FAO-EU project conducts Training of Trainers to enhance Pest and Pesticide Management for a Sustainable Future in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Agency of Plant Protection and Quarantine under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, is conducting a five-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on sustainable pest and pesticide management in Tashkent from 9 to 13 February 2026. The workshop is organized under the project “Technical Assistance for Sound Management of Hazardous Chemicals” funded by European Union which supports the country’s transition toward safer, more resilient agricultural systems.

The training will equip approximately 30 national experts—including staff from the Agency of Plant Protection and Quarantine, extension agents, and pesticide sector representatives—with practical skills and knowledge to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM), reduce reliance on highly hazardous pesticides, and strengthen pesticide risk communication at the local level.

“Sustainable agriculture depends not only on what farmers do today, but on how well we prepare the advisors who guide them,” said Ms Tania Santivanez, FAO Agricultural Officer and Project Lead Technical Officer. She highlighted, “This workshop is designed to create a multiplier effect—empowering trainers who can then pass on science-based, farmer-friendly practices across Uzbekistan’s regions.”

The curriculum integrates adult learning principles with hands-on, field-relevant sessions covering:

• Health and environmental risks linked to pesticide misuse
• Practical exercises in pest identification, monitoring, and sprayer calibration
• Principles of IPM, biological and low-risk alternatives to pesticides
• Safe handling, storage, and disposal of pesticides
• Effective communication techniques for farmer training and risk awareness

The initiative contributes directly to Uzbekistan’s Green Growth Strategy and its 2025 focus on environmental protection and a green economy, while supporting national efforts toward international commitments under the Stockholm, Rotterdam, Basel and Minamata Conventions.

“Through training, we are investing in human capacity as the cornerstone of lasting agricultural transformation,” added Mr Sherzod Umarov, Assistant FAO Representative in Uzbekistan. He stated that this effort, supported by the strong partnership with the European Union, is crucial for building Uzbekistan’s national expertise in sustainable agriculture, fostering a safer and greener future for its people.

By empowering trainers with the tools for sustainable agriculture, the FAO-EU partnership is helping to build a more resilient agricultural sector that thrives in harmony with the environment.