ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN UZBEKISTAN: Status, practices and prospects
ISBN 978-92-5-130147-0 ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN UZBEKISTAN: STATUS, PRACTICES AND PROSPECTS PRACTICES STATUS, IN UZBEKISTAN: AGRICULTURE ORGANIC
9 789251 301470 I8398EN/1/01.18
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN UZBEKISTAN: Status, practices and prospects
Aziz Nurbekov, Uygun Aksoy, Hafiz Muminjanov and Alisher Shukurov
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Tashkent, 2018 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO.
ISBN: 978-92-5-130147-0
© FAO, 2018
FAO encourages the use, reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Except where otherwise indicated, material may be copied, downloaded and printed for private study, research and teaching purposes, or for use in non-commercial products or services, provided that appropriate acknowledgment of FAO as the source and copyright holder is given and that FAO’s endorsement of users’ views, products or services is not implied in any way.
All requests for translation and adaptation rights, and for resale and other commercial use rights should be made via www.fao.org/contact-us/licencerequest or addressed to [email protected].
FAO information products are available on the FAO website (www.fao.org/publications) and can be purchased through [email protected].
Photos on the cover: Hotam Muhammadiev, Malokhat Shagaeva
Printed in Turkey Contents Preface...... ix Acknowledgements...... xi Abbreviations...... xiii Introduction...... xv Overview: Crop production...... xix Overview: Livestock production...... xxiii Chapter 1. General overview of world and Uzbekistan organic agriculture...... 1 Definitions, principles and basic concepts of organic agriculture...... 3 Overview of world organic agriculture...... 10 Organic agriculture in Uzbekistan...... 14 Chapter 2. Organic production methods and technologies...... 19 Site selection...... 21 Organic farming demonstration site...... 26 Soil fertility management...... 32 Crop rotation, cover crops and intercropping...... 33 Pest, disease and weed management methods...... 37 Post-harvest handling and quality ...... 42 Animal husbandry...... 52 Chapter 3. Marketing...... 59 Current situation on world markets for organic products...... 61 Supply chain in Uzbekistan...... 63 Chapter 4. Regulatory framework on organic food and farming ...... 69 International and national legislation on implementing rules, labelling and use of the logo...... 71 Draft law on organic agriculture in Uzbekistan ...... 78 Private standards on or accompanying organic products...... 82 Related Uzbekistan legislation...... 84 Chapter 5. Organic agriculture development conference...... 87 Chapter 6. Conclusion...... 91 Chapter 7. References...... 95 Chapter 8. Annexes...... 101 Annex 1. Vineyard management for organic grape production ...... 103 Annex 2. Organic wheat crop management ...... 105 Annex 3. Organic chickpea crop management...... 106
iii © FAO / Muslimbek Tulanov Figures 1. Basic principles of organic agriculture (IFOAM)...... 4 2. IFOAM organic guarantee system...... 8 3. Sustainable food and farming system...... 9 4. Growth of organic agricultural land 1999-2015...... 11 5. The top ten countries with the largest areas of organic agricultural land 2015, million ha...... 12 6. World Organic agricultural land (including in-conversion areas) and regions’ shares of the global organic agricultural land in 2015 ...... 12 7. Distribution of all organic areas in 2015...... 13 8. Irrigated, rain-fed, rangeland and hayfields in Uzbekistan...... 16 9. Organic raisin, dried plum and dried apricot production in Uzbekistan (2016)...... 17 10. Organic almond and pistachio produced in Uzbekistan according to the EU logo (leaf on green background) sold in the European market...... 18 11. Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) shrub in project demo site in Qamashi district...... 22 12. Crataegus (Crataegus rhipidophylla) in Qamashi district ...... 23 13. Prepared animal manure ready for application...... 25 14. Bermuda grass field...... 26 15. Seedlings of wild apple tree Malus sieversii (L, db)...... 28 16. Seedling section of wild apricot Prunus armeniaca...... 28 17. Organically grown peach in Uzbekistan...... 30 18. Organic orchard farm in demo site in Qamashi district...... 30 19. Grape produced under organic farming ...... 31 20. Organic raisin in Uzbekistan...... 31 21. Possible crop rotation for organic agriculture in rain-fed conditions of Uzbekistan ...... 34 22. Chickpea grown in rain-fed areas ...... 34 23. Organic chickpea field in the project demo site in Qashqadaryo province where fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide were not applied...... 35 24. Effect of crop rotation on number of weeds...... 37 25. Effect of crop rotation on the number of wheat infections and wheat yields...... 38 26. Wheat yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici) ...... 39 27. Take-all Gaeumannomyces graminis (Sacc.)...... 40
v Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
28. Eyespot, Foot Rot Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides...... 40 29. “Plastic Bottle” method, filling water into the bottle to maintain higher humidity in the storage atmosphere to prevent moisture loss from grapes ...... 48 30. “Plastic Bottle” method...... 49 31. Storing pomegranate fruit in boxes...... 50 32. Good quality organic walnut is ready for market...... 51 33. Storing garlic in local facilities...... 52 34. The total retail sales in World’s largest markets for organic products, billion Euros...... 62 35. The current organic value chain established by private companies in Uzbekistan ...... 66 36. Production and certification process according to the standards required for organic products to be sold at the domestic and/or international markets ...... 67 37. Inspection and certification of organic operators and accreditation and authorization of inspection and certification bodies proposed for Uzbekistan...... 75
vi Tables 1. Trends on area and productivity for selected crops in Uzbekistan, 1991-2016...... xx 2. Examples of pesticides, food additives, ingredients or processing aids allowed in organic plant and animal production according to the Russian Interstate (GOST 33980-2016) and European Union (EC 889/2008) regulations...... 44 3. A sample matrix for risk factors in an organic production value chain (Original)...... 47 4. The indoor and outdoor areas permitted for some animal species in the European Union organic farming ...... 56 5. The area required for different animal species in the European Union regulation on organic production (EC889/2008)...... 57 6. Limitations in equivalency between organic agriculture of the USA and the EU...... 75 7. A year around time frame of the organic grape production activities including agronomic practices, diseases and pest control...... 103 8. A pattern of recommended models for organic winter wheat on rain-fed areas ...... 105 9. Recommended models for organic chickpea on rain-fed areas in Uzbekistan ...... 106
