USAID Agribusiness Development Activity Annual Report FY2021

The five-year project, funded by USAID, began in July 2020 and will conclude in June 2025. The project's objectives include empowering women and youth with skills and knowledge to secure positions within local businesses or start their own enterprises, linking academia with the private sector, strengthening and diversifying agriculture extension services, and designing policies to promote the growth and development of Uzbekistan's agricultural sector. During fiscal year 2021, the Activity organized 3 voice chats, 4 study tours, and 25 field-based trainings to build the knowledge, skills, and capacity of 877 farmers and agribusiness owners in the horticulture, aquaculture, and oilseed sectors. The Activity partnered with three Uzbek higher education institutions and the private sector to conduct roundtables and webinars for 508 professors and students on modern techniques of postharvest handling and processing of agricultural products. The Activity also launched the Agribusiness Development Fund to support agribusinesses and entrepreneurs in adopting new technologies and management practices. The Activity coordinated closely with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan to support the introduction of agriculture extension services through the AKIS program and provided technical assistance to the MoA in the development of a law on agritourism and promotion of agricultural land reform in Uzbekistan. A gender equality and social inclusion assessment was conducted, and a GESI Development Plan was prepared to promote women and youth employment and entrepreneurship. The Activity also signed a contract modification with USAID's Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Hub to support Uzbek women in gaining employment and launching startup enterprises in rural Uzbekistan. The Activity organized a series of voice chats to build the knowledge and skills of farmers and agribusiness owners. The first voice chat, held on May 11th, focused on exporting cherries and was viewed more than 1,780 times. The second voice chat, held on June 3rd, focused on best practices of managing intensive orchards and vineyards and was viewed more than 1,384 times. The third voice chat, held on August 12th, focused on the challenges and opportunities of engaging youth in agribusiness and was viewed more than 1,387 times. The Activity also partnered with the Young Farmers Council of Uzbekistan to conduct a social media awareness week to motivate youth to engage in agribusiness. Several profiles of successful young farmers were shared on social media, and a live Telegram voice chat was held to discuss issues of youth involvement in agribusiness. The awareness week served as a platform to celebrate young people involved in agriculture, raise awareness of youth participation in agribusiness, and help position agriculture as a profitable business.