Uzbekistan currently ranks among the bottom 20 countries in the world in terms of water productivity, according to the World Bank, and produces only $0.6 per cubic meter of water compared with a global average of $15 per cubic meter.
How important is agriculture in Uzbekistan?
Agriculture is an important sector of Uzbekistan¡¯s economy, accounting for approximately 25% of GDP and employing about 26% of the labor force. Cotton and grain are the country¡¯s principal crops, but elimination of quotas and price controls in 2020-2021 is facilitating a shift to higher-value fruit and vegetable cultivation.
What is Uzbekistan known for?
Uzbekistan also produces significant amounts of wheat, silk, fruit, and vegetables. Plant breeding is carried out since more than 100 years ago and biotechnology is used in breeding since more than 20 years by both the public and the private sector. The number of plant breeders is relatively high; nevertheless only a few have a Ph.D.
Will Uzbekistan double its textile production by 2026?
The government plans to double textile production by 2026, improving Uzbekistan¡¯s positioning in the value chain, and henceforth process more of its own raw cotton into intermediary or consumer goods for export. Agriculture consumes 90% of Uzbekistan¡¯s water resources.