Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan has launched a project to promote the social integration and employment of people with disabilities through the creation of adapted greenhouses. The initiative will run for 24 months and be implemented at six specialized educational institutions, the press service of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis said.
On 22 September, Anvar Tuychiev, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural, Water Management and Environmental Issues, took part in an event marking the official launch of the project “Promoting Social Integration and Employment of People with Disabilities through Adapted Greenhouses.”
The project is being implemented jointly with the National Agency for Social Protection and the representation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Uzbekistan.
The initiative aims to involve people with disabilities in the agricultural sector, expand opportunities for decent employment and income, and promote social integration by adapting existing greenhouses to their needs.
Over the 24-month period, the project will cover specialized educational institutions in Tashkent, Tashkent Region, Almalyk, Ferghana and Samarkand. As part of the initiative, greenhouses will be adapted for people with disabilities, while participants will receive practical agricultural skills and assistance with employment.
The project also plans to develop a practical model that can later be applied in other regions of the country based on the experience gained.
Particular attention at the event was paid to developing a national standard for designing greenhouses adapted for people with disabilities, as well as adapting agricultural education to their needs and disseminating the experience gained.
According to data presented at the event, more than 845,000 people with disabilities are officially registered in Uzbekistan, of whom more than 532,000 live in rural areas. The project is expected to contribute to developing their professional skills, expanding sources of income and increasing economic activity.
The participants also discussed priority measures, responsible organizations and mechanisms for cooperation at the initial stage of the project. Particular attention was paid to the timely implementation of the assigned tasks and the further broad rollout of the initiative’s results.
