programs and cross-border scientific cooperation.
