ICBA Launches Farmer Accelerator Program in Karakalpakstan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A farmer and agribusiness accelerator program has been launched in Karakalpakstan aimed at developing and commercializing agricultural value-added chains.

The relevant agreement was signed between the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) and the Agency for Innovative Development under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The document was signed by ICBA Director General Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi and Acting Director of the Agency for Innovative Development Dr. Asror Norov.

The program is being implemented with the support of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development under the project “Developing Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems in Degraded Areas of Karakalpakstan.” It represents a new phase of the project, focusing on the transition from supporting sustainable production to developing value chains, improving farmers’ commercial readiness, and expanding access to markets.

According to ICBA Director General Tarifa Alzaabi, the initiative reflects a shift toward practical mechanisms for developing agricultural value chains and creating economic opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses. Under the program, participants will be provided with technical and business knowledge necessary to scale climate-resilient crops.

She also noted that special attention is given to the participation of women and youth, and that the program aims to build more sustainable agricultural systems.

Acting Director of the Agency for Innovative Development Asror Norov stated that the cooperation combines innovation with the practical transformation of agriculture. According to him, the program will contribute to the modernization of the entire chain—from production and processing to market access—and will also create a training and acceleration platform for farmers and young specialists.

The program is designed to last three months and will involve 200 participants from Karakalpakstan, including farmers and agribusiness operators. It will include technical training, post-harvest management, agro-processing, branding, business planning, and development of market access.

The agreement also formalizes ICBA’s role as a scientific and technical partner supporting the development of sustainable agriculture and the economic resilience of rural regions in Uzbekistan.