vii © FAO / Malokhat Shagaeva Preface
griculture is one of the (GAP) in Uzbekistan” in close foremost and largest sectors cooperation with the UN Food and in Uzbekistan contributing Agriculture Organization (FAO). Ato the national economy. Its diverse topography reveals the most The project outputs are already favorable regions for growing various contributing to strengthening agricultural as well as industrial national capabilities in OA and crops. Sustainable agriculture systems other quality assurance systems provide a basis for conservation and in Uzbekistan as the drafted Law sustainable use of natural resources on organic agriculture, strategic and for environment and food development documents, developed security and safety. Due to rapid training manuals based on guidelines intensification of practices, there suited to local conditions, conducted is increasing concern worldwide training sessions and demonstrations among consumers about inputs used, for farmers, researchers, program the environmental impact of agri- managers and technicians and food production and social welfare. study tours abroad. The book on Quality standards developed due “Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: to globalized markets are not solely Status, practices and prospects” based on the final product but also is prepared as an outcome of the target the inspection of the whole project to multiply the knowledge chain including inputs and methods accumulated through the project to used. Agri-food quality systems all stakeholders. are governed by both official sets of standards as well as private standards The expected long-term impact of the required by respective sectors. project is improved rural livelihoods and food security through increased The Ministry of Agriculture and sustainability, productivity and Water Resources carried out the market access of high-value crops noteworthy measures on development through strengthened institutional of organic agriculture (OA) in capacity and principles and practices Uzbekistan within the framework of sustainable farming systems of the project TCP/ UZB/3501 namely GAP and OA. It is expected “Institutional capacity building to that sustainable management develop organic agriculture and to techniques and measures will be promote good agriculture practices sufficiently validated by a core
ix Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
group of farmers and an expanded develop organic agriculture and to program be prepared for farmers promote good agriculture practices of other districts. The outputs in Uzbekistan” to provide guidance will also contribute further in to the stakeholders. This book achieving sustainable land, water and brings together the status of organic biodiversity management, increasing agriculture in Uzbekistan including, the potential for high-va-lue crops market, legal standards, methods, and traceability through the value experiences and useful methods chain and developing trade by and basic information that can be harmonizing national legislation with of immediate use for identifying international rules and regulations. problems and for formulating, executing and evaluating actions so Samarkand, Tashkent and as to benefit and improve organic Qashqadaryo regions are selected production. The publication can also as the pilot areas of the project. serve as a reference that will allow Uzbekistan is at a very early researchers, specialists and farmers to stage of development of organic discover jointly, ways to adopt organic production system where the agriculture practices and solve the national stakeholders have very little problems and the limitations created experience in organic production. by traditional agriculture. This book Organic agriculture combines is meant for researchers, agricultural traditional farming methods, specialists, extension personnel as innovative technologies and modern well as farmers, and deals with the scientific and technical achievements management and conservation of that are beneficial to the environment agricultural land. It is hoped that the and ensure their favorable book will help to attain the ultimate development. objective of increasing quality of agricultural products and improving This book was prepared under the productivity of the soils and water the framework of TCP/UZB/3501 in a rapid, efficient and sustainable “Institutional capacity building to manner.
x Acknowledgments
s per the approved work Mr. Furqat Ibragimov (FAO plan of the TCP/UZB/3501 office in Uzbekistan) and Mr. “Institutional capacity Jamshid Kudratillaev are gratefully Abuilding to develop organic acknowledged. agriculture and to promote good agriculture practices in Uzbekistan”, Special thanks go to FAO staff in this book entitled “Organic the Subregional Office for Central agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, Asia, Development Law Service prospects and practices” has been and FAO office in Uzbekistan for prepared. providing continues support to the implementation of the project and Strong technical cooperation of preparation of this book. The role the Ministry of Agriculture and of FAO international consultants Water Resources of the Republic Prof. Dr. Uygun Aksoy, Ms. Raushan of Uzbekistan and FAO for Zhazykbayeva, Prof. Dr. Ismet Boz implementation of the project are and Mr. Levent Yildiz is significant to highly appreciated. This book has successfully achieving project outputs. been prepared using results of the project as well as experiences Strong support provided by of many national consultants of the Government authorities the project. Thanks are due to of Uzbekistan, particularly the Mr. Anvar Jumanov, Mr. Oybek Department of Agriculture and Water Soatov, Dr. Alisher Saydaliev, Economy Standardization at the Mr. Abdurazak Khujabekov, Ministry of Agriculture and Water Mr. Aziz Rasulov, Mr. Shukhrat Resources the driving force behind Khaydarov and Mr. Makhsed the success of this book. Bauetdinov for providing information on application of Finally, the authors are grateful to organic agriculture, standards, all government officials, farmers regulation, market and methods and private companies involved in Uzbekistan. In addition, the in this project for their active and excellent cooperation received sincere participation and provided from Ms. Shakhzoda Alikhanova, information for the book.
