Denau institute of entrepreneurship and pedagogy socio-humanitarian faculty

CHAPTER I. AGRICULTURE IN UZBEKISTAN
Agriculture in Uzbekistan employs 28% of the country's labor force and contributes 24% of its GDP (2006 data). Crop agriculture requires irrigation and occurs mainly in river valleys and oases. Cultivable land is 4.5 million hectares, or about 10% of Uzbekistan's total area, and it has to be shared between crops and cattle. Desert pastures cover fully 50% of the country, but they support only sheep.
Cotton is Uzbekistan's main cash crop, accounting for 17% of its exports in 2006. With annual cotton production of about 1 million ton of fiber (4%-5% of world production) and exports of 700,000-800,000 tons (10% of world exports), Uzbekistan is the 6th largest producer and the 2nd largest exporter of cotton in the world. However, because of the risks associated with a one-crop economy as well as from considerations of food security for the population, Uzbekistan has been moving to diversify its production into cereals, while reducing cotton production. Thus, the area sown to cotton was reduced from 1.9 million hectares in 1990 to 1.4 million hectares in 2006, while the area under cereals increased from 1.0 million to 1.6 million hectares (in part at the expense of areas allocated to feed crops). Another cause behind moves to diversify may be environmental, because the large quantities of irrigation and fertilization needed to produce cotton have contributed to the drying up of the Aral Sea and to the severe pollution of the soil in the surrounding areas¹.
The main cereals are wheat, barley, corn, and also rice, which is grown in intensively irrigated oases. Minor crops include sesame, onions, flax, and tobacco. Fresh fruits are mainly consumed domestically, while dried fruits are also exported. Uzbek melons, known for their long life and unique taste, are widely sought after in the large cities of the CIS.
Pelts of the karakul sheep bred in Bukhara and its environs are a traditional export commodity, but their contribution to total exports today is negligible. The production of karakul pelts dropped from 1.4 million pieces in 1990 to less than 700,000 pieces in 2004. Cattle, sheep, and chickens are raised for meat. There are 3 million cows in Uzbekistan, and they produce 5 million liters of milk per year. 
The achieved yields of around 1,600 kg of milk per cow per year are among the lowest in the CIS (compared to 2,500 kg per cow per year for Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova) and dismally low compared to those in the EU countries or North America. The low milk yields are attributable to insufficient feed and reluctance of peasants to use artificial insemination for breed improvement.
Although silkworms and mulberry trees have existed in Uzbekistan since the 4th century and the country is known for its colorfully patterned silks, the silk industry continues to be statistically insignificant.
Up to 1991, agriculture in Uzbekistan (then Uzbek SSR), as in all other Soviet republics, was organized in a dual system, in which large-scale collective and state farms coexisted in a symbiotic relationship with quasi-private individual farming on subsidiary household plots. The process of transition to a market economy that began in independent Uzbekistan after 1992 led to the creation of three types of farms: the traditional household plots were renamed dehkan (or dehqon) farms (Uzbek: деҳқон хўжаликлари, Russian: дехканские хозяйства); the large-scale collective and former state farms were reclassified as shirkats (agricultural production cooperatives) or other corporate forms (joint-stock societies, limited liability companies, partnerships); and a new category of midsized peasant farms or “farmers” (Uzbek: фермер хўжаликлари, Russian: фермерские хозяйства) was introduced between the small dehkan farms and the large-scale shirkats. As of 2006, "farmers" cultivate 75% of sown area, while dehkan farms cultivate 12.5% and various corporate farms control the remaining 12.5%. The situation is totally different with regard to livestock: 95% of cows is in dehkan farms, 4% in peasant farms, and just 1% in corporate farms. Dehkan farms produce 62% of gross agricultural output, followed by 32% in peasant farms, and a mere 6% in corporate farms.
The government of Uzbekistan attempts to play an active role in development of agriculture and recently it has accounted for approximately 17.3 percent of GDP and employing about 26 percent of the labor force of the country. Additionally, the Government intents to develop the textile sector of the country and for this purpose, it will process more of its own raw cotton into intermediary or consumer goods in order to export. In the near future, there will be allocated around $1 billion for the modernization of the textile industry during 2015-2020 period. It is estimated that it will lead to an increase in the volume of local processing of cotton from the current 44 percent to 70 percent in 2020, and as a result, the textile products will go up from $800 million to $1.5 billion.
Agriculture. This part provides general information regarding various directions of agriculture and its curriculum includes Picking, storing, processing and selling agricultural products, Soil fertility, problems, and measures to improve its quality, Fishery and Husbandry. Students will have a chance to get insight into the overview of agriculture industry and its practice in Uzbekistan².
Agrotechnologies. This part of the program emphasizes the identification, diagnosis, and analysis of problems, as well as the design, packaging, and application of technologies necessary for agriculture and food system conservation. Moreover, the programme offers precision farming through the use of the latest technological inputs which empowers agriculture-related agencies and supports the sustainable development of food supply by maximizing yields, increasing efficiency and reducing costs of farming. The curriculum includes the following subjects: Innovative intensive technologies in livestock and poultry farming, Modern methods of increasing productivity in agriculture, Technologies of efficient use of water and Methods of combating pests and diseases in agriculture
Agribusiness. This part of the program gives students a detailed insight into the processes of production and distribution, starting with raw material production and ending with the supply chain, as well as all stages between: trade, management, and consultancy activities. The curriculum includes the following subjects: Greenhouse economy, Farm management, SME management in agriculture, Marketing in agribusiness, Human Resources Management in Agribusiness.
2. Field trips to farms, agricultural companies and Agri clusters in Tashkent region and Samarkand.
This is the practical part of the summer school program where the students will have a chance to acquire practical knowledge by specialists and entrepreneurs in agriculture sector in Tashkent region and Samarkand. These trips will provide insight into the current trends and developments of agriculture sector in Uzbekistan.
3. Cultural events.
As part of the summer School program, students will have the opportunity to attend cultural events (museum visits, festivals and mountains) and study excursions.
4. Agritourism.
The summer school program will also provide opportunity to taste the traditional, organic and most importantly – delicious foods of Uzbekistan.
5. Accommodation.
Visiting students will live in Bagdan hotel which is the partner of UDEA. Booking assistance might be provided by the summer School administration upon a request. At the same time, the summer School administration can assist participants in arranging homestay in local families if needed. Cost of stay is not a part of the course fee.
6. Cooperation with Local Students.
In addition to providing administrative support for the course, local students will be involved in excursions and social activities outside of class hours. The visiting students will be connected with their local peers, who will show them around UDEA, and Tashkent city. The local students will provide some sight-seeing support and help the visiting students get around during the orientation day. Uzbek students will advise the course participants on everyday life in Tashkent and organize more informal social activities and events in cooperation with the administration of the summer school³.

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