Livestock Development Problems and Prospects in Uzbekistan

Livestock production contributes to a total gross output of agriculture in Uzbekistan, amounting to 426,264,0billion soums. The significance of this sector lies in its contribution to the income generation of rural inhabitants, thuspositioning the issues and potential growth opportunities at the forefront of agricultural policy in Uzbekistan. The area ofpastures managed by agricultural producers sharply decreased. Individual farmers and dekhkans feel the lack of fodderfor complete nutrition and production of dairy products. One of the factors hindering the development of dairy farmingis the small size of the main part of producers in this sector. Milk is mainly produced on private household plots and forpersonal consumption. Small producers do not have the opportunity to introduce advanced standarts of zootechnics,effectivelysell their products, as well as to purchase good fodder crops.State assistance in the realm of animal husbandry primarily manifests in the form of advantageous loans extended to livestockproduct producers and fiscal advantages granted to processors of such commodities. All over the country there areveterinary stations which provide vaccination, treatment and artificial inseminationof cattle to farms and dekhkan farms. Atthe same time, these procedures are often relatedto the need to incur additional costs for these activities. Artificial inseminationuses a small number of agricultural producers. This report reveals the current state, problems and prospects ofdairy farming development in Uzbekistan. Recommendations on improvement of the state policy in this sphere are given.