xi © FAO / Malokhat Shageva Abbreviations
AQIS Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service ALARA As Low As Reasonably Achievable C Carbon
CO2 Carbon dioxide ESCR Tropical and Horticultural Products Service EU European Union FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN FAOSEC Subregional office for Central Asia of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations FIBL Forschungs Institut für biologischen Landbau FLO Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International GAP Good Agricultural Practices GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade GDP Gross Domestic Product GMBH Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) is a type of legal entity very common in Germany (where it was created in 1892), Austria (adopted in 1906; legal abbreviations are GmbH, GesmbH, Ges.m.b.H.), Switzerland, and other Central European countries
GMO Genetically Modified Organisms IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IFOAM International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements ISO International Standard Organization JV Joint Venture LMIC Lower-middle-income country MAP Мodified atmosphere packing masl meters above sea level MAWR Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources MFN Most Favored Nation MLAs Multilateral Recognition mm millimeter MRAs Mutual Recognition Arrangements
xiii Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
MT metric tons N Nitrogen NGO None Governmental Organization NOP National Organic Program O’z DSt Uzbek State Standard OA Organic Agriculture OFPA Organic Foods Production Act SAI Social Accountability International SNAS Slovak National Accreditation Service t/ha ton per hectare TBT Technical Barriers to Trade TCP Technical Cooperation Program ‘000/ha thousand per hectare TURKAK Türkiye Akreditasyon Kurumu (Turkish Accreditation Agency) UN United Nations UOA Uzbekistan Organic Association USA United States of America USD United States Dollars USDA United States Department of Agriculture UZB Uzbekistan WHO World Health Organization WTO World Trade Organization
xiv Introduction
zbekistan is located between with per capita gross national income longitude 64°E and latitude rising to US$2 160 in 2015 (World 41°N and bordered by Bank, 2015). On the other hand, UKazakhstan in the west and north; lower global commodity prices Afghanistan and Turkmenistan in the and economic slowdowns in its south, and Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan neighboring countries – the Russian in the east. Uzbekistan has a total Federation and China – have area of 44.8 million hectares (ha). undermined its trade and investment, About 4.5 million hectare is arable, remittances, and mineral and energy of which 4 million hectares under exports. Inflation rose to over 9 irrigation. Agriculture plays a major percent in 2015 (World Bank, 2015). role in the economy, employing 44% from a total population of 33 The main crop grown in Uzbekistan million, with 1.7% annual growth is cotton, followed by wheat, barley, rate, contributing 18% to the GDP rice, maize, potato, vegetables, and and providing employment for some fruits. However, cotton and winter 15 million people, many of whom wheat occupies 80% of the total are underemployed. Uzbekistan has irrigated area. During the first six extreme continental type climate, years of independence, the area with hot dry summers, unstable under cotton was reduced from weather in winter, and a wide 2.0 to 1.4 million ha, and mainly variation in seasonal and daily replaced by wheat. In order to attain temperatures. The desert and steppes food security, wheat became the are characterized by short winters second important crop to cotton; with thin and unstable snow cover, the area under irrigation increased and hot dry dusty summers The substantially, currently reaching mountains (over 600 masl) have high over 1.4 million ha, including rain- rainfall (up to 800 mm per year). fed production. The increase in cultivated areas stimulated the use of Uzbekistan’s economy has been one of modern production techniques such the world’s best performers in recent as improved varieties, certified seed years, with economic growth driven and better agronomic management primarily by state-led investments, practices. The average wheat yield is and exports of natural gas, gold and 5.5 t/ha, almost three times higher in cotton. Uzbekistan is now a lower- 2016 than in 1992. Annual average middle-income country (LMIC), wheat grain production has reached
xv Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
8 million tons, and the country is now Between 2016-2020 about 170 000 self-sufficient in grain production. ha of cotton and about 50 000 ha of wheat will be diversified towards In 1996, the Government of cultivating potatoes, vegetables, Uzbekistan adopted an agricultural intensive orchards, fodder, oil and development policy (Resolution of other crops. Since 2010, more the Cabinet of Ministers No. 157) than 42,000 ha of new intensive to achieving food security and fruit orchards are established. The economic development. The policy value of fruit and vegetable exports enabled rapid economic growth in now represents over 50 percent of the agricultural sector, particularly agricultural export earnings. Farm in the development and adoption incomes, and the productivity of land, of modern wheat and cotton water and personnel employed have varieties. In view of the increasing all improved as a result. population, further advances are required in agricultural research to As already mentioned above, achieve increased production and Uzbekistan has progressed well in productivity. There has been a recent agriculture and has attained not surge in investment in intensive only food self-sufficiency but also horticultural production of both fruit a big potential for export of many and vegetables. The latest agricultural agricultural products including policies, in Uzbekistan, aimed at vegetables, fruit and wheat. promotion of crop diversification and Uzbekistan’s diverse topography environment friendly production reveals the most favorable regions systems offering high quality products for growing various agricultural as with better access to the markets. well as industrial crops. However, In this regard, development of there are significant environmental organic agriculture is accepted as problems based on issues such as promising direction for improving increased wind and water erosion, competitiveness of domestic products downstream sedimentation and and the development of export losses in water quality, biodiversity, potential. The Government has set and habitat loss. The Government out a longer-term strategy to diversify of Uzbekistan has acknowledged and intensify crop production in the the extent of the country’s country with the Presidential Decree environmental problems; thus, its “Measures for agricultural reform principal objective is to enhance and promotion from 2016 to 2020” the agricultural sector without No. 2460 dated 29 December 2015. exhausting natural resources while
xvi tackling structural constraints as to the markets. Moreover, the part of the strategy for economic development of organic agriculture development. In this regard, one (OA) and promotion of good of the potential areas to contribute agricultural practices (GAP) are to this target is the promotion of recognized as promising paths environment-friendly sustainable towards improving competitiveness production systems offering high- of domestic products and the quality products with better access development of export potential. © FAO / Muslimbek Tulanov / Muslimbek © FAO xvii © FAO / Malokhat Shagaeva Overview: Crop production
