Tashkent hosted a workshop on the FAO project on innovative approaches for improving agricultural products as part of the implementation of the FAO Global Action on Green Development of Special Agricultural Products: One Country One Priority Product (OCOP).

The project will be implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

“On average, up to 180 thousand tons of sweet cherries are produced annually in Uzbekistan. Agroecological conditions allow small farmers throughout the country to grow cherries with minimal use of chemicals. In addition, sweet cherries enable diversified and sustainable farming systems, including agroforestry and pastoralism. Thus, sweet cherries have great potential for green and inclusive growth”, FAO Deputy Representative in Uzbekistan Sherzod Umarov said.

Participants of the event talked about the importance of implementing the OCOP to support small farmers. It was emphasized that OCOP’s unique business model aims to help small households sustainably increase food production, thereby increasing incomes and ultimately improving living conditions. The main activities and expected results within the framework of the project implementation in Uzbekistan were also discussed.

Gulrukh Abdullaeva, UzA