ICBA Hosts Stakeholder Analysis Workshop in Uzbekistan to Strengthen Agribusiness Value Chains in Karakalpakstan

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), with the support of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, successfully concluded a Stakeholder Analysis Workshop in Tashkent under the project “Development of Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems in Degraded Areas of Karakalpakstan”.

The workshop marked an important step toward scaling up project outcomes and strengthening inclusive, resilient, and competitive agribusiness value chains in Karakalpakstan. Spanning two days, the event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers, cooperative leaders, research institutions, agripreneurs, and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of strengthening sustainable agriculture and capacity development to build resilient food systems.

For her part, H.E. Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of ICBA, highlighted the significance of the workshop as a platform for advancing collaboration toward sustainable agricultural transformation, stating:

“This workshop represents a key milestone in our ongoing efforts to support sustainable agricultural transformation in Karakalpakstan. Through this partnership, we are building a roadmap that connects science, policy, and practice to strengthen agribusiness value chains and improve livelihoods in saline and degraded environments. Our goal is to ensure that every initiative we undertake creates lasting impact — one that is inclusive, collaborative, and locally driven.”

Following the opening, discussions began with an overview of Uzbekistan’s cooperative system, exploring challenges and opportunities to strengthen the role of farm cooperatives in agricultural technology dissemination and productivity enhancement. Participants exchanged perspectives on how collective action can support more inclusive and resilient agricultural growth.

Dr. Jeetendra Prakash Aryal, Economist at ICBA, facilitated an in-depth session on agribusiness value chains, focusing on the modernization of Uzbekistan’s key agricultural products and investment priorities. Through a group brainstorming exercise, Dr. Aryal guided participants in identifying local products with high export or value-added potential, emphasizing the importance of cooperative alignment with national modernization efforts to enhance value addition and market competitiveness.

H.E. Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi later led a strategic discussion on value-chain constraints, where participants analyzed systemic bottlenecks in areas such as input access, processing, logistics, market information, and financing. The dialogue underscored the need for stronger institutional coordination and innovation to unlock the potential of agricultural value chains in Karakalpakstan.

Building on these insights, Dr. Charbel Tarraf, Chief Operations and Development at ICBA, delivered a presentation on ICBA’s research innovations, capacity development initiatives, and inclusion of women and youth in agriculture. He showcased ICBA’s integrated models for sustainable agricultural production and highlighted how science-based approaches are being adapted to local contexts in saline and arid environments.

The workshop concluded with an open discussion, evaluation, and certificate distribution, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and partnership building. The outcomes will inform future stakeholder engagement and capacity-building activities under the project, strengthening cooperation for inclusive, resilient, and competitive agricultural value chains in Karakalpakstan and the wider region.