Food - The Times Of Central Asia

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Poverty

Central Asia Cuts Hunger Fivefold in Two Decades, FAO Reports

The number of people facing hunger in Central Asia has fallen sharply over the past two decades, according to a new report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The share of the population suffering from undernourishment dropped from 13.1% in 2005 to just 2.8% in 2024, equivalent to a decline from 7.8 million people to 2.3 million. Much of this progress was achieved before 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted that trend: between 2020 and 2021, undernourishment rose to 2.5 million. However, with the introduction of stronger food security policies and an economic rebound, the region has since regained positive momentum. The FAO report notes that a healthy diet in Central Asia now costs an average of $3.78 per person per day. While this is below the global average of $4.46, it remains unaffordable for many low-income households, particularly in rural Tajikistan. In 2024, FAO estimates that approximately 14% of the region’s population, roughly 11.5 million people, still could not afford a balanced diet. Child health indicators have also improved. The prevalence of stunting among children under five has halved since 2012, falling from 14.8% to 7.4%. Rates of acute malnutrition have also declined, and childhood obesity rates have decreased slightly. Nonetheless, persistent challenges remain: anemia affects about one-third of women of reproductive age, and adult obesity is on the rise, increasing from 18.8% to 25.1% over the past decade. In 2024, Tajikistan remained the most food-insecure country in the former Soviet Union. According to the Global Hunger Index published by the International Food Policy Research Institute, 8.7% of its population faces food shortages, placing the country 65th out of 127 worldwide. In a sign of regional engagement, Uzbekistan officially joined the Global Alliance to Combat Hunger and Poverty in December 2024, reinforcing its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and to global cooperation on food security.

Science

Kazakh Scientists Unveil Facility Capable of Preserving Agricultural Products for 50 Years

Researchers at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University have developed a mobile unit capable of processing and storing agricultural products for up to 50 years. The unit, named “Dayar 20,” utilizes freeze-drying technology and is designed to be transported directly to fields and orchards, an essential advantage for remote agricultural operations. Takeaway Food with a Half-Century Shelf Life The underlying technology is lyophilization, which involves removing water from frozen products by evaporation under low pressure. The process allows food to retain its taste, color, aroma, shape, and nutritional content. “Products dried using the Dayar 20 unit remain usable for a long time, retaining their taste, color, smell, shape, and vitamins,” said project manager Yerbol Ikhsanov, PhD in chemistry. The unit can process a variety of goods, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, and ready-to-eat meals. Shelf life ranges from three years at room temperature to 10 to 50 years when vacuum-sealed. The innovation is expected to improve the sustainability of Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector and enhance its export potential. Breakthrough in Hydrogen Production This is not the only recent scientific achievement in Kazakhstan. Researchers at the Institute of Combustion Problems have developed a reactor that decomposes hydrocarbon gases into hydrogen and carbon using low-temperature plasma, without the need for catalysts and with minimal energy input. Inside the plasma reactor, gases are heated to temperatures between 1,800 and 2,700°C, triggering pyrolysis. The result is hydrogen with a purity of up to 98.9% and technical carbon. Notably, scientists also identified giant carbon nanotubes, up to 100 nanometers in diameter, within the by-product. These nanotubes are considered a promising material for super-strong fibers and composites, far exceeding typical size expectations under normal conditions. The method offers nearly 100% efficiency in hydrocarbon recycling and significantly accelerates hydrogen production. Kazakh Anti-Cancer Drug Shows Early Promise In another separate development, Kazakh scientists have made progress on an anti-cancer drug that has yielded promising results in early clinical trials. Dos Sarbasov, Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences, reported that tumor growth had ceased in six patients and shrunk by 30% in one case. “After the first dose of the drug, the condition of fifteen cancer patients stabilized, and in six of them, the tumor stopped growing,” Sarbasov said. The drug targets cells that actively absorb glucose and has shown no signs of toxicity. Clinical testing began two years ago and has already passed two phases. The trials, conducted at the Kazakh Institute of Oncology and Radiology, are expected to conclude within the next two to three years. The drug has received international patent protection.

