Committee of Veterinary and Livestock Development under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Decree & Implementation: New System Enhancing Pasture Efficiency – What Role Does It Play in Solving Existing Issues?

The development of livestock is unimaginable without pastures. As our wise people said: “A camel fattened on fallow lands, sheep and lambs thrive on pastures.” However, in recent years, the use of pastures — the main feed source for livestock — has become problematic. At this crucial time, our Head of State issued the decree “On measures to introduce modern mechanisms for pasture protection and rational use” on January 30, which sparked hope among livestock farmers. This decree tasked us with increasing pasture efficiency and establishing a new management system.

But how are the newly implemented innovations contributing to solving current problems?
To shed light on these issues, "Xalq so‘zi" correspondent Said Rahmon spoke with the Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Development of Veterinary and Livestock, Fakhriddin Boboyev.

Pastures’ condition: challenges & scale
Pastures cover over 20 million hectares across Uzbekistan, but much of this land has degraded: soils are salinized, vegetation thinned, and some areas are completely barren. Causes include:

1. Overgrazing – As of early 2022, sheep and goats exceeded 23 million and cattle 13 million, double the capacity of pasture resources.

2. Climate change & drought – Dry periods reduce pasture yield by 2–3 times, resulting in feed shortages.

3. Poor management & lack of monitoring – Insufficient data and systematic approaches hinder addressing degradation.

Globally, the issue mirrors ours: nearly half of natural pastures face degradation, exacerbated by climate change, excessive grazing, and agricultural industrialization, especially in Central Asia.

Decree-driven Measures:

• A national commission was established to regulate pasture leasing to livestock farms — awarding long-term leases to those who used land sustainably before September 1, 2020.

• To combat opaque subleasing, we introduced direct online auction systems, ensuring fairness.

• A 2025–27 National Program was launched to rehabilitate degraded pastures.

• Regional Pasture Development Departments were set up with formal charters.

• Geobotanical research and digital mapping are now underway.

Rotational grazing & planning
We now require each farm to prepare a seasonal grazing plan based on livestock numbers and pasture conditions. Example: desert pastures are divided into spring (Feb 16–May 15), summer (May 16–Sep 30, 138 days), autumn (Oct 1–Dec 20), and winter (from Dec 21).

Innovative monitoring & feed strategies:

• Pastures are monitored via GPS, satellites, and digitized with cadastral maps.

• Remote pasture data: Of the 15,824.6 million hectares with usage rights, 8,180 million ha have been mapped; 6,582 million ha have boundaries marked; 5,571 million ha have digital maps. Completion is expected by the end of the year.

• Livestock numbers & breeds are being adjusted to match pasture capacity, with well-performing dairy and meat breeds introduced.

• Research is underway to develop resilient forage plant varieties.

Institutional support:
The Committee oversees both the Institute of Karakul Breeding and Desert Ecology (researching forage plants and pastoral productivity) and the Bukhara Forage Seed Center (producing seeds for cultivation). Together, they implement restoration projects planting species like saxaul, camphor saltbush, and more.

Collaborative mapping efforts:
Working with the National Aerogeodesy Center, we are finalizing pasture inventories. Over 8.18 million ha digitized; tasks to finish by year-end are in progress.

Local research case studies:

• In Farish (Jizzakh), surveys show Capparis spinosa populations destroyed by human activity; urgent conservation is needed.

• In Kyzylkum (Navoi), research confirms that drought and climate change are primary degradation causes; recommendations include artificial irrigation and planting drought-resistant species.

Recommendations:

• Manage grazing intensity responsibly and allow periodic rest.

• Rehabilitate degraded lands via drought-resistant plantings and irrigation.

• Develop climate adaptation strategies.

• Continue monitoring and research to guide restoration efforts.

Conclusion:
Pastures are a national treasure, but their sustainability depends on scientific, economic, and ecological frameworks. Combating degradation and improving pasture management are crucial for the stable development of Uzbekistan’s agriculture.

— “Xalq so‘zi,” Issue No. 115, June 7, 2025