On 1^st and 2^nd of March 2023 the workshop on Transforming Uzbekistan’s agriculture through knowledge, innovation and digitalization brought together in Tashkent national and foreign stakeholders to the present status of innovation and digitalization of agriculture in Uzbekistan and gain from the experiences of other countries. The workshop officially launched the project “Preparing the grounds for digital transformation of agriculture” implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic Uzbekistan. The project is designed to address the challenges towards innovation and digital transformation of the entire agri-food sector. One of the challenges is to have a clear vision and a roadmap in advancing innovation and digital agriculture, enhancing cooperation and improving the exchange of knowledge among farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, research and extension services at national and decentralized level (Fergana valley as a pilot).

     The project outputs are aligned with the Presidential Decrees On approval of the Strategy “Digital Uzbekistan-2030” and measures for its effective implementation and On further improvement of knowledge system and innovation and the provision of modern services in agriculture” signed respectively in 2020 and 2021.

     Speakers highlighted their experiences, the challenges faced, the opportunities for collaboration and synergies. FAO’s role is to facilitate creation and scaling up of innovations, whether digital or not, with impact in agri-food systems. FAO helps design and enable new services, tools and approaches to empower rural households and inspire entrepreneurship.

     As Sophie Treinen, FAO Communication for Development Officer, noted “All actors should be involved in the process whether at national, regional or district levels, whether they are farmers, actors from the public, private or academic sector. Leaving no one behind is our moto and this is why we should engage in dialogue not only with various institutions, but also communities, youth, women and elders at field level. We should also ensure intergenerational knowledge exchange.”

     The workshop provided good platform for key national stakeholders and foreign experts to exchange current experience and identify ways in which all parties can contribute to the overall objective of strengthening agri-food knowledge, innovation and digitalization. It was noted coordination and collaboration amongst both government institutions and international development partners need to be strengthened. During the workshop participants identified members of the two multi-actors working groups, one on innovation and another one on digitalization.

     The first day of the workshop was entitled “Launching the national coordination platform for the Uzbek Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System”, when the working groups were established to support the development of agri-food research, education and advisory services. The second day focused more on the digital transformation of agriculture and was entitled “Kicking off the development of an agrifood digitalization strategy for Uzbekistan and working group”.

     Inclusive policy and bringing vulnerable groups into technology results in more creative solutions and has greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality, which is central to FAO’s mandate. It is encouraging that the theme for upcoming International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023 is, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” which highlights among other priorities importance of agriculture digitalization for benefits of rural women as well as youth and older generation.