Food

Tajikistan Launches National Food Reform to Boost Nutrition

A large-scale food reform program titled “Changing the Food System to Improve Nutrition” has been launched in Tajikistan, aiming to improve dietary practices and enhance national food security. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Tajik government and several United Nations agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Food Programme (WFP). Sustainability and Coordination at the Core With a budget of $2 million, the program targets over 2.8 million people across both urban and rural areas. The central goals include fostering sustainable agricultural practices, promoting healthy eating habits, and strengthening food governance systems. Parvati Ramaswamy, the UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan, described the project as a unifying platform for agencies, donors, and international partners. “Changing the food system is one of the government's priorities for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” she stated. The program is implemented in coordination with the Tajikistan Food Security Committee and various national ministries. “By transforming food systems through innovation, inclusiveness, and sustainability, we can raise a healthy generation,” added Mahmoud Shirindjonzoda, First Deputy Chairman of the Food Security Committee. Four Pillars of the Program The initiative is structured around four main components: National Nutrition Standards ($650,000): This includes training seminars, updated dietary guidelines for schools and hospitals, and the introduction of comprehensive nutrition standards. Building a Culture of Nutrition ($300,000): Funds will support mass awareness campaigns, educational programs, and regional outreach to encourage healthy dietary habits. Sustainable Agriculture and Green Products ($850,000): Efforts will focus on training farmers, developing school gardens, and promoting eco-friendly local products. Support will also be extended to women and youth in agribusiness, with a new certification system for environmentally sustainable goods. Monitoring and Strategic Planning ($200,000): This component will develop a national nutrition assessment system and data-driven policy frameworks. Support for Vulnerable Populations and Local Production A key objective of the program is to strengthen state mechanisms for supplying nutritious food to vulnerable population groups. It also includes the preparation of policy recommendations and methodologies to enhance national food security. Promoting local, eco-friendly alternatives to imported goods is another major element of the project, aimed at reducing reliance on external supplies while supporting domestic producers. With its comprehensive approach, the program aspires not only to improve nutrition but also to establish a long-term foundation for sustainable development in Tajikistan, where food security and public health remain pressing concerns.

humanitarian aid

Uzbekistan Sends 183 Tons of Aid to Afghanistan for Eid al-Adha

Uzbekistan has delivered 183 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in honor of Eid al-Adha, reaffirming its commitment to supporting its southern neighbor. According to the administration of Termez city in Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region, the aid was transported to Afghanistan’s Balkh province. The shipment included essential food items such as flour, rice, sugar, pasta, vegetable oil, red beans, mung beans, instant meals, and sweets. This assistance was dispatched on the instruction of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and has been described as a gesture of solidarity and compassion from the Uzbek people during the religious holiday. The aid was officially handed over in the border city of Hairatan, at the site of the Astras company. The handover ceremony was attended by Uzbekistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev; Surkhandarya regional governor Ulugʻbek Qosimov; deputy governor of Balkh province, Nurulhodi Abuidris; and other officials from both countries. Afghan representatives expressed their gratitude to President Mirziyoyev and the Uzbek people for their continued humanitarian support and extended warm Eid greetings in return. In a similar gesture earlier this year, Uzbekistan sent approximately 200 tons of aid to Afghanistan for the Navruz and Eid al-Fitr holidays, consisting of similar food supplies.

UMAMI Kazakhstan Culture Food Almaty steppe spirit Food industry ice-cream kazakh flavors

