President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on preventing pasture degradation, improving water supply and increasing the efficient use of pasturelands across the country. According to the presentation, Uzbekistan has a total of 21.255mn hectares of pastureland, of which only 40% is currently being used effectively.
Regional governors have been tasked with restoring and increasing the productivity of 620,000 hectares of pastureland by the end of 2026 and an additional 3.7mn hectares in 2027. The governors were also instructed to approve comprehensive programs, in coordination with the Agency for the Development of Livestock and Pasture Farming, to reduce the area of degraded pastures by 10% in 2026 and 20% in 2027.
The presentation outlined measures to improve water access across pasturelands. Under the proposed arrangements, revenue from pasture lease payments will remain with regional pasture management entities and be used to develop water infrastructure. The measures include drilling an additional 448 wells to improve water supply for 1.5mn hectares of pastureland by 2027.
Another 1,600 existing wells are scheduled to be repaired by the end of 2026. Additionally, UZS 100bn (over $8.4mn) will be allocated from the state budget to construct 323 irrigation facilities over three years. Of these, 161 facilities are planned for 2026, followed by 81 in 2027 and another 81 in 2028. The construction of these facilities is expected to enable the restoration of 969,000 hectares of pastureland.
The presentation also outlined plans to allow pasturelands to be leased for activities beyond livestock farming. These activities include ecotourism, beekeeping, cultivation of medicinal plants, nursery operations, hunting and sericulture. However, leaseholders will be required to preserve the natural condition of pasturelands and ensure their regeneration.