| Sumario: | Uzbekistan’s agri-food sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by structural reforms, growing water scarcity, and the need to build climate resilience across farms of all sizes. Some progress has been made in introducing water-saving irrigation technologies, digital agriculture tools, improved seed systems, mechanization solutions, and cluster-based value chains. These initiatives demonstrate strong potential, yet their scale and impact remain uneven. Fragmented policy implementation, overlapping institutional mandates, and weak coordination between ministries and agencies continue to limit the nationwide adoption of innovative technologies.
Scaling effective solutions requires more than the introduction of new practices or tools. It depends on a clear understanding of which innovations work, in which agro-ecological and socio-economic contexts, and what policy or market conditions enable their uptake. Applied policy research is therefore essential for identifying scaling pathways, diagnosing bottlenecks, and quantifying the expected and actual effects of reforms and programs. Without this evidence, policy decisions risk being disconnected from on-the-ground realities and may fail to generate the intended outcomes.
This workshop brought together policymakers, researchers, and development partners to strengthen the role of applied policy research in scaling agri-food innovations in Uzbekistan. Discussions emphasized the importance of embedding dynamic Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Impact Assessment (MELIA) systems into policy and program cycles to enable adaptive decision-making, accountability, and timely course correction. Embedding dynamic evaluation and adaptive MELIA into policymaking processes strengthens the evidence base. A system that continuously generates, verifies, and updates information allows government institutions to adjust policies and correct implementation gaps. Such an adaptive MELIA approach is critical for maintaining the relevance of scaling strategies in the face of climate variability, resource constraints, and rapidly evolving market conditions.
Key messages emerging from the workshop include: (i) the need for harmonized and accessible data systems across value chains; (ii) systematic use of feasibility and socio-economic analysis before scaling innovations; (iii) stronger coordination of institutional roles and mandates; and (iv) targeted capacity development for both institutions and farmers. Participants also highlighted the importance of equity and inclusion, ensuring that women, youth, small farms, and vulnerable groups benefit from innovation scaling.
The workshop concluded with agreement on priority areas for joint applied policy research and a forward agenda for 2026 and beyond. These priorities include strengthening data quality and harmonization, evaluating subsidy effectiveness, developing region-specific water-use methodologies, and institutionalizing MELIA as a core element of agricultural governance. Collectively, these actions aim to support evidence-informed policymaking and accelerate the scaling of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable innovations across Uzbekistan’s agri-food sector.
By combining applied policy research, adaptive MELIA, and stronger coordination across institutions, Uzbekistan can accelerate the scaling of agricultural innovations and deliver more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable outcomes for its agri-food sector.
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