Ice Cream Flavored with Kurt, Tara, and Balkaymak Presented in Almaty

An Almaty-based company, UMAMI, has launched a new line of ice cream inspired by traditional Kazakh flavors. The collection features three distinct varieties: kurt, tary, and balkaymak. Balkaymak is a rich, creamy dessert, sometimes prepared with flour and honey, and typically served warm alongside bread or pastries. Tary refers to roasted millet, a staple often enjoyed with tea. Kurt is a protein and mineral-rich dried fermented milk product, deeply rooted in Kazakh culinary heritage. UMAMI’s project aims not only to surprise the palate but also to integrate national gastronomy into a modern context, creating what the team hopes will become a new symbol of Kazakh culture. “You'll find it interesting in your mouth,” promises brand co-founder and technologist Oksana Kim-Flayosk. A Flavor Journey in Every Scoop Among the standout offerings is the cream kurt ice cream, made using authentic kurt. The UMAMI team sampled dozens of variations from different producers before selecting the ideal base. The flavor unfolds in stages: a brackish start, followed by a sour note, and ending in a sweet finish. To elevate the experience, UMAMI recommends serving the kurt ice cream in a baursak, a traditional Kazakh fried dough delicacy. Kim-Flayosk likens this combination to a local version of the Italian dessert maritozzo, where a sweet bun is filled with cream. “We put a ball of ice cream in the baursak, and that's our national version of maritozzo,” she explained. While all three flavors were tested in baursaks, kurt was the undisputed favorite among tasters. Nauryz Roots and Steppe Spirit The Tary & Talkan flavor, originally created for the Nauryz holiday five years ago, was so well received that it earned a permanent spot in UMAMI’s lineup. The recipe combines black tea infused with milk, roasted millet ground into talkan, and a dairy base, evoking the spirit of the Kazakh steppe. The third offering, Balkaymak & Irimshik, is rich and textured, featuring bits of irimshik (a type of curd) to accentuate the contrast between its caramel and creamy elements. “I wanted there to be texture, to be able to chew. First creamy, then caramel, and then creamy again,” said Kim-Flayosk. Prior to finalizing the recipe, UMAMI conducted a public survey to better understand what balkaymak means to different people. Responses varied widely, from cream skimmed from spring milk to a boiled mixture of sour cream, flour, and sugar. Modernizing Tradition Kim-Flayosk emphasized UMAMI’s commitment to preserving and popularizing Kazakh culinary identity. “We are a local brand. We see society’s interest in traditions and want to be part of a culture that popularizes Kazakhstani products,” she said. The company plans to launch souvenir boxes featuring all three flavors in the coming month, offering a gastronomic symbol of Kazakhstan to locals and tourists alike. Non-standard ice cream flavors are increasingly part of a global trend. Around the world, producers are experimenting with combinations like mustard and dill, eel, black pepper, garlic, chili, and even beer. In this diverse international context, UMAMI’s Kazakhstani creations stand out not just for...

Export

Uzbekistan to Help Kyrgyzstan Export Nuts and Dried Fruits to Global Markets

Kyrgyzstan has secured a trade agreement with a leading Uzbek exporter of dried fruits, paving the way for systematic food exports to Europe and the Persian Gulf. Ecofruit, a major Uzbek producer and exporter of dried fruits, has expressed strong interest in Kyrgyz nuts and dried fruits, citing their high quality and ecological purity. "Among the products that can enter international markets are apricots, dried uruk, prunes, walnuts, pistachios, barberries, and white and red beans. Of particular interest were walnuts and prunes, which enjoy stable demand in foreign markets," the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy said. The Uzbek company also announced plans to open a representative office in Kyrgyzstan, signaling long-term cooperation. Kyrgyzstan is expanding its dried fruit exports, with apples accounting for the largest share of the country’s fruit and berry production. In 2023, Kyrgyzstan exported nearly 1,000 tons of dried apples to Germany. Other key importers include Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Japan. Sample shipments are now reaching the countries of the Persian Gulf, and South Korea. Once used primarily as an ingredient, dried apples are now marketed as snacks. Kyrgyzstan is also known for its high-quality beans, particularly from the Talas region, which is a major production and export hub. Kyrgyz beans are exported to Turkey, Russia, India, Iran, and several European countries. In 2024, exports expanded to China, with 16 Kyrgyz companies registered as official bean suppliers. Walnuts have an even wider global market and are grown primarily in the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan, particularly in the renowned Arslanbob walnut forests, which span 42,500 hectares. At the end of 2023, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy signed agreements to export walnuts to China and Turkey. While Russia remains the primary buyer, Kyrgyz walnuts are also exported to the Middle East. With Uzbekistan’s Ecofruit expanding its presence in Kyrgyzstan, the country’s nuts and dried fruits sector is poised for stronger global market integration. The partnership could increase export volumes and create new trade routes, benefiting Kyrgyz farmers and agribusinesses.