fter achieving independence, Uzbekistan, the area under irrigated Uzbekistan laid major winter wheat has increased to ensure emphasis on agricultural national food security, so that the Agrowth and efforts towards former, long-cycle cropping system developing its own market economy. cotton-alfalfa was largely replaced During this transition, large by shorter crop rotation of spring inefficient “shirkat” (company) farms sown cotton and and winter wheat. are disintegrated and a number As a result, the cereal production in of small private farms have been Uzbekistan during the last decade established. Therefore, high input has increased almost 20 times, with use technologies will not be suitable the main increase attributed to for these small farms. It is right wheat production. In Uzbekistan, time to look for an appropriate the wheat production has increased and realistic strategy to enhance by more than 600 percent reaching cropping intensity and achieve around 8.1 metric tons (MT). On the diversification in agriculture. For other hand, cotton production went development of this new type of down to about 21% due to decreased farms, there are constraints associated planting area (Table 1). Fruit and with limited potential and abilities vegetables are also becoming in cropping, tillage methods, soil important in some regions as private fertility improvement, on-farm water markets expand. The absence of management and high product alfalfa in present crop rotations has quality. There is an urgent need to diminished humus and considerable pilot changes in agricultural practices micronutrients’ levels in the soil. It in order to improve agricultural has also reduced the soil structure production in the irrigated areas of benefits derived from alfalfa’s root Uzbekistan. system. Crop rotation with fodder legumes or pulses is extremely Crop production in Uzbekistan is important for soil health and significantly on irrigated and only to management of plant diseases. some extent on rain-fed agriculture. Wheat and cotton are the most Most of the achievements in cotton important agricultural crops in the and wheat production are based on irrigated areas. Cotton and wheat high input use technologies including are grown either continuously or water, seed, fertilizers, pesticides, in crop rotation, consecutively. In etc., which are not sustainable on a
xix Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Table 1. Trends on area and productivity for selected crops in Uzbekistan, 1991-2016
Wheat Cotton Fruits Intensive orchards Vegetables Year Area, Yield Area, Yield, Area, Yield, Area, Yield, Area, Yield, ‘000 ha t/ha ‘000 ha t/ha ‘000 ha t/ha ‘000 ha t/ha ‘000 ha t/ha
1991 226.0 1.71 1 720.5 2.72 50.0 15.8 0 0 165.6 18.8
2000 1 027.8 2.76 1 444.5 2.18 139.0 5.1 0 0 34.8 18.3
2010 1 155.6 4.89 1 450.3 2.54 180.2 9.5 10.1 15.32 172.9 25.6
2015 1 145 5.81 1 444.5 2.18 261.9 12.4 36.9 21.41 194.0 30.2
2016 1 135 5.92 1 423.1 2.61 266.9 11.8 40.5 24.24 205.4 27.1
Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Uzbekistan, 2016
long-term basis. Now land is being rotation by planting winter wheat privatized and holdings are getting in standing cotton using minimum smaller. Therefore, high input use tillage equipment could spare land technologies will not be suitable for growing other crops especially for all of these small farms. It is the legumes such as chickpea, lentil, field right time to look for an appropriate pea for food or alfalfa for fodder. and realistic strategy by which the cropping intensity could be enhanced Timely policy support is critical for and diversification achieved. The any breakthrough in agriculture Qashqadaryo province was selected as through adoption of any appropriate a pilot site in the project to promote technology. Farmers need adequate sustainable practices through organic support for seeds or other propagation agriculture and diversify production materials of new crops and inputs with high value crops because (like fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) for agricultural input of the province crop diversification. Furthermore, makes slightly more than 10 percent there should be appropriate pricing of the Uzbekistan’s total agricultural support and procurement policy production. Technologies which are for these crops. Farmers also need sustainable and effective using low/ credit for buying various inputs and optimal level of inputs could help in machinery, which should be available saving seed, water, fertilizers, etc. and to them at affordable low interest rates reducing production cost. In addition through rural banks. Multiplication to these, by adoption of cotton-wheat of prototypes of less costly machinery
xx and implements in another area sprinkler, drip and plastic mulching of requires Government support. As furrows in cotton or wheat are urgently an example, raised bed planters and needed in the national interest. no-till drills, flame weeders or similar Promotion of these technologies tools have to be manufactured and would require appropriate subsidies popularized. Their import is a costly and Government intervention, beside affair and hence promoting their on-going efforts on land privatization, manufacture in Uzbekistan is critical. crop diversification and capital Similarly, policy support for use of investment in agriculture for linking water saving technologies such as farmers to markets. © FAO / Komil Yakubov Yakubov / Komil © FAO xxi © FAO / Malohat Shagaeva Overview: Livestock production
zbekistan experienced in the 1990s reduced the global a dramatic decline in livestock products’ consumption rate livestock flocks including from 2% to 1%. Uproduction following collapse of the former Soviet Union. Destruction Livestock production in Uzbekistan of state supported input supply is distinguished by its richness chains, farm restructuring, lack and variety. Each animal type is of state subsidizing, and high characteristically distributed in its inflation rate all contributed to own agro-ecological zone. Dairy cattle this downward trend. Increased is mainly raised in irrigated croplands number of smallholder flocks and near industrial centers; beef cattle – the lack of self-organization led to in mountain zone pasture areas. the breakdown of the transhumance Karakul sheep production systems system, while households that could are mainly in deserts; meat-wool not manage their herds and afford and ram production systems and the winter fodder eventually lost their horse husbandry are concentrated animals. With independence, farmers in mountain zones of the Ferghana who were before workers became valley, while poultry production managers responsible for all activities industries are near cities and and decisions of their own farm as industrial centers (Makhmudov, 2017; well as disease control of animals, personal information provided by the winter fodder and access to markets Uzbek Research Institute of Karakul (Hughes et al., 2011). Sheep Breeding and Ecology of Deserts). Livestock are crucial for the During the progressive privatization, livelihoods of resource poor people in large state farms and cooperative these production systems, as they are holdings were distributed among usually one of the limited assets they small unproductive households, in have. In grassland-based systems, most cases consisting of a handful farmers keep ruminant livestock of animals (FAO, 2007). This led to a to produce meat and milk for decline in livestock productivity and consumption and sale (FAO, 2004). stagnation of livestock production, as many traditional products no longer Area of rangelands of Uzbekistan had a reliable market (IFAD, 1999). accounts for about 50% of its FAO (2006) report indicates that the territory and serves as the main slump in the transition countries source of forage for livestock.
