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Agriculture

Uzbekistan Leases 4,000 Hectares in Belarus, Signs 60,000-Ton Export Deal

Uzbekistan’s Kashkadarya region has agreed to lease 4,000 hectares of farmland in Belarus and signed a major export contract as part of efforts to expand agricultural cooperation between the two countries, according to Dunyo Information Agency. The agreements were reached during a working visit to Belarus by a delegation from Kashkadarya region. As part of the trip, Uzbek representatives visited livestock and retail facilities in the Vitebsk region, including the districts of Braslav, Shumilino, and Postavy, where they studied local production practices. Talks with the leadership of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee focused on strengthening economic ties and building joint production chains. One of the key outcomes was a deal between Uzbek companies “Asl Yuksalish Savdo” and “Muborak qorako‘lchilik” and the Belarusian “Sirotinsky” livestock farm. Under the agreement, the Uzbek side will lease farmland on a long-term basis to launch an agricultural project. The first stage involves breeding 1,000 head of cattle, marking the beginning of a broader investment in livestock production. At the same time, Uzbekistan is expanding its export presence in the Belarusian market. “Asl Yuksalish Savdo” signed a contract with the retail chain CJSC “Dobronom” to supply 60,000 tons of agricultural products annually. The shipments will include dried fruits, legumes, melons, and grapes. The visit also included discussions on tourism and cultural cooperation. The two sides agreed to organize study tours for tourism sector representatives to boost travel exchanges. Cultural ties are also expected to deepen, with plans for performances by the Kashkadarya Regional Theater in Minsk ahead of an upcoming high-level visit. The agreements build on broader economic cooperation between the two countries. Earlier this year, Belarus announced plans to increase bilateral trade with Uzbekistan to $2 billion by 2030. Speaking after talks with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin described the target as “ambitious but achievable,” noting that trade turnover is already approaching $1 billion.

Agriculture

Kazakhstan Aims to Increase Agricultural Exports to Turkey

Kazakhstan is seeking to expand exports of agricultural products to the Turkish market, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said during a meeting of the Kazakhstan-Turkey Intergovernmental Commission held in Astana. According to Bektenov, trade turnover in the agro-industrial sector between the two countries increased by more than 25% in 2025, reaching $360 million. “In the coming period, it is important to diversify trade in this sector, expand the export product range, and launch joint high value-added production. We are interested in exporting wheat, lentils, animal feed, and oilseeds to Turkey,” he said. The prime minister also said that relevant government agencies and businesses in Kazakhstan and Turkey have established exchanges of experience in agricultural technologies and insurance. To support further export growth, he added, cooperation in veterinary and phytosanitary control needs to be strengthened. In 2025, approximately $390 million in Turkish investment was attracted to Kazakhstan’s economy, bringing the cumulative total over the past 20 years to more than $6 billion. By the end of 2025, bilateral trade had increased by 9%, while Kazakhstan’s overall exports rose by more than 17% to $3.9 billion. Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, who led the Turkish delegation, emphasised the importance of cooperation not only at the bilateral level but also within multilateral frameworks. “We attach particular importance not only to bilateral interaction between Turkey and Kazakhstan, but also to our joint work within the Organization of Turkic States and other international structures. These platforms enable us to enhance coordination, expand economic opportunities, and translate political dialogue into practical outcomes,” Yılmaz said. The parties also noted a 35% increase in railway freight transportation between Kazakhstan and Turkey in 2025 and reaffirmed the priority of developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor. Key objectives include infrastructure modernisation, eliminating bottlenecks, expanding port and terminal capacity, implementing digital solutions, and coordinating tariff policies. In addition to agriculture, the sides discussed prospects for energy cooperation, including joint projects in the oil and gas sector and geological exploration. Potential cooperation in IT education, fintech, cybersecurity, and e-government services was also highlighted. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Turkey is considered a promising market for Kazakh meat producers, as it is willing to pay higher prices than other markets.

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Establishes State-Owned Company to Implement Satellite Technologies in Agriculture

The Kyrgyz authorities are taking a step towards the digitalization of agriculture and natural resource management. The country’s Cabinet of Ministers has decided to establish a state-owned company, Kyrgyz Sputnik, which will focus on the use of satellite data in key economic sectors. The new entity will be created as an open joint-stock company with 100% state ownership. Its founder will be the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry. Kyrgyz Sputnik is expected to serve as a tool for expanding the use of aerospace data in natural resource management. The company’s infrastructure will be located in the city of Karakol in the Issyk-Kul region. The creation of Kyrgyz Sputnik is intended to lay the groundwork for developing national expertise in space technologies and strengthening the country’s technological independence. The authorities view the project as a long-term investment in sustainable development, security, and the growth of an innovation-driven economy. At the same time, Kyrgyzstan has already begun implementing satellite solutions in agriculture. According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture Asel Kenenbaeva, the ministry is cooperating with international operators that provide high-resolution satellite imagery. Kenenbaeva said such data can be used to monitor crop conditions and cultivated areas, as well as oversee pasture use. It can also help analyse water resources and detect plant diseases. The information obtained will be made available to farmers, enabling them to assess the condition of their fields in near real time and receive recommendations on cultivation and fertilisation.

