Preparing the Grounds for Digital Transformation of Agriculture - TCP/UZB/3808

Abstract

Agriculture represents 28 percent of Uzbekistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) and gathers around 27 percent of the national labour force. Several national priorities and cooperation projects emphasized the need to digitalize agrifood systems in Uzbekistan in order to achieve healthier and more sustainable production systems and to contribute to SDGs and the CPF. However, they all focused on improving relevant government institutions systems and creating favourable preconditions to transform agriculture through the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS), which hindered the establishment of a clear roadmap to introduce digital agriculture mechanisms. Among other challenges, there is a lack of dialogue and low awareness about digitalization among agriculture stakeholders. Furthermore, there are insufficient digital skills in rural areas, a lack of attention to smallholders’ needs and a lack of decentralized knowledge exchange mechanisms available for farmers and agrobusiness entrepreneurs.