A new project, supported by Slovakia, that started its implementation in April 2026 marks a step toward climate-resilient horticulture and smarter water management in Uzbekistan.
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Horticulture is a major driver of agricultural diversification and rural employment, particularly in Samarkand, Kashkadarya, and Tashkent, where nearly half of the country’s population lives in rural areas. As labour migration rises, many men leave rural communities to work abroad, leaving women and young people to manage horticultural activities.
Water management is a key challenge: agriculture consumes around 90% of national water resources, yet outdated infrastructure leads to significant water losses and high energy consumption. With climate change intensifying risks, modernizing irrigation systems is essential for resilience.
Addressing Today’s Challenges for the Future
The project, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic, focuses on generating evidence, providing practical guidance, and piloting innovative approaches to support a climate-resilient transformation of horticulture and water management.
Smallholder farmers, agribusinesses, cooperatives, agro-dealers, and women and youth are expected to benefit directly, gaining access to modern tools, improved market connections, and greater economic opportunities.
“We are pleased to see the project begin,” said Ms. Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan. “Implemented jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the project will support farmers in adapting to climate challenges, improving productivity, and using water more efficiently, while helping strengthen Uzbekistan’s horticulture sector in the long term.”
Using Know-How from Slovakia
UNDP and Slovakia are supporting the introduction of modern horticultural practices and efficient irrigation in Uzbekistan. Slovak expertise helps reduce risks in project investments, improve the quality of solutions, and attract additional international support. The collaboration also enables knowledge sharing, strengthens local institutions, and reinforces ties between Uzbekistan and Slovakia.
The project is aligned with Uzbekistan’s National Strategy for Transition to Green Economy for 2019-2030 and is part of the Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan and UNDP.
Project updates and results will be shared here: https://publicfinance.undp.sk/en/uzbekistan/.