xxiii Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Presently, the total grazing land is expected to have major implications 23 800 000 ha, including almost for the seed supply chain, pasture 17 million ha of Karakul desert management and etc. pasture areas. Pastures in highlands elevation zones are divided as Fodder is grown in irrigated areas follows: rain-fed foothill plains for dairy stock. Dairy rations are (Adyr) comprise 2 850 000 ha, and composed of maize as silage, alfalfa for mountainous pastures 680 000 hay and green feed; roots and grain ha (The State Committee of the legume crops (Pisum sativa, Glycine Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics, hispida, or Vicia sativa) as catch 2015).The grassland-based livestock crops used in double cropping. The production systems of Uzbekistan required bulk fodder is provided by use rangelands that are only straw and other residues of cereals as suitable for grazing since rainfall well as coarse and rich fodder (barley, is inadequate for sustainable rain- brassica, oats, triticale and, in summer, fed crop production (FAO, 2007). sorghum) grown after harvesting Effective use of pasture is the basis cereals. Alfalfa is a fodder crop of very for maintaining and supporting the ancient cultivation dating back at least natural potential of arid grazing, 2 500 years, and Uzbekistan is part of ensuring diversity of forages, and its area of domestication. raising their productivity. Although intensive cultivation The role of state bodies includes techniques were developed for alfalfa organization and investment policy for making hay, maize for silage and aimed at systematic reconstruction beet for fodder, current productivity and phyto-reclamation of lands in irrigated areas is limited due to with low productivity, maintenance the use of old varieties, absence of and repair of water resources, and an organized seed supply chain, and guaranteed water supply systems. often poor agronomic practices. The With varying degree of success in cultivation of alfalfa has diminished accomplishing these objectives, drastically due to change in crop privatization process of pastures rotations where it was once used. The through auctions has started very estimated cultivation of forage crops recently. In addition, a new Law on irrigated lands represents around on Pasture Management, which is 320 000 ha with maize (67%) and currently under consideration, is alfalfa (25%) being predominant.
xxiv Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: General overview of world and Status, practices and prospects Uzbekistan organic agriculture 1 © FAO / Malokhat Shagaeva © FAO General overview of world and 1 Uzbekistan organic agriculture
Organic production 2 methods and technologies
3 Marketing
Regulatory framework on 4 organic food and farming
The Declaration of the International 5 Conference on Development of Organic Agriculture in Central Asia, Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 22-24 August 2017
6 Conclusion
7 References
8 Annexes Chapter I: General overview of world and Uzbekistan organic agriculture
Definitions, principles and basic concepts of organic agriculture
rganic agriculture started having an official national standard, as a movement in early which regulate the production and 20th century mainly by the market (Willer and Lernoud, Opractitioners to overcome problems 2017). Among these 88 countries, arising from intensification. After there are relatively few reciprocal 1980s, standards and nationally equivalencies between countries established systems were introduced (especially regarding major markets in most of the developed countries. as USA, EU, Canada, Japan, or The main reason of setting standards South Korea) based upon bilateral was due to enlarging European agreements. In all other cases, especially German market and products must be certified according organic product flows from all to the rules of the importing country over the world because of the in order to have access to the strong demand. Standards aimed international market. The leading at “facilitating trade” by providing international or national standards a common language between the may define organic agriculture producer and the distant importer from different perspectives and may and at protecting consumers from have minor differences, however misuse of the term “organic”. As of in all cases they base on common 2017, there are about 88 countries principles (Figure 1).
IFOAM has combined common basic principles under 4 key words as health, ecology, fairness and care in 2015. Principles of Organic Agriculture are as follows: 1. Health: Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible. 2. Ecology: Organic Agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them. 3. Fairness: Organic Agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to common environment and life opportunities. 4. Care: Organic Agriculture should be managed in precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment.
