EU assistance for Uzbekistan Agri-Food Development Strategy 2020-2030
Support for the Modernization of the Agriculture Sector
Challenge
The agricultural sector was a major contributor to economic growth, job creation, and export revenues in Uzbekistan. However, the Uzbek agricultural sector had been dominated by the production of cotton and wheat, two highly regulated sub-sectors. After numerous farm and sector restructuring processes, the productivity and production levels remained low and diversification limited. Institutions were fragmented and had limited technical and management capacity and were therefore unable to deliver the sector services that a competitive, market-led agriculture sector demanded.
Approach
This project aimed to contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Vision of the Agri-Food Sector (presented in the Uzbekistan Agri-Food Development Strategy 2020-2030), which aimed to develop a competitive, market, and export-oriented Uzbekistan Agri-food Sector. This in turn would increase farm income, create new jobs, enhance food security, and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources. To do so, the project would accompany the Government of Uzbekistan in the implementation of the sector reform, to which the EU was providing an additional €33 million through its Budget Support modality.
In particular, the project would assist the Ministry of Agriculture to manage the transition process from a planned economy to a market-based system by creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment, and by also strengthening institutional capacities within the sector.
Goals and Results
2030.
- Improved institutional capacities of the Ministry of Agriculture, as these related to the nine priority pillars of the Strategy.
- Conducted institutional functional reviews, institutional restructuring plans, and standard operational procedures. Also developed and finalised staff development plans and assisted in their implementation in the key target areas.
- Provided targeted technical assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture in line with the priorities of the Roadmap.