Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and David Hoffman, USAID Mission Director in Uzbekistan participated in the opening ceremony of a new fertilizer production plant established by Ifoda Agro Kimyo Himoya LLC. Ifoda, a leading fertilizer producer in Uzbekistan and a recipient of USAID’s Fertilizer Development Fund co-investment, has become the first private company in the country to produce granulated organomineral fertilizer.

In 2022, USAID announced a US$2 million commitment to bolster regional food security by supporting Uzbekistan’s farmers and fertilizer producers. This initiative aims to protect vulnerable populations from the escalating global food crisis by enhancing the quantity and quality of fertilizer production in the country. As part of this effort, USAID launched the Fertilizer Development Fund, which provided Ifoda with fertilizer production equipment valued at US$460,000. The company co-invested an additional US$1 million in construction and equipment.

“Given the rising costs of fertilizers and their impact on global food prices, it is essential to ensure their affordability and availability of farmers. This modern fertilizer production plant, supported by USAID, will enable Uzbek producers to boost production, improve quality, and enhance export potential. We at USAID are proud to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of Uzbekistan in their ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity and to advance President Mirziyoyev’s vision of achieving self-sufficiency in Uzbekistan,” stated USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur.

“In addition to enhancing Ifoda’s production capabilities, we are also committed to improving farmers’ knowledge and awareness regarding the effective use of fertilizers. In 2019 Ifoda established a stationary soil testing laboratory to assist farmers in determining the exact types and quantities of fertilizer needed to optimize crop yields. In order to serve more farmers, improve soil testing services, and increase sales of fertilizer products, Ifoda partnered with USAID to co-finance investments in mobile soil testing equipment,” added USAID Mission Director David Hoffman.

“It has been 27 years since the establishment of Ifoda Agro Kimyo Himoya LLC. During this period of time the company has made a significant contribution to the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan.  We do not only supply farmers with plant protection products and fertilizers, but we also regularly provide agricultural extension services.  Currently, we have two production plants, where we produce liquid, powder and granular fertilizers with an annual production capacity of 130,000 metric tons.  For the past 4 years we have been exporting our products to neighboring CIS countries, Turkiye and the EU.  The launch of our third organomineral fertilizers production plant, equipped with the support of USAID, will double our annual production capacity, enable us to reach more farmers with affordable and high quality products, as well as reach new export markets”, says Kodirbek Mirzamahmudov, Director General of Ifoda Agro Kimyo Himoya LLC.