| Finding value |
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| Wednesday, 24 December 2008 12:08 |
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Agriculture is the backbone of the economy of Uzbekistan and work in agriculture, one of the main sources of rural income. Fruit, vegetables and milk come to our tables mainly from small private farmers, the dekhan farmers. Dekhan farms are mostly household gardens that are part of the family farm and larger farms.
 Some statistics tell us that 60-70% of the vegetable production comes from these farmers while accounting for 90% of the livestock output. Dekhan plots effectively demonstrate the potential for high value crop production. In order to support private farmers and increase their know-how on the in-and-outs of setting-up a business, the ELS project has been active organizing series of training, roundtables and seminars. During the entire month of May 2008, trainers from the Indonesian Small Business Exporters Consortium have conducted hands on sessions for vegetable and fruit producing farmers on the establishment of cooperatives based on value chain in Kashkadarya, Karakalpakstan and Namangan region. Production management, market link strategy, standardization, labeling, brand image, certification, budgeting, financing and opportunity analysis were among topics. Best practices on fruit & vegetable trade and industry based on modern business and management practices were discussed during interactive sessions.
To keep update on what is happening in Uzbekistan today read the Economic Review, a periodical published by the Centre of Economic Research. More on the centre for Economic Research on: www.cer.uz The ELS project has promoted farmers’ enterprises since 2005 and at the same time financed rural and urban micro-credit schemes for improved access to credit. Today there are 10 farmers’ cooperatives operating in Namangan, Karakalpakstan ad Fergana that were set up with the help of the ELS project. |
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The training will conclude with an overview session on the findings and recommendations by the experts from Indonesia on the challenges and opportunities in using the cooperative model in Uzbekistan to create a truly entrepreneurial business. Representatives from the Centre of Economic Research, UNDP and others will take part in an overview session to share thoughts, exchange ideas and explore opportunities for cooperation.