Japan to Provide ODA Loan to Uzbekistan for Livestock Development and Strengthening Veterinary Control

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 17 December 2025, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an agreement with the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan to provide an official development assistance (ODA) loan under the project “Promoting Livestock Development and Strengthening Veterinary Control,” JICA reported.

The agreement was signed by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, and JICA President Akihiko Tanaka.

The project aims to enhance veterinary oversight and food safety in Uzbekistan by leveraging Japanese expertise in animal disease diagnostics and laboratory testing. This initiative will improve sanitary conditions in livestock farming, expand access to financing for farmers and enterprises, and strengthen the country’s food security.

The project comprises three key components: provision of financial resources to farmers and livestock enterprises, delivery of modern equipment—including chromatograph-mass spectrometers for Animal Disease Diagnostic Centers and Food Safety Monitoring Facilities—and advisory services to support equipment procurement, staff training, and the optimization of production and management processes.

The total loan amounts to 21.368 billion Japanese yen, with an annual interest rate of 2.3% for the project and 0.8% for advisory services. The repayment period is 20 years, with a grace period of six years. Financing is unrestricted in terms of equipment sourcing. The Committee for Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Development is designated as the implementing agency.

The project directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including zero hunger (Goal 2), decent work and economic growth (Goal 8), and climate action (Goal 13).

Project completion is scheduled for July 2031, while financing for advisory services will extend beyond that date. An international tender for equipment procurement is planned for January 2027, with invitations for advisory services, including detailed design development, expected in February 2026.

This initiative represents a significant step toward modernizing Uzbekistan’s livestock sector, strengthening veterinary oversight, and ensuring the country’s food security.