Forest

In Uzbekistan, part of the forests without trees and pastures will be transferred to the cultivation of food crops

June 17, 2025

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The Uzbek president has instructed the government to determine the share of pastures and forests without trees that can be transferred to the population for growing fodder and food crops. “With such resources, we could fully cover domestic demand for meat and enter exports,” he said.

At a meeting on June 16, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev criticized the work of Agrostar companies and ordered a review of the approach to the distribution of forest and pasture lands.

In 16 districts of Uzbekistan, Agrostar companies were organized at the beginning of the year , for the development of which 300 billion soums of budget funds and bank loans of 10 million dollars for each have already been allocated. The task is to introduce modern agricultural technologies for growing, storing, processing and exporting fruit and vegetable products.

However, according to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in five of these districts, fruit and vegetable exports did not increase, but decreased compared to last year.

“If all the resources are provided, why is Agrostar still not showing results?” he asked.

Forests and pastures

The head of state recalled that khokims are required to increase food production and exports, but they do not have access to a significant portion of the land in their districts, because these lands (forests and pastures) are under the jurisdiction of republican organizations. We are talking about 12 million hectares of forest lands and 16 million hectares of pastures.

Due to the lack of authority of local authorities, these areas are practically not involved in agricultural circulation.

“With such resources, we could fully cover domestic demand for meat and enter the export market,” the president emphasized.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed the Prime Minister to determine within a month what portion of forest and pasture lands can be transferred to the population for fodder and food crops, and to put them up for auction.

At the same time, it is necessary to resolve the issue of working capital for farmers and livestock breeders who will receive new plots.

The decision to transfer forest and pasture lands to the population for growing food and feed carries both potential benefits and serious risks, especially in the context of the already pressing problem of overgrazing and pasture degradation in Uzbekistan.

Zoologist Sergei Zagrebin noted in a column for Gazeta in August 2023 that Uzbeks consume more meat than they can afford with current production methods. Livestock numbers exceed pasture resources. Overgrazing leads to ecosystem degradation and a reduction in biodiversity. He made recommendations on how to organize proper pasture management.

https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2025/06/16/pastures-forest-lands/