3 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Healthy soil, plants, Emulating and Equity, respect and For the geneations animals, humans sustaining natural justice for all living to come = healthy planet systems things
Figure 1. Basic principles of organic agriculture (IFOAM)
International Federation of Organic shared environment and promote fair Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) is relationships and a good quality of life the umbrella organization established for all involved” (www.ifoam.bio). in 1972 to unite the organic movement at world wide level. In 1970s and 1980s, there were few national and state legislations as The first basic guidelines, which France and California and Oregon were later developed into basic in the USA, however the major standards was prepared by IFOAM. impact came with the European IFOAM’s definition of organic Union Commission regulation agriculture embraces human and from the European Union, first social aspects and quotes that for plant based products in 1991 “organic agriculture is a production (EEC 20 C 1235/2008 92/91) and system that sustains the health then production methods of animal of soils, ecosystems and people. products was added in 1999. It had It relies on ecological processes, a multiplier effect on developing biodiversity and cycles adapted to countries to develop their national local conditions rather than the use of organic systems since this regulation inputs with adverse effects. Organic obliged countries exporting to the agriculture combines tradition, EU to prepare their own legislation, innovation, science to benefit the which was later postponed and finally
4 Chapter I: General overview of world and Uzbekistan organic agriculture
removed. In due time, the scope of responsible for developing national the regulation was widened. The standards for organically-produced latest major changes for the basis and agricultural products. All products implementing regulations occurred sold, labeled, or presented in the in EC 834/2007 (Basic requirements), United States as “organic” must comply EC 889/2008 (implementing with the USDA’s NOP. The NOP regulation), E (import requirements also accredits third party certifying to the EU) and then on the use of EU agents (foreign and domestic) logo in 2010. to inspect and evaluate organic production and handling operations Codex Alimentarius, a joint initiative and certify businesses that meet the of the Food and Agriculture National Organic Standards. Once Organization (FAO) and the World a certification body is accredited Health Organization (WHO) according to NOP, they can carry out approved the Codex on organic inspection and certification in any production on 28 June 1999 that country all over the world. Producers sanctions international guidelines may become certified organic through to cultivate, process, market, and any accredited certifier (www. label organic foods. Codex states ams.usda.gov/nop). In the EU, the that “Organic agriculture is a holistic authorization is given to control bodies production management system only if they are ISO 17065 accredited which promotes and enhances agroecosystem health, including and authorization specifies the country biodiversity, biological cycles, and and content (e.g. plant production & soil biological activity. It emphasizes processing or livestock etc.). the use of management practices in preference to the use of off- Organic agriculture can be defined as farm inputs, taking into account “a production system that sustains the that regional conditions require health of soils, ecosystems and people. locally adapted systems” (www. It relies on ecological processes, codexalimentarius.org). biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use The National Organic Program (NOP) of inputs with adverse effects. Organic of the United States is a regulatory agriculture combines tradition, program housed within the United innovation and science to benefit the States Department of Agriculture shared environment and promote fair (USDA) Agricultural Marketing relationships and a good quality of life Service. Within the USDA, they are for all involved” (Dittrich, 2010).
5 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
As could be seen in the above on same basic principles. Organic examples of definitions, solutions agriculture theory and practice for organic agriculture needs to should be built on these principles. be designed according to the local conditions by implementing allowed The common approach of organic methods and inputs considering agriculture – ban or severe restriction both the ecosystem functions and for use of pesticides and chemical socio-economic circumstances. The inputs including herbicides, benefits provided are not limited to fungicides etc., and relying on crop clean environment and safe food, diversifications, nature protection – but organic management also allows have probably been practiced in stewardship of natural resources for traditional forms for centuries. All the current and future generations. above mentioned practices were The core focus in definitions of replaced, during the first half of the organic agriculture may shift from 20th century, with the beginning a more technical approach as in the of engine-powered tractors and US to a more ecosystem management synthetic farming chemicals. Some, based and holistic one as in the however, remained critical of the Codex. Despite the differences in the trend and potentially harmful effects standards valid at national and/or of such chemicals on food and the international levels and the enclosed environment. Organic agriculture definitions/approaches, they rely implies considerable restriction of
General approaches and concepts in organic production can be summarized as follows:
Ensuring that organic plots are managed according to the valid standards, their conformity is inspected by independent parties and if appropriate then certified; Use production technologies that prevent or minimize environmental pollution and ban use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation and sewage sludge; Utilize and recycle wastes as well as plant and animal based by-products; Prevent mixing or intermingling of pesticides and agrochemicals in the territories where organic products are produced, stored and transported; Ensure preservation and improving long-term soil fertility; Provide healthy environment for livestock and use feeding strategies suitable to their natural behavior; Whenever possible use minimum processing and shorter marketing channels.
6 Chapter I: General overview of world and Uzbekistan organic agriculture
