Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A new international technical cooperation project has officially been launched in Uzbekistan to strengthen food security, support the agricultural sector, and ensure the resilience of the domestic market.

The project, titled “Enhancing the Capacity of the State Fund for Agricultural Support to Stabilize Wheat Prices in Uzbekistan,” is being implemented with the participation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the State Fund for Agricultural Support.

Wheat is a key crop in Uzbekistan, playing a strategic role in ensuring food stability, generating rural income, and maintaining macroeconomic balance. However, due to external economic pressures, geopolitical instability, and limited market mechanisms, the country remains vulnerable to price fluctuations in the grain market. The new project forms part of the government's systemic approach to addressing these challenges.

Over the next 24 months, the project will help strengthen the institutional capacity of the Fund by modernizing its operations, introducing digital tools, and developing analytical and policy mechanisms to better respond to price volatility. Particular emphasis will be placed on studying international best practices, especially from Türkiye, Canada, and the United States, where effective agricultural market stabilization systems are in place.

A core component of the initiative will be the capacity building of 150 staff from the Fund and related institutions. This is expected to generate widespread positive impact across the entire agri-food value chain—from producers and processors to end consumers.

“Today, we are launching not just a technical assistance project, but a platform for the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. It is our contribution to farmers’ wellbeing, the growth of markets, and ensuring affordable food for the population,” said Sherzod Umarov, Deputy Representative of FAO in Uzbekistan. “Reducing price volatility, protecting the incomes of agricultural producers, and stabilizing the cost of wheat-based products are key priorities of state policy.”

The anticipated outcomes of the project include the launch of a full-scale digital platform, a 20–25% reduction in price volatility, improved trade integration, and enhanced efficiency in the regulation of the domestic grain market.

This initiative marks an important milestone in the modernization of Uzbekistan’s agro-industrial complex and serves as a model of effective international partnership in innovation and food security.