An inception workshop was held on the FAO four-year project “Smart Farming for the Future Generation”, which is being implemented in Uzbekistan and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with a total budget of USD 3.4 million, provided by the Republic of Korea.

FAO experts, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan as well as representatives of the Agency for the Development of Horticulture and Greenhouse under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan attended the event.

It was noted that advanced technologies are increasingly being applied in agriculture, especially in greenhouses by enhancing productivity, climate control, and efficiency in soil, water and pest and disease management. Advanced technologies can provide an opportunity to grow year-round a wide range of crops with high nutritional values. This explains how the introduction of smart technologies into horticulture can augment national capabilities on greenhouse production, post-harvest and food safety management of vegetables after the project implementation.

“The expected impacts of the project include improved livelihoods through higher incomes, increased employment, and increased nutrition with consumers benefiting from access to affordable and safe food all year round. Implementation of this project will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the eradication of poverty and hunger, and assurance of good health and wellbeing for everyone,” Sherzod Umarov, FAO Assistant Representative in Uzbekistan emphasized.

The implementation of the project is carried out in close collaboration with partners, including regional organizations and research/academia. Three regions will be targeted in Uzbekistan as demonstration sites to build capacity, nurture agri-business opportunities, and receive technical support. 

At the workshop, representatives from the Agency for the Development of Horticulture and Greenhouse presented an overview of the current situation and trends in the greenhouse sector in Uzbekistan. After the presentation, the participants of the workshop discussed the introduction and advantages of protected cultivation systems.

The workshop served as a platform that brought together the ministry and project staff with stakeholders and provided an opportunity to discuss project objectives and finalize the project work plan.