FAO, EU Promote Sustainable Farming Through Farmer Schools

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Since April 2026, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with financial support from the European Union (EU), has been implementing Farmer Field Schools (FFS) under the project "Technical Assistance for the Sound Management of Hazardous Chemicals."

The initiative will run through December 2026 and covers four Farmer Field Schools in Uzbekistan: one in the Ferghana region, one in the Namangan region and two in the Jizzakh region. Each school includes 15 small-scale farmers growing tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers and other vegetable crops in greenhouses.

In June 2026, FAO organized field days and preparatory training sessions for Farmer Field School participants aimed at strengthening farmers' practical knowledge and promoting sustainable plant protection methods. The interactive events enabled participants to exchange experience, review the results of field observations and learn about improved crop production technologies adapted to local conditions.

Roberto Aparisio, a representative of the European Union Delegation to Uzbekistan, also took part in the events. He highlighted the importance of the initiative and the strong partnership between FAO and the European Union in supporting the sustainable development of Uzbekistan's rural areas.

The visits were intended to assess the implementation of the Farmer Field Schools and engage local stakeholders in planning future activities. Participants reviewed interim results, discussed existing challenges and identified opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the approach and expand its reach across the region.

"To date, participating in the Farmer Field Schools programme has been highly beneficial for me. The most important lesson I have learned is the importance of prevention — properly preparing the soil and taking all necessary measures before planting.

Preventing pests and diseases is far more effective than dealing with them afterward. I have already started applying these approaches in practice and find regular monitoring and early detection of potential problems particularly valuable," said Nurmukhammad Mamajonov, a Farmer Field School participant from the Altyaryk district of the Ferghana region.

"Working directly with farmers in the field allows us to see tangible results, including improved production practices, wider use of biological plant protection methods and greater confidence among farmers in applying modern sustainable approaches," said Jakhongir Babadjanov, technical expert for the European Union-funded project. "These practical training activities are essential for achieving lasting positive change at the local community level."

The Farmer Field School approach is based on participatory learning and hands-on experience, enabling farmers to test and adopt innovative agricultural technologies under real field conditions.

This training model helps strengthen participants' professional knowledge, increase crop yields and expand the use of biological plant protection methods, thereby contributing to reduced use of hazardous chemicals.

Under the project, FAO and the European Union continue to support local communities by strengthening capacities, fostering cooperation among stakeholders and promoting sustainable agricultural practices that contribute to national priorities and broader regional development goals.