How one woman turns uncertain harvests into a thriving family enterprise

21/09/2026

For years, Mukambarxon Umarova’s family depended on their greenhouse, but every growing season brought uncertainty. Today, she manages the entire production cycle herself – from preparing the soil and selecting seeds to protecting the plants and harvesting the crop.

Mukambarxon walks through her family greenhouse in Namangan district, Uzbekistan, carefully examining the plants. She checks the soil, monitors moisture levels and looks for early signs of pests or disease.

Each decision is now part of a system she understands. This was not always the case.

A mother of three, Mukambarxon has relied on greenhouse farming as one of her family’s main sources of income since 2017. The work was physically demanding, production costs were high and harvests were often unpredictable.

Without protective netting, insects could enter the greenhouse and spread crop diseases. Water and nutrients were applied manually, making it difficult to provide each plant with the right amount. Some plants developed well, while others remained small. Excess moisture also contributed to fungal diseases.

When problems appeared, the family often turned to crop-protection products, increasing production costs without ensuring a stable harvest.

“We worked hard, but we could not always understand why some plants grew well while others did not,” Mukambarxon says. “Every disease meant more expense and another risk for our harvest.”

Learning to see the greenhouse as one system

The turning point came in 2022, when Mukambarxon joined an initiative supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The project called “Smart farming for the future generation”, is implemented by FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, with financial support from Korea.

The turning point came in 2022, when Mukambarxon joined an initiative supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The project called “Smart farming for the future generation”, is implemented by FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, with financial support from Korea.

Through practical field sessions, seminars and technical training, she  learned about each stage of greenhouse production – from soil preparation and seed selection to seedling cultivation, irrigation, plant protection and harvesting.
Rather than treating each production problem separately, Mukambarxon learned how decisions made at one stage could affect the entire growing cycle.

“The training helped me see the greenhouse as one complete system,” she says. “I learned that good results begin with the soil and seed and continue with every decision until harvest.”

She learned how protective netting and insect traps could reduce pest pressure. Mulch made from locally available materials, including straw, sawdust and fallen leaves, could also help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds and limit the spread of soil-borne pathogens.

Improved seedling preparation helped her establish healthier crops from the start of each growing season.

Combining technology with practical knowledge

Alongside the training, the project provided Mukambarxon’s household with protective and shading nets, greenhouse film, drip irrigation equipment, insect traps, fertilisers and pollinators.

The equipment and inputs were accompanied by practical guidance. Mukambarxon learned   how and when to use each item, and why it was needed.

The drip irrigation system brought one of the most significant changes to her daily work.

Previously, she applied water and nutrients by hand, a labour-intensive process that did not always distribute moisture evenly. With drip irrigation, water and nutrients now reach the plants more consistently, supporting more uniform growth while reducing unnecessary water use and manual labour.

“Drip irrigation changed my daily work,” Mukambarxon says. “Water and nutrients now reach the plants more evenly, and I spend less time doing heavy work by hand.”

Protective screens and insect traps strengthened pest management in the greenhouse. Mukambarxon also began using locally prepared treatments, including mixtures based on whey, garlic and iodine. She says these measures have helped reduce her reliance on purchased crop-protection products.

Following the introduction of the new practices and equipment, production in Mukambarxon’s greenhouse increased threefold compared to earlier production levels. On the top of that, her plants are healthier resulting in less damage in the harvest.

The benefits went beyond a larger harvest. Lower production costs and increased returns helped the family rebuild their home and invest in their children’s education.

“The income has helped us rebuild our home and invest in our children’s education,” Mukambarxon says. “For me, that is the real meaning of a successful harvest.”

Today, she manages the greenhouse with greater confidence and independence. She assesses crop conditions, makes informed production decisions and responds to problems before they threaten the harvest.

“The most important support was not only the equipment, but the knowledge that showed me how to use it correctly,” she says. “Today, I can manage the greenhouse independently.”

Her experience shows that agricultural innovation does not always begin with complex technologies. It can start with practical knowledge and more precise use of water and agricultural inputs.

For Mukambarxon and her family, these changes are cultivating more than crops. They are creating a more secure livelihood and new opportunities for the future.

This story is part of a series celebrating women farmers worldwide, from producers, fishers and pastoralists to traders, agricultural scientists and rural entrepreneurs. The International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 recognizes their essential contributions to food security, economic prosperity and improved nutrition and livelihoods, despite heavier workloads, less favourable working conditions and unequal access to resources. It calls for collective action and investment to empower women, in all their diversity, and to build a fairer, more inclusive and more sustainable agrifood system for all.