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Sees No Grounds for Restricting Potato Imports from China

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry has stated that there are no grounds for restricting potato imports from China. The announcement follows reports that the domestic market has been flooded with Chinese potatoes allegedly being sold as locally produced goods. In response, the ministry’s Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control Service conducted monitoring of potato sales in Bishkek and Osh. According to officials, imported Chinese potatoes are present on the market, but no confirmed cases were identified in which such products were falsely labeled as local produce. Currently, the average retail price of imported Chinese potatoes ranges from 38 to 40 soms per kilogram, while locally grown potatoes are sold at prices of around 42 to 44 soms per kilogram. The ministry also noted that Kyrgyzstan’s obligations under the World Trade Organization framework limit the scope for imposing unilateral import restrictions. Officials emphasized that agricultural trade between Kyrgyzstan and China is mutual, with Kyrgyz products also being exported to the Chinese market. In addition, the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control Service has advised domestic potato farmers to accelerate sales of stored produce. Some producers are reportedly holding stocks in warehouses in anticipation of higher prices. However, the service believes that price increases are unlikely as the arrival of the new harvest is expected to boost supply. Officials warned that prolonged storage may lead to spoilage and financial losses. In related developments, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced the start of corn exports to China. The first shipment, totaling 25 tons, departed on March 16. The export became possible following the signing of a protocol on phytosanitary requirements for corn exports from Kyrgyzstan to China between the Kyrgyz Ministry of Agriculture and China’s General Administration of Customs. To date, two Kyrgyz enterprises have been authorized to export corn under this framework. Trade between Kyrgyzstan and China continues to expand. According to Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Liu Jiangping, bilateral trade turnover reached $27.2 billion, representing a 20% increase and a record high. He also noted that China’s imports from Kyrgyzstan grew by 86%.

Desertification

Environmental Pressures Affect Up to 80% of Irrigated Land in Turkmenistan

Environmental pressures in Turkmenistan are intensifying, with desertification, water scarcity, and ecological degradation posing increasing risks to agriculture and public health, according to a recent analysis cited by News-Asia. The study was prepared by experts from the Central Asia Climate Foundation (CACF)’s climate change and green energy project office ahead of a regional environmental summit scheduled for April 22–24 in Astana. Researchers warn that desertification has reached critical levels across large parts of the country. The expansion of the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts is described as among the fastest globally, threatening farmland, infrastructure, and living standards. Land degradation is being exacerbated by overgrazing, soil salinization and inefficient water use. As a result, up to 80% of irrigated land is affected by elevated groundwater salinity, reducing soil productivity. Water scarcity remains another major challenge. Turkmenistan relies heavily on transboundary rivers, particularly the Amu Darya, leaving it vulnerable to upstream water management decisions. Climate change is also contributing to reduced flows in rivers such as the Atrek, Murgab, and Tejen. Much of the irrigation infrastructure dates back to the Soviet era and suffers from significant losses, while agriculture accounts for around 90% of total water consumption. The analysis highlights the continuing regional impact of the Aral Sea crisis. The drying of the sea has increased the frequency of salt and dust storms carrying harmful substances across Central Asia. In northern regions, including Dashoguz, medical specialists have reported rising rates of respiratory illness and other health problems linked to deteriorating air quality. Environmental risks are also growing along the Caspian Sea coast. According to the report, pollution from hydrocarbon extraction combined with declining water levels is affecting biodiversity and undermining fisheries. At the same time, the government has taken steps to address environmental challenges through national climate programs and reforestation initiatives. Turkmenistan is also participating in international projects, including a regional effort launched earlier this year to combat marine litter in the Caspian Sea with support from the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme. The upcoming summit in Astana is expected to bring together around 1,500 participants, including government officials and representatives of international organizations, to discuss coordinated responses to environmental threats. Organizers say the meeting could result in a regional action program for 2026-2030 and a joint declaration by Central Asian leaders.

Food Innovation

Scientists in Kazakhstan Develop Antioxidant Supplement for Disease Prevention

Scientists in Kazakhstan are developing a dietary supplement containing antioxidants that is intended to help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The project is being carried out by the Kazakh Research Institute of Processing and Food Industry. The development is taking place in Almaty and is based on the use of domestically sourced plant raw materials, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The ministry says the aim is to create an affordable functional food product with high antioxidant activity. The key component of the supplement is lycopene, a natural carotenoid found in tomatoes, watermelons, and grapefruits. Lycopene is known for its antioxidant properties and its potential role in reducing oxidative stress, which is associated with the development of various chronic diseases. According to the ministry, insufficient intake of antioxidants may contribute to weakened immune function and an increased risk of chronic conditions. As part of the project, researchers have already developed technologies to produce powders from tomatoes and watermelons while preserving their biological properties. Freeze-drying and infrared drying methods are being used for this purpose. Official information indicates that the supplement’s formulation includes lycopene, tomato and watermelon powders, pumpkin seed powder, and safflower oil. This combination is expected to improve bioavailability and make the product convenient for regular use. The Ministry of Agriculture says the development reflects growing demand for functional foods both in Kazakhstan and internationally. The product could eventually be targeted for export markets. Officials also expect the project to reduce dependence on imported food additives, expand the domestic raw material base for the processing industry, and create new opportunities for the development of the agro-industrial sector. The Times of Central Asia previously reported on another innovation by Kazakh scientists: a mobile unit designed to process and store agricultural products for extended periods.