Uzbekistan Launches Camel Farming Development Project

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan has begun implementing a new project aimed at developing camel farming, ensuring the rational use of pasture resources, strengthening food security, and increasing the resilience of agriculture to climate change in arid regions.

The initiative, titled “Support for Camel Farming and Production in Uzbekistan,” is being implemented in the context of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, declared by the United Nations General Assembly. The project focuses on developing sustainable forms of livestock production and improving pasture management.

During the presentation, it was noted that pastures cover about 54% of the Earth’s land surface and provide livelihoods for more than 200 million pastoralists. In Uzbekistan, pasturelands account for 21.1 million hectares, or approximately 47–50% of the country’s territory, with a significant portion affected by varying levels of degradation.

Experts emphasize that camel farming is a promising area of climate-adaptive livestock production for Uzbekistan, given its desert and foothill regions. Currently, the country has 17,600 camels, with the main herds located in Bukhara and Navoi regions, the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and Kashkadarya Region.

As part of the project, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The document provides for the development of the camel farming sector, productivity enhancement, improvement of breeding practices, and the preparation of a national development strategy for the sector.

Separately, 15 livestock specialists and farmers were awarded the “Fidokor Livestock Farmer” badge for their contributions to the industry.

The project also includes the development of Arvana and Kazakh Bactrian breeds, improvement of milk productivity, and the formation of value chains. The initiative is expected to serve as a foundation for the systematic development of the sector and the introduction of a sustainable pastoral livestock model in the country.