BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 15. Uzbekistan and
the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have
discussed expanding cooperation in agricultural mechanization,
artificial intelligence (AI) and drone technologies, with new joint
initiatives planned under grant projects for 2026–2028 during a
meeting in Tashkent on October 14.
This was reflected in the statement by the Uzbekistan's Ministry
of Agriculture, following a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Minister
of Agriculture Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, IFAD Vice President Donal
Brown and the organization’s representative in Uzbekistan, T. A.
Monem, during Abdurakhmonov’s visit to Italy from October 11 to 14
to attend the World Food Forum.
The parties reviewed Uzbekistan’s ongoing agricultural reforms
and the implementation and future prospects of the project
“Effective Solutions for Agribusiness: Higher Income, Investment
and Sustainability.”
During the meeting, the IFAD vice president recognized
Uzbekistan’s role in advancing food security and agricultural
development in the region. Brown also highlighted that Tashkent
hosts IFAD’s only office in Central Asia.
The discussions focused on opportunities to introduce AI
technologies into agriculture, expand mechanization and increase
the use of drones in farming under grant-funded initiatives planned
for 2026–2028.
Moreover, the parties agreed to continue joint projects and
explore further opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the
agricultural sector.
The planned initiatives are aimed at supporting agricultural
modernization, improving productivity and promoting more
sustainable farming practices in Uzbekistan.
IFAD is an international financial institution and specialized
United Nations agency that works to reduce rural poverty and
improve food security by investing in rural communities and
agricultural development.
