The European Union delegation to Uzbekistan, along with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has delivered equipment to Uzbekistan’s Scientific Research Institute of Fish Farming to support more sustainable fish-farming methods. The new equipment will help to save water and improve water quality.
Wim Riepma, head of cooperation for the EU delegation to Uzbekistan, commented “healthy fish means healthy food and healthy people. Filters also help to improve the environment, as the fish farm will emit fewer pollutants. In addition, the use of solar water heaters, which will greatly improve fish growth in the early stages of development, contribute to energy savings.”
Uzbekistan, with its fish consumption of 3.5-4 kg per person per year, is far below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended norm of 16 kg. The reason for this is the country’s lack of access to the sea — and its outdated, river-based fish-farming methods. However, the country is trying to remedy the situation. This year, as part of a program called Every Family is an Entrepreneur, Uzbek entrepreneurs can access unsecured loans of up to $4,000 for fish-farming projects.
The equipment donated by the EU — under its Innovation in Agriculture (EU-AGRIN) project — will contribute to the development of scientific research, and improve the work of the Fisheries Research Institute and the affiliated vocational school in Fergana province. In addition to the practical benefits of an increase in fish production, the project will also contribute to creating jobs in rural areas.
The project, amounting to €4.15m ($4.5m), is financed by the EU and will last for four years. EU-AGRIN is a UNDP project aimed at promoting innovative solutions and cooperation in agriculture. So far the project has established partnerships with 18 different innovation groups.
At the end of 2023, Uzbekistan had 5,775 fish farms where 24 species of fish are cultivated for human consumption. Last year the aquaculture industry supported 2,500 jobs in the country.