mineral fertilizer use, chemical agents use of commercial fertilizers and to control pests, disease and weeds, pesticides increased, significantly. antibiotics or growth regulators as The application of the mentioned well as processing aids and cleaning chemicals had positive effect with agents, which have a negative effect increasing crop productivity. on the environment or residues of The pioneers of the early organic which may accumulate in agricultural movement started looking into new, products. Organic agriculture has alternative ways to heal problems of restrictions for natural inputs, as well. soil depletion, low food quality, and It restricts the application of manure, livestock feed, which was followed even if it is an organic material, to a by the rural poverty, erosion and certain level (mostly at 170 kg N/ ha) decline of crop varieties, to name a to overcome leaching of excess few. After analyzing the ecological nitrogen. Some plant extracts are not cycles and relationships in nature, allowed either since they may also they started mimicking in agricultural kill the beneficial insects. Organic management. IFOAM identified agriculture conserves the natural this phase as Organic 1.0. The goal foundations of life, natural processes of organic farming is to reconnect and obtaining organic products is a people with nature, finding a promising form of management in sustainable method or producing the agricultural sector, especially in agricultural and food products the farming enterprises and dekhkan while nurturing the ecosystem and farms and other small farms. biodiversity. The history of organic agriculture represents the journey The history of agriculture dates towards that goal. back more than 12 000 years but organic agriculture started in the The second phase (Organic 2.0) previous century. Time span for started in the 1972 and was defined organic agriculture can be measured by codifying organic agricultural almost as 100 years. The first phase systems / certification systems along of organic agriculture started during with government regulations as the beginning of 20th century farmers well as the development of organic produced food using natural means, technology and organic market. controlling pests naturally and IFOAM established in 1972 by feeding the soil using traditional several grassroots organizations farming practices that conserved who were working on different and regenerated the land. Starting aspects of agriculture to decrease from 1950s of the 20th century, the chemical use, an international
7 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
umbrella organization for the legislation mainly for the export movement, nowadays, became market and certified according to the the unique umbrella with over rules of the importing country. Such 750 member organizations in 108 a composite certification system countries. Its goal is the worldwide creates a very complex web that leads adoption of ecologically, socially to increased cost of certification. and economically sound systems Previous efforts of harmonizing based on the principles of organic major standards was not fruitful. agriculture. Through international The solutions could be developing conferences, meetings and other internationally validated national fora, IFOAM facilitates an ongoing systems or at the beginning look for dialogue about the status and future group certification or participatory of organic agriculture worldwide. guarantee systems especially for the According to 2015 Figures, 88 domestic markets. countries have developed national guarantee systems out of 179 IFOAM, as an umbrella civil society countries having organic production. organization is trying to develop and Nearly 50% of the countries are maintain the Organic Guarantee producing without a national System (Figure 2), which seeks to
Figure 2. IFOAM organic guarantee system (www.ifoam.bio)
8 Chapter I: General overview of world and Uzbekistan organic agriculture
#1 A culture of innovation
#2 Continuous improvement towards best practice #3 Diverse ways to ensure transparent integrity Sustainable Food #4 Inclusive of wider sustainability interests
#5 Holistic empowerment from farm to nal consumer & Farming Systems
#6 True value and cost accounting
y 3.0 ersity
re r
Biodiv
Soil I te Animal Husbandr
nv es estment Wa tmosphe tiv A ia y 2.0 re In rg ltu ty Lo LO u ili cal Econom EC O G Y Ene ic b • • r a & Resilience S g y Y O A in c a M BEST C uity & Gender i t O I Eq n s E N a u PRACTICE T g S Y r O
O •
C AGRICULTURE E
Markets & Trade Right Livelihood
& C
• U
L L
Y
VALUE T T T
U I
L
/ R
te I Labor Rights
CHAIN E
as B
•
A
T T T
A
rials/W N C
s U C re Mate O tu taminant Saf ul Con t et 1.0 ic y & gr A Commun Hy T al gien n Food Security r o Pr & a ti ency e d So i n tic Managemen oduct Quality t ve ting io n r ity n o v a C Holis er l F rn anspar a e eignty rm od Tr in M & Repo g ticipation C o ture r nve c ul ntional Agri Pa
Figure 3. Sustainable food and farming system (https://www.ifoam.bio/sites/-default/files/organic3.0_v.2_web_0.pdf ) provide a common system of standards, multiple solutions needed to solve verification and market identity for the tremendous challenges faced by the organic world. According to the our planet and our species (https:// IFOAM, organic agriculture should be www.ifoam.bio/es/organic-policy- economically efficient, environmentally guarantee/organic-30-next-phase- safe, and socially responsible. The organic-development). The overall organic movement is especially goal of Organic 3.0 is to enable a concerned with the quality of the food, widespread uptake of truly sustainable consumer trust and assurance that farming systems and markets based on production processes were similar organic principles and imbued with a across different farms. culture of innovation, of progressive In 2015, IFOAM initiated Organic 3.0 improvement towards best practice, as the third phase of organic of transparent integrity, of inclusive agriculture. The aim is about bringing collaboration, of holistic systems, and organic out of its current niche into of true value pricing (Figure 3). The the mainstream and positioning strategy for Organic 3.0 includes six organic systems as part of the main features and are as follows:
9 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
1. A culture of innovation, to attract movements and organizations that greater farmer adoption of organic have complementary approaches practices and to increase yields. to truly sustainable food and 2. Continuous improvement toward farming. best practice, at a localized and 5. Holistic empowerment from regionalized level. the farm to the final product, to 3. Diverse ways to ensure acknowledge the interdependence transparent integrity, to broaden and real partnerships along the the uptake of organic agriculture value chain. beyond third-party assurance and 6. True value and fair pricing, to certification. internalize costs, encourage 4. Inclusiveness of wider transparency for consumers and sustainability interests, through policy makers and to empower alliances with the many farmers as full partners.
Overview of world organic agriculture n mid-1980’s, following market the last decades, and practiced in enlargements, many countries approximately 179 countries of the and companies in some cases world in 2015. Its share of agricultural Istarted to develop clear and uniform land and number of farms continue criteria, according to which farming to grow all over the world. According (production) and its output can be to latest FIBL survey 2017, more than categorized and labeled as organic, 50.9 million hectares are currently which later turned into legislations or under organic agricultural practices private standards. Implementation of (Figure 4). these legislation/standards pertaining to organic agriculture is strictly The market for organic products is followed by the authorities who own also expanding and growing, not only the rights of the standards due to in Europe and North America (which oversight on the part of authorities as are the major markets), but also in well as due to activities of authorized many other countries, including control bodies fulfilling inspection several developing countries (see and certification services on behalf of chapter on the global organic the authority. market). Figure 5 gives information about the ten countries with the Organic agriculture has developed largest areas of organic agricultural rapidly worldwide during land in 2015. The countries with the
10 Chapter I: General overview of world and Uzbekistan organic agriculture
