Assessment of the

14) Provide Agriculture Extension Services to Improve Production. 
The ALCs will be dependent upon volumes and high-quality produce which results in the need for 
Agriculture Extension Services. This is critical to improving all aspects of crop production from seed, germ 
plasm, plant spacing, husbandry, and harvest, through the cold chain to final retail or export delivery. This 
will strengthen the ability to improve the quality of crops from pre-planting all the way through final sale 
and will yield greater volumes through enhanced field-level knowledge and production practices. 
The establishment of more greenhouse horticultural crop production would also improve the quality of 
production. The GoU may consider researching other high value export-focused crops to augment the 
existing crops such as cherries and grapes. Generally, it is recommended to encourage quality over 
quantity, and focus on the value proposition as opposed to production volumes. 
15) Consider a visit to Shymkent, Kazakhstan to learn about their experience 
with an ALC. 
There are several examples, including those described in the case studies, that could provide a valuable 
learning experience. However, WFLO experience with study tours has been that they are most effective 
when the difference in the industry’s level of sophistication is not as stark. For example, regional study 
tours tend to inspire competition and an understanding of what is not only possible but feasible.
Particularly, the logistics hub built in Shymkent would be an excellent opportunity to learn from the 
challenges and successes of a neighboring country.
INTRODUCTION 
The Government of Uzbekistan’s Agri-food Development Strategy 2019-2030 outlines a vision to support 
a thriving agri-food industry for Uzbekistan in the 21st century. This strategy identifies a development 
plan for Uzbekistan’s agriculture, food and rural sector for the period 2019-2030, proving a long-term 
vision for the development of Uzbek agriculture and rural areas, as well as offering the basis for a stable, 
predictable, and transparent legal framework aimed at improving the business climate and stimulating 
investment for the modernization of the sector. This strategy also provides the basis for the institutional 
and budgetary reforms necessary for successful implementation. 
One of the priorities of the strategy is to support the strengthening of the business environment in the 
agri-food sector. A high priority action linked to achieving this objective is the need to assess, design, 
establish and develop modern regional agri-logistics infrastructure and services.
Encouraging investment in agri-logistics infrastructure and services will help to address the high levels of 
post-harvest losses experienced by many Uzbek farmers today, which are caused by various factors 

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7 | ASSESSMENT OF REGIONAL AGRI-LOGISTICS CENTERS IN UZBEKISTAN USAID.GOV 
including: the lack of available sorting, grading, and packaging services and facilities; no pre-cooling present; 
limited access to localized farmer and wholesale market facilities; lack of adequate transport, storage and 
refrigeration services; inadequate and under developed agri-food processing facilities; and the lack of 
farmer knowledge of good post-harvest practices and quality standards. The solution to reducing post-
harvest losses is through the proper management of the product at the farm level as well as the integrated 
cold chain; concurrently, the product value is maintained to international standards which positions the 
industry to increase higher value exports, as well as address the need to supply domestic retail with high 
value products. Investment in agri-logistics infrastructure and services will also help to support the 
government strategy of agriculture diversification and the promotion of higher value horticulture agri-
food exports.
To this end, WFLO and Dr. Mulat Abegaz Legesse were retained as part of the USAID-funded Uzbekistan 
Agricultural Value Chain (AVC) Activity to support the Uzbek government in assessing investment 
opportunities in the agri-logistics sector, by identifying the needs at the local, regional and national level 
to support successful investments by both the public and private sector in compliance with the Agri-food 
Development Strategy. 
The nature and type of ALCs to be developed and established depend on several factors including the 
type and nature of produce, product value, market requirements such as quality and food safety of the 
potential markets, size of the market, volume of produce, required regulatory and development supports, 
the nature and type of infrastructures required including access and vicinity to sea, railway, road and air 
transport systems. The assessment of the needs and requirements for the establishment and development 
of regional agri-logistics infrastructure & services in Uzbekistan targeted three regions: Tashkent, Fergana 
and Andijan. Following desktop research, in-country interviews were conducted between October 8th -
19th, 2019.