The Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, Alisher Shukurov, held a meeting with Tarek Abdelmoneim, the new representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Uzbekistan, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The parties discussed the current state of cooperation between Uzbekistan and IFAD, as well as ongoing joint initiatives and promising directions for further development of bilateral partnership in the agricultural sector.
Particular attention was paid to the prompt transition of the $44 million ASPIR project into the practical implementation phase. This project is called 'Effective Solutions for Agribusiness: Higher Income, Investment, and Sustainability.'
The goal of this project is to develop agribusiness in Uzbekistan, increase farmers' incomes, and ensure sustainable economic growth in rural areas. The project is planned to be implemented from 2027 to 2032.
Initially, the project implementation is planned for the regions of Tashkent, Samarkand, and Kashkadarya. One of the key objectives of the project is to support small and dehqan farms engaged in fruit and vegetable production by increasing their income and expanding their access to markets and financial services.
During the meeting, the execution of agreements regarding the dispatch of young agricultural specialists from Uzbekistan for internships at IFAD regional offices was also discussed. This initiative is designed to help young specialists gain international experience and improve their professional knowledge and skills.
At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to maintain regular dialogue, accelerate work on launching the ASPIR project, and continue cooperation in organizing the participation of young specialists in IFAD internship programs.