Agricultural cooperation - The Times Of Central Asia

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Central Asian Nations Boost Joint Fight Against Locusts

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan have committed to strengthening their cooperative efforts in combating locust infestations. The agreement emerged during the 55th meeting of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) working group, where officials from the three nations convened to enhance collaboration, adhere to international plant health standards, and expedite information exchange. According to Kazinform, Saken Kanybekov, acting head of Kazakhstan’s State Inspection Committee, engaged in discussions with his counterparts from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, sharing insights and experiences on managing seasonal locust outbreaks. A key innovation introduced at the meeting was Locust.uz, an online platform developed by Uzbekistan. This system maps locust egg-laying sites and pesticide spraying operations, utilizing GPS tracking to monitor equipment movement. This functionality enables experts to rapidly assess situations and respond swiftly, aiming to prevent the widespread dissemination of locusts. The three countries pledged increased focus on border areas, which are common pathways for pest migration. They plan to regularly exchange updates on locust conditions, research findings, and ongoing control measures. A further objective is to integrate their digital systems to facilitate more effective data sharing, including plant health certificates. The Times of Central Asia previously reported on Kazakhstan's broader efforts to bolster cooperation with neighboring countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and China, to curb locust outbreaks. Joint inspections along the Kazakh-Uzbek border have, to date, found no signs of infestation. Kazakhstan is also closely monitoring its northern border with Russia and has scheduled additional inspections in other regions for June. As of June 2, Kazakhstan had surveyed over 6.1 million hectares of farmland, representing 35.6% of its target, and treated nearly 1 million hectares with pesticides. The country has deployed a significant arsenal of 443 spraying units, including 55 ultralight aircraft and 49 agricultural drones, to manage the pest. Locust-damaged land in Kazakhstan has seen a notable increase, rising from 514,000 hectares in 2020 to 1.6 million hectares in 2023, with projections indicating a further rise in 2024. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that over 25 million hectares of farmland and 20 million people across Central Asia and the South Caucasus are at risk from locust threats.

locusts Agricultural cooperation Locust Infestations locust migration

Kazakhstan Joins Regional Efforts to Control Locust Infestations

Recognizing that locust migration transcends national borders, Kazakhstan is strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and China, to monitor and mitigate the threat of locust outbreaks. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture has launched joint monitoring operations with Kyrgyzstan to survey border regions for signs of grasshopper swarms, which pose a serious risk to agricultural production. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ermek Kenzhekhanuly confirmed that early assessments have not identified any immediate threat of locust migration into Kazakhstan from the south. “We have begun joint monitoring with the Kyrgyz side along sections of our southern border. While major infestations are concentrated in southern Kyrgyzstan, no threat of locust movement toward Kazakhstan has been detected so far,” said Kenzhekhanuly. Earlier, similar inspections were carried out along the Kazakh-Uzbek border, with no outbreaks reported to date. Kazakhstan is also actively monitoring its northern border with Russia. Surveys have already been completed in the Abay and North Kazakhstan regions, with no evidence of locust spread. Additional monitoring is scheduled for June in the Aktobe, Atyrau, West Kazakhstan, Kostanay, East Kazakhstan, and Pavlodar regions. To date, there have been no confirmed cases of locust activity near Kazakhstan’s border with China. As of June 2, Kazakhstan has surveyed 6.1 million hectares of farmland, 35.6% of its target area for 2025 and has treated 971,500 hectares with pesticides, representing 46.3% of the planned 2.1 million hectares designated for potential infestation. To combat locust outbreaks, Kazakhstan has deployed 443 units of spraying equipment, including 55 ultralight aircraft and 49 agricultural drones. In Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry has similarly declared no current threat of locust incursion. Joint monitoring efforts with Uzbekistan have not identified risks in border regions. However, Kyrgyz authorities reported localized infestations covering 60,000 hectares across multiple regions in late May. Aerial and ground-based pesticide treatments have been deployed in response. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), locust outbreaks threaten over 25 million hectares of farmland across Central Asia and the South Caucasus, impacting the livelihoods of approximately 20 million people.

Donation Agricultural cooperation Free Seed

Uzbekistan Sends Over 26 Tons of Free Seed to Afghan Farmers

Uzbekistan has delivered more than 26 tons of certified agricultural seeds to Afghan farmers and agricultural organizations, according to the Uzbek Ministry of Agriculture. The donation is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen regional cooperation and reflects President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s foreign policy priority of fostering close relations with neighboring countries. The seed shipment, provided by Uzbekistan’s Center for Seed Development, includes 5 tons of cotton seeds (sufficient for 200 hectares), 20 tons of rice seeds (for 100 hectares), 500 kilograms of mung beans (25 hectares), 187 kilograms of vegetable seeds, and 600 kilograms of melon seeds. All varieties are certified, high-quality, and adapted to the agro-climatic conditions of Afghanistan. Earlier this year, a delegation led by Afghanistan’s Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock visited Uzbekistan. The group toured agricultural enterprises and research institutions in Tashkent and Samarkand, gaining insights into digital farming tools, modern irrigation systems, and advanced food processing technologies. The Uzbek Ministry of Agriculture noted that the seed aid will contribute to improving food security in Afghanistan, stimulate rural employment, and help introduce new farming technologies. Agricultural cooperation has become a cornerstone of bilateral economic relations. In 2023, trade between the two countries totaled $866 million. That figure rose to $1.1 billion in 2024, with over $1 billion attributed to Uzbek exports. Approximately 550 Afghan-invested businesses are currently operating in Uzbekistan.