highest organic agriculture land are (12.7 million hectares, 25 percent). Australia (22.7 million hectares), Latin American countries are among Argentina (3.1 million hectares), and the leaders in organic agriculture with the United States (2 million hectares), 6.7 million hectares (13 percent). Asia Spain (1.97 million hectares), has about 4 million hectare (8 percent), China (1.61 million hectares), Italy followed by North America (3 million (1.49 million hectares), France hectares, 6 percent), and Africa (1.38 million hectares), Uruguay (1.7 million hectares, 3 percent). (1.31 million hectares), India (1.18 million hectares) and Germany FIBL and IFOAM Organics (1.09 million hectares). International (2017) survey states that land dedicated to organic agriculture In Oceania 22.3 million hectares of is not giving a clear picture for other agricultural land is under organic organic areas dedicated to other agriculture, and Oceania holds activities. Beekeeping is the largest 45 percent of the world’s organic part of wild collection in organic land (Figure 6), followed by Europe agriculture, and there are other
60
50.9 50 ha %
43.2 44.4
40 37.5 37.6 36.3 34.5 35.7 30.2 31.5 tares 30 29.2 28.3 25.7
llion hec 19.9 Mi 20 17.3 15.0 11.0 10
0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.70.7 0.70.8 0.80.8 0.90.9 1.1 0 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 2015 199 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 201 201 201 201 201
Figure 4. Growth of organic agricultural land 1999-2015 (Source: FIBL-IFOAM-SOEL-Surveys 1999-2017)*
* FIBL-IFOAM survey is updated yearly and made public in February 2017 (www.organic-world.net)
11 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Germany
India
Uruguay
France
Italy
China
Spain
The USA
Argentina
Australia
0510 in mln ha 15 20 25
Figure 5. The top ten countries with the largest areas of organic agricultural land 2015, million ha (Source: FIBL survey 2017)
Oceania
North America
Latin America %Area
Europe
Asia
Africa
0 10 20 30 40 50
Figure 6. World Organic agricultural land (including in-conversion areas) and regions’ shares of the global organic agricultural land in 2015 (Source: FIBL survey 2017)*
* Agricultural land includes in-conversion areas and excludes wild collection, aquaculture, forest, and non-agricultural grazing areas
12 Chapter I: General overview of world and Uzbekistan organic agriculture
areas used for aquaculture, and When calculating the size of some area forests or grazing areas on the world organic market, non- non-agricultural land. These areas food and non-agricultural approximately totaled to 39.7 million products as cosmetics, textiles or hectares, and all the organic areas pharmaceuticals are considered together summed up to 90.6 million separately from food and beverages hectares in 2015. Figure 7 describes since most standards and data full picture of organic agriculture collection systems apply only to worldwide where shares of wild organic farming and food. In this collection, organic agriculture and case, organic cotton is included other organic areas are presented. For in the data set of organic farming organic aquaculture and beekeeping, and food whereas organic textiles other indicators (production and are excluded except in Mexico. The number of beehives) are more organic food and beverages market relevant than the area, and the has reached to 81.6 billion US significance of organic aquaculture dollars in 2015 with a 10% increase and beekeeping cannot be measured since 2014. The North American in hectares. countries, the USA and Canada,
43.3% Wild collection
0.6% Other
56% Agricultural land and crops
Figure 7. Distribution of all organic areas in 2015, (%) (Source: FIBL Survey, 2017)
13 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
comprise 53% of the global market. organic agriculture is not limited to The European market is the second food or environmental safety but safe largest with 31.1 billion dollars. Sales and nutritious food is the expected in Asia, Australia and other markets outcome of the practices and inputs have reached to 7.2 billion dollars applied in organic management. In (Sahota, 2017). Food scandals and addition to producing according outbreaks as the melamine case in to organic rules, all basic quality China, dioxin in Belgium or Mad requirements expected for the Cow disease in United Kingdom conventional products in the had accelerated the organic food market are demanded at the same sales in domestic markets as well as level for organic products traded at in the world. The main objective of worldwide level.
Organic agriculture in Uzbekistan
he idea of organic farming participated in organic agriculture- is not new for the Republic related activities, as well. In terms of Uzbekistan as the country of production, as reported by some Thas its historical trends of traditional of the importing countries, organic low-input agricultural practices. products are already grown in Consequently, the ages-old culture Uzbekistan and exported. These of the traditional vegetable farming products are certified according to and horticulture in Uzbekistan were the legislation valid in the importing originally based on the principles of country by foreign certification biological farming with the use of bodies authorized by the respective organic fertilizers and without the use importing country. Some donor of genetically modifying technology. agencies active in Uzbekistan’s agriculture also attempted to Uzbekistan has a strategy to develop promote organic farming by sustainable resource management application of organic rules and and implement agri-food quality practices in farmers’ fields. There assurance systems and to increase are projects implemented with access to international markets. financial support from the United Uzbek researchers have carried States, Germany and South Korea out some studies and activities on that partially deal with organics. The organic agriculture. There are other currently implemented FAO TCP individuals/institutions who have included activities that complement
14 Chapter I: General overview of world and Uzbekistan organic agriculture
Presently, there are several approaches foreseen for the introduction of organic agri- culture systems in Uzbekistan:
1. The introduction of organic agriculture systems on land plots that fall under the category of non-demanded agricultural lands; 2. The introduction of modern allowed biotechnologies in farms engaged in traditional, but essentially bio-organic small-scale low-productivity agricultural production (individual subsidiary farms and peasant farms with a small area of land); 3. Complete withdrawal from the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in existing farms, their replacement with biological plant protection agents, and large-scale introduction of organic soil amendments and fertilizers, including methods of rotation, cover crops, intercropping etc., natural ameliorants, energy- and resource-conserving technologies: a. at once, on the entire area of an agricultural enterprise; b. step-by-step – first, on some portion (section, crop rotation, land tract), then, followed by subsequent introduction of organic systems of agriculture in the entire farm based on lessons learned; c. along the lines of one area of farming activities (for example, fodder production and livestock farming, vegetable growing, and etc.); d. parallel implementation of the organic farming systems with traditional farming systems 4. Gradual replacement of chemical agents with management techniques, bio-formulations, and allowed biotechnologies in various areas of activity or on the entire or larger area of a farm. the already-existing projects on Uzbek Statistical Agency, rangeland similar undertakings. and hayfield area amounted more than 21 million hectares, rain- Uzbekistan has great potential to fed land is 0