USAID to fund applied research to support agribusiness growth in Uzbekistan

On January 25, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Agribusiness Development activity announced a call for applications from researchers and research teams within its Applied Research Initiatives Support Program. USAID plans to support Uzbekistan’s academic research community to conduct practical research in order to provide solutions to challenges faced by agribusinesses in Uzbekistan.

Applied research is a source of knowledge and innovation in agriculture. It helps discover new technologies, increase the productivity of farms, and improve food quality. In Uzbekistan, farmers and businesses often lack the support of the research community and access to innovative solutions. Through the establishment of partnerships between academic research institutions and local agribusinesses, USAID will support local farmers and businesses to use proven successful technologies to become competitive.

The USAID Agribusiness Development activity seeks applications from qualified applicants to conduct research and produce research papers for publication in academic journals. Proposals can include curriculum-related themes for Uzbek educational institutions, and potential practices that can be applied to agribusinesses. The project will fund applications up to 30 million soums. Qualified and eligible female researchers and research teams are encouraged to submit applications in response to this call for applications.

The deadline for the submission of applications is April 1, 2022.

This initiative is supported by USAID’s five-year Agribusiness Development activity, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, that supports private sector-led growth in Uzbekistan’s agriculture sector by introducing new value-added technologies and management practices across the entire value chain for targeted agricultural commodities. These efforts are focused on increasing value-added production within Uzbekistan, engaging women and youth, linking educational institutions with private sector demand, and promoting favorable policies for agriculture.