Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A ceremony of signing project agreements between the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was held. The event was held online with the participation of the Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev and the FAO Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia, FAO Representative in Uzbekistan Viorel Gutsu.

The implementation of new regional projects of FAO together with Uzbek partners is aimed at increasing the sustainability and efficiency of agriculture, improving the living standards of the rural population. In particular, the signed agreements provide for the introduction of the latest technologies in the greenhouse industry, strengthening pest control, adaptation to new realities in a pandemic.

1. "Smart farming for the next generation". The project will be implemented in two countries (Vietnam and Uzbekistan) and is designed for 4 years, with a total budget of US$3.4 million. The financial partner is the government of the Republic of Korea. The overall goal is to initiate and promote smart and sustainable production, post-harvest handling and marketing of greenhouse crops. The project will provide an opportunity for specialists in the field and small landowners to master advanced production technologies, to learn high-quality and safe marketing of agricultural products. The introduction of new technologies in greenhouse gardening will increase yields and profits.

2. Project to improve locust control (Phase II). The project document has been prepared by FAO in close collaboration with six countries (Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and the financial partner - Japan Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project is designed for five years, with a total budget of US$7.3 million. The result will be improved locust control at the national and regional levels in the Central Asian countries through the implementation of sustainable regional cooperation and effective preventive pest management strategies, as well as increased knowledge and best practices in the field. As a reminder, the first phase of the project to improve locust control was successfully implemented by FAO and JICA in 2015-2019. in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Given the success and lessons learned, as well as the specific needs of countries in the region, it was decided to expand the support provided.