BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. Uzbekistan and the
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) agreed to
accelerate the launch of a $44 million agribusiness support project
and begin preparing a new package of joint initiatives, including a
program to expand the country's drone training capabilities.
This was reflected in the statement by the Ministry of
Agriculture of Uzbekistan.
The agreements were reached during a meeting between Agriculture
Minister Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov and IFAD Vice President Gérardine
Mukeshimana on the sidelines of the 30th session of the Food and
Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Committee on Agriculture (COAG) in
Rome.
According to the ministry, the talks focused on moving the ASPIR
(Agribusiness Support Project), valued at $44 million, into the
implementation phase as quickly as possible.
"The parties reached an agreement to accelerate the launch of
the ASPIR project," the ministry said in a statement.
The two sides also discussed the next phase of cooperation
between Uzbekistan and IFAD, proposing a series of new development
projects aimed at supporting innovation and sustainable
agricultural growth.
Among the initiatives considered was the expansion of
Uzbekistan's Drone Academy, a program designed to promote the use
of unmanned aerial technologies in agriculture. The ministry said
IFAD expressed strong interest in the initiative, and both parties
agreed to prepare the project's concept in the near term and begin
implementation work.
The meeting also covered preparations for the 50th anniversary
session of the IFAD Governing Council, scheduled for February
2027.
According to the ministry, IFAD leadership invited Uzbekistan to
participate in the anniversary session, emphasizing that the
country's involvement would contribute to strengthening
international agricultural cooperation.
At the conclusion of the talks, Uzbekistan and IFAD reaffirmed
their commitment to accelerating existing joint projects while
launching new initiatives to deepen their strategic
partnership.
IFAD has been one of Uzbekistan's long-standing development
partners, supporting projects aimed at improving rural livelihoods,
strengthening agricultural value chains and increasing climate
resilience. The latest agreements reflect Tashkent's broader
strategy of modernizing the agricultural sector through
international financing, digital technologies and innovation. By
combining investment in agribusiness with initiatives such as
drone-based agricultural services, Uzbekistan is seeking to improve
productivity, enhance resource efficiency and promote sustainable
rural development as part of its ongoing agricultural reform
agenda.
