Sustainable potato production system developed in Uzbekistan

Potatoes are cultivated in over 150 countries and consumed all over the world, including here in Europe and Central Asia where it is both an important crop and a staple in regional diets. It is food, fodder, and a source of income for farmers.

Potatoes are low in fat and high in fiber, are rich in antioxidants and nutrients, provide healthy carbohydrates and produce fewer greenhouse gases than other food crops. One of the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Uzbekistan was potato production could not meet consumer demands, due to restrictions in the movement of goods and people. In response,  the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan implemented the project “Recovery and development of the potato sector in response to COVID-19,” from 2021 to 2023. The main goal of the project was to increase the productive potential of the potato industry in Uzbekistan by growing a higher, more sustainable, and better-quality crop.

The final workshop of the project took place in July in Tashkent. During the session, the presenters summed up the gains made towards achieving a sustainable potato production system based on international best practices in the country. The event was attended by national and international experts who presented the work done and highlighted the results achieved.

“The project involved a number of national stakeholders in its activities. It also cooperated with several national and international experts. The national systems of Uzbekistan for registration of potato cultivars and for the production and certification of seed potatoes were reviewed, and observations and recommendations were provided by experts. Moreover, the capacities of the Ministry of Agriculture, universities, and private companies and other potato specialists were increased through trainings conducted by international and national experts. Additionally, a study tour to Turkey was organized for Uzbek potato experts,” said Piotr Wlodarczyk, FAO Agricultural Officer.

For this, work was carried out to improve the system for registering potato varieties and certification of seeds, improving research on the modernization of potato production, protection against diseases and pests, improving storage conditions for products, as well as training farmers, agronomists and other professionals working in this industry. A series of trainings were held on topical issues of the development of the potato industry. The trainings were conducted by FAO international experts for specialists from the Center for the Development of Seed Production under the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, the Council of Dekhkan Farms and Owners of Household Lands of Uzbekistan, the Agency for Quarantine and Plant Protection, the Research Institute of Vegetables, Melons and Potatoes and other specialized organizations.

The project also facilitated the SWOT analysis on the ware and seed potato production and the seed potato certification system in Uzbekistan. The analysis created an accurate picture of the situation of the development of the industry, took into account external threats and opportunities, drafted an action plan and subsequently made key decisions on the development of the potato sector, taking into account strengths and weaknesses.