Asian Development Bank approves loan to boost Uzbekistan livestock production

The Asian Development Bank approved a $60 million concessional loan to help livestock farmers in Uzbekistan improve productivity and manage water shortages.

This funding supports the Resilient Livestock Development Project, which aims to assist roughly 29,000 smallholder farmers across the Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Navoi, and Samarkand regions, as well as the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The project provides resources for farmers to grow fodder crops that can withstand salt and drought.

It also focuses on restoring watering points for animals, improving pasture management, and expanding veterinary services. To support women in the sector, the initiative includes specific training and assistance for fodder production. The project will also use artificial intelligence to monitor pasture conditions and a mobile app to provide farmers with weather risk warnings. The Uzbek government plans to address a meat shortage by expanding production between 2026 and 2028.

Officials intend to spend $463 million on livestock development to revive 103 inactive enterprises by restructuring their debts and providing breeding stock. Additionally, the state plans to import thousands of sheep and cattle from Mongolia, China, Europe, and Belarus to bolster domestic supply.