The state of the agri-, food-, and climate-tech innovation ecosystem in Uzbekistan

Since 2016, Uzbekistan has embarked on a transformative journey of economic reform. With the liberalization of currency, attraction of foreign direct investment, and the removal of state-imposed quotas and subsidies, Uzbekistan has laid the groundwork for a more dynamic, market-based economy. Amid this ongoing transformation, innovation has emerged as a key driver of sustainable agricultural development in the country. In 2017, the government established the Ministry of Innovative Development (now part of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation) and other targeted programs, demonstrating a clear political will to support the creation and scaling of homegrown solutions, including those in the agri-, food- and climate-tech space. This report provides a timely assessment of Uzbekistan’s nascent but promising agrifood-tech ecosystem, framed within the context of structural reforms and environmental realities such as water scarcity and climate change. Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector stands out due to its irrigation dependency, landlocked position, predominance of smallholder farmers, and continued state engagement. The report examines the enabling conditions needed to foster innovation, strengthen farmers’ adoption capacity, and attract both local and international investment. The State of the Agri-, Food-, and Climate-Tech Innovation Ecosystem in Uzbekistan is part of a broader series of country reports created by CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP) in collaboration with national and international stakeholders. This series aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the agri-, food-, and climate-tech ecosystems in emerging markets across the globe. Each report in the series elaborates on key market trends and identifies major players operating within the given country.