In the lead-up to National Youth Day on June 30, Uzbekistan celebrated the achievements of young agricultural innovators at the final stage of the "Youth and Innovative Development of Agriculture" contest, held on June 14 at Tashkent State Agrarian University.
The contest, which drew more than 4,000 students (including 1,851 women) from 10 agricultural universities, aimed to recognize the contributions of young specialists in agriculture and find new solutions for adapting agricultural production to the challenges posed by climate change.
The Nukus branch of Samarkand State Veterinary Medicine, Animal Husbandry, and Biotechnology University clinched the first-place prize for their innovative sustainable plant pots. Their reward is a study tour to Europe to learn about sustainable agriculture practices.
Tashkent State Agrarian University took second place with their proposal for a smart veterinary hospital for households, earning them laptops. Third place went to the Andijan Institute of Agriculture and Agrotechnologies for their "Space Agro" platform, which provides advisory services on crop agrotechnological practices; they received tablets.
The awards ceremony was attended by notable figures including Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan Charlotte Adriaen, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Anas Qarman, and key Uzbek officials such as Minister of Agriculture Ibrohim Abdurakhmanov, Senator Malika Kadirxanova, and Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture Eshmirza Abdualimov.
Ambassador Adriaen encouraged Uzbek youth to engage in EU-funded programs like ERASMUS+ and HORIZON, which offer opportunities for study and research in Europe, focusing on global challenges such as climate change.
“More women in research can lead to better science, higher agriculture productivity, and increased access to nutritious food and incomes for families," Ambassador Adriaen highlighted the importance of gender diversity in research teams.
Qarman emphasized the critical role of youth in developing sustainable agricultural solutions in the face of climate change.
"The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, and the need for sustainable solutions is more pressing than ever. The role of youth in shaping the future of agriculture cannot be overstated. UNDP and the European Union are proud to support students dedicated to creating projects that adapt to climate change and preserve our precious resources. This contest brings fresh energy to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Uzbekistan, especially those related to gender equality, climate change, and poverty reduction."
The contest was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agency for Youth Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Association of Women in the Agricultural Sector, with support from the EU-funded project Supporting an Inclusive Transition to a Green Economy in the Agri-food Sector and Development of a Climate-smart Uzbek Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System (EU-AGRIN). This project is implemented by the UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture.
The European Union, a political and economic union of 27 countries, is committed to promoting sustainable development, democracy, and human rights worldwide. Through initiatives like this contest, the EU aims to support innovative and inclusive approaches to global challenges, ensuring that everyone can benefit from sustainable development.
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