Ildus Kamilov, Deputy Director and Head of the “Institutions and Development” Research Unit, presented results of research, prepared at the support of the Asian Development Bank and the International Poverty Reduction Center in China.

Uzbekistan is a country with prevailing agriculture and large share of rural population whose income largely depends on agricultural production. Right after the collapse of the USSR Uzbekistan was left with the hypertrophied economy concentrated on cotton production whereas its agriculture was unable to cover the domestic needs in food products.

Reforms in agriculture, in particular development of dehkan entities, helped to restructure agriculture production and solved actual issues of food security. But climate change at global and regional level, limited water and land resources push to develop complex approaches to adapt to climate change, including running agriculture sector.

In line with the recommendations, Uzbekistan should adopted measures, directed at strengthening of cooperation in Central Asia to ensure the volume of water resources to support agriculture production and water supply of population. It is also important to strengthen current and create new institutes for supporting small agriculture produces to access markets and protect from ecologic and natural cataclysms and economic shocks. It is also necessary to introduce more effective systems of social protection in the region with high level of environment degradation, namely create opportunities for employment and generating income, ensure foot security and health of population.

In long-term perspective, improving life level and prosperity of population will depend from expanding non-agriculture sectors, developing cities and moving population from rural areas to them. In this connection, structural reforms and strategy for industrialization and urbanization were directed to speeding up economic growth and expanding productive employment, first of all in industry and service sectors.

In part of development of agriculture sector, it is necessary to develop financial mechanisms of attracting investments into water supply infrastructure, carrying land improvement measures, stimulating more effective use of water resources.

Currently, Uzbekistan has programmes, which covers various measures on mitigating and adapting to latest climate change consequences. At the same time, according to recommendations of the Center, it is necessary to develop complex strategy, including solutions on such key issues as introduction of alternative water saving technologies and agriculture cultures, adaptation of communal systems, introduction of energy saving technologies in habitation, etc.