BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. Uzbek President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced additional financing for the livestock
sector and ordered large-scale imports of cattle and sheep after
the country's first agricultural census revealed that livestock
numbers were significantly lower than previously reported.


This was reflected in the statement published by the official
channel of the Press Secretary to the President of Uzbekistan.


The measures were announced during a government meeting
reviewing economic performance and inflation, with livestock
production identified as a key priority for improving food security
and stabilizing meat prices.


According to the census results, Uzbekistan's actual livestock
population is considerably smaller than official estimates had
indicated. The number of cattle was found to be 2.1 million head
lower, while the number of sheep and goats was 1.5 million head
below previously reported figures.


"The agricultural census has revealed the real situation in the
livestock sector," Mirziyoyev said.


The president cited Kashkadarya region as an example, where the
census identified a shortfall of 171,000 cattle and 288,000 sheep
and goats compared with earlier records.


According to officials, those discrepancies translate into an
annual reduction of approximately 50,000 metric tons of meat and
120 million liters of milk reaching the market from the region.







To accelerate livestock development, Mirziyoyev said 1 trillion
soums (about $83.4 million) had already been allocated from the
Agriculture Fund in May for livestock projects. He also announced
that an additional $50 million will be provided by the Fund for
Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan.


The financing will support the establishment of new livestock
complexes through loans of up to 5 billion soums (approximately
$417 101), while breeding cattle projects will be eligible for
loans of up to 20 billion soums (about $1.6 million).


The loans will carry an annual interest rate of 10%, with
repayment periods of 10 years and a four-year grace period,
according to the president.


Mirziyoyev also instructed officials to import 100,000 head of
cattle and 150,000 sheep and goats by the end of the year to
increase domestic production and help stabilize the supply of meat
and dairy products.


In addition, the government will extend through the end of 2026
a subsidy program covering the cost of transporting imported meat
by air, a measure introduced earlier this year to ease pressure on
domestic food prices.


The package of measures reflects Uzbekistan's broader strategy
to strengthen food security following the livestock census, improve
the accuracy of agricultural data and expand domestic meat and
dairy production. By combining preferential financing with
livestock imports and investment in breeding, the government aims
to narrow supply gaps and support long-term growth in the country's
livestock industry.