Integrated land use management systems in Uzbekistan – Part 2

Book excerpt: The aim of this report is to describe and analyse the economic and business aspects of agroforestry implementation in Uzbekistan. This information is presented with the goal of enabling the development of detailed and specific suggestions for land use contract development. First, the report presents an in-depth literature review of studies that have examined the economic structure and viability of agroforestry and other agricultural practices in the region. Specifically, this review focuses on developing a nuanced understanding of relevant business structures, economic relationships between various land users and local forestry officials, and existing co-management agreements and contracts that affect the economic viability of land use activities. Current employment structure and land tenure conditions are also examined. Second, the report presents the findings of several field visits to pilot sites in Uzbekistan. These field trips were organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and carried out by national experts Sirojiddin Eshmatov and Sobir Azizov. Based on interviews and visits to farmers, the study team collected information about the current economic situation of smallholder farmers and other land users. These visits aimed in part to understand the specific economic and business considerations faced by agroforestry practitioners or interested land users in the pilot sites. Together, the two components form the empirical basis for a set of specific recommendations for land users and policymakers interested in developing agroforestry as an economically viable activity in the context of agriculture in Uzbekistan.