Uzbekistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations are scaling up efforts to strengthen the sweet cherry value chain through a new FAO-China South-South Cooperation project under the One Country One Priority Product initiative. A regional workshop held in Namangan from 18 to 20 May 2026 brought together government officials, farmers, private sector actors, researchers, and experts from across Europe and Central Asia to showcase Uzbekistan’s sweet cherry sector and build capacity for sustainable agricultural product development.
Uzbekistan has been selected as one of 15 global demonstration countries under the initiative, representing Europe and Central Asia. With support from FAO and China, the country will strengthen the entire sweet cherry value chain, from production and post-harvest handling to processing, marketing, and international market access. Producing up to 180,000 tonnes annually, Uzbekistan benefits from favorable climate conditions, low production costs, and strong transport and cold-storage networks. Smallholder family farms, which account for 70 percent of horticultural output, are central to this sector, with women playing a vital role in production and processing.
Officials emphasized the importance of sweet cherry cultivation as a driver of rural incomes and economic growth. The initiative aims to reduce post-harvest losses, improve production practices, and create greater value along the chain. FAO representatives noted that Uzbekistan’s role as a demonstration country reflects its strong potential to develop competitive and sustainable horticultural value chains, while also fostering cooperation among farmers, researchers, and private sector actors.
The workshop featured technical sessions on sustainable production systems, innovative technologies, and market development. Experts from China introduced methodologies such as Geographical Indications for Environment and Sustainability and shared advancements in cultivation, storage, and processing. Participants also exchanged experiences from other OCOP countries in the region, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Serbia, Tajikistan, and Türkiye.
A field visit in Namangan Province allowed participants to observe innovative practices firsthand, including cherry orchards and advanced logistics systems. FAO leaders stressed the importance of translating knowledge exchange into tangible results, highlighting the need for cooperation to ensure visible and scalable impacts.
The workshop marked a significant step in advancing the OCOP initiative in Europe and Central Asia, reinforcing regional collaboration and supporting the sustainable development of special agricultural product value chains that benefit farmers, rural communities, and future generations.
