11 March 2021, Tashkent – The Inception Workshop was held within the Technical Cooperation Program “Recovery and development of the potato sector in response to COVID-19”. The project is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2021-2023 with total cost of $195 000.
At the event, FAO experts and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan presented the goals and objectives of the project. Members of scientific and research institutes and other specialized organizations have also attended the workshop.
“The project has one general outcome – to increase productive potential of the potato sector. This will be achieved by improving potato cultivar registration and seed potato certification, enhancing research in the area of modernization of potato production, developing on-farm production of high-quality seed and ware potatoes and improving conditions for its storage”, – Sherzod Umarov, Officer in Charge for the FAO Representation in Uzbekistan stressed.
In Central Asia, potato is a key staple crop with the greatest potential for food security, nutrition, and income generation, earning its title as the country’s “second bread,” with annual per capita potato consumption at 52.6 kg.
The negative impact of COVID-19 on agriculture requires that the existing problems be addressed in order to enhance the food security in the country through the improvement of the capacity of the potato sector to produce high, sustainable and good quality yields of potatoes. The recovery and development of the potato sector in response to COVID-19 crisis will also require additional partnerships to develop capacity in such areas as proper plant protection, research, breeding and seed certification systems.
The project will contribute to the development of sustainable potato production system, based on knowledge and good practices. The enhancement of the systems for potato cultivars’ registration and potato seed certification will ensure access of the Uzbek potato farmers to good quality seed material for their production. Training workshops carried out under the project will enhance the capacity of extension services and seed certification inspectors, who will advise farmers on enhanced methods of potato cultivation and protection from pests and diseases for efficient potato farming in Uzbekistan.
The project will be implemented following a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) which is gender-responsive and participatory. The core principle of the 2030 Agenda of leaving no one behind will be a guiding principle of the project.
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