Hospitality is a hallmark of Central Asian culture, and
food plays a starring role. Some traditional dishes
date back centuries, and some contemporary dishes
reflect the influences of distant places. With increasing
globalization and trade, the region is becoming less
isolated, and faces new opportunities and challenges.
One major challenge already influencing the region is
climate change, and one of the most vulnerable sectors
is agriculture. Farmers, gardeners, pastoralists and
consumers all have a stake in this challenge, and how
they respond will determine how secure their food
supply – and their cherished food traditions – will be in
the coming years.