Current situation

• Agriculture provides 18% of GDP and 27% of jobs, making it central to Uzbekistan’s economy.
• Severe land degradation affects 30% of total land area (13.7M hegtares). The most impacted zones are natural pasturelands (52%) and cropland around Ferghana Valley, Gulistan–Jizzakh corridor, Nukus, Namangan, and Tashkent.
• The last 20 years saw a steady decline in vegetation productivity across one-third of agricultural landscapes, driven by water stress, soil salinization, overgrazing, and desertification.
• Irrigation inefficiency is a critical barrier: 90% of water resources are used for irrigation, while salinity and waterlogging reduce yields. Climate change will intensify this through glacier melt, reduced river runoff, and droughts.
• Forests cover only 8.6% of the territory, and degradation has worsened due to illegal logging, overgrazing, and wildfires.
• Land degradation and cotton monoculture create ecological imbalance and hinder diversification.
• Pests and diseases are intensifying against the backdrop of climate change and extreme weather events.
• Fragmentation of climate services: data is collected by duplicate structures, and there is no single center or coordination.
• Limited access to information for farmers: forecasts and data are most often available only to government agencies, not to local users.
• Lack of training and knowledge sharing: existing training and projects are fragmented and do not create a sustainable skills base.

Cost of inaction

• Land degradation already costs USD$2.8B annually (≈4.6% of GDP) in lost ecosystem services.
• Crop losses alone account for USD$1.1B per year, while pasture degradation causes USD$93M losses annually. Water losses from irrigation inefficiency equal 3.56B m³ annually (≈1.8% of GDP).
• Without urgent action, food security and rural livelihoods (where 80% of the poor live) will be at risk.

Key problems

1. Water scarcity & irrigation inefficiency: overdependence on surface water, salinity, and aging infrastructure.
2. Land degradation: soil erosion, overgrazing, and desertification affecting one-third of croplands and pasture.
3. Climate risks: increasing droughts, floods, mudslides, glacier retreat, and temperature rise threatening yields and labor productivity.
4. Institutional weaknesses: fragmented policies, lack of coordination, outdated land use planning.
5. Economic losses: 4.6% of GDP lost annually due to inaction on degradation.

Conclusions
Uzbekistan’s agriculture faces severe threats from land degradation, water scarcity, and climate change, but the country has clear opportunities to reverse trends. With targeted investments in climate-smart technologies, institutional reform, and financial innovation, Uzbekistan can protect its ecosystems, secure food supply, and generate economic gains of nearly 3% of GDP annually while progressing toward middle-income development goals.

ESG services provided by GCF Eurasia
1. Training
Providing training on methods of adapting agriculture and water sectors to climate change for a wide range of participants:

• representatives of the private sector in agriculture and water management;
• representatives of the public sector (including representatives of ministries);
• employees and entrepreneurs from related industries.

2. Interview
Interviewing representatives of the private and public sectors and collecting information on the main problems in agriculture related to climate change.

3. Analysis
Analysis of the information received and development of a broad list of measures for adapting agriculture to climate change for all stakeholders.

4. Roadmap
Developing a medium-term roadmap with an assessment of the financial costs and implementation deadlines for each of the proposed measures for all stakeholders.

5. Report
Preparation of a detailed report with examples of best practices in agriculture and water scarcity conditions relevant to Central Asian countries. The report includes an assessment of strengths and weaknesses, as well as measures developed to adapt agriculture and water management to climate change.

Key results

1. Training sessions have been provided to raise awareness among a wide range of stakeholders about existing opportunities for adapting agriculture and water management to climate change.
2. Reviewing feedback on training results and conducting interviews with stakeholders. The significance of stakeholder engagement has been assessed and developed measures to involve stakeholders in the implementation measures for adapting agriculture and water management to climate change.
3. Analysis information from stakeholders about current situation in country related to agriculture and water management. Relevant examples of best practices have been selected at both the international and local levels.
4. Developed the roadmap for adapting agriculture and water management to climate change. Also identified barriers for stakeholders that hinder the implementation of adaptation measures. Provided and recommendations to enhance the private sector's capacity to adapt to climate change.
5. The detailed report has been compiled, including a roadmap for measures to adapt agriculture and water management to climate change, recommendations for involving stakeholders in adaptation activities, and an assessment of the necessary financial resources and timeframes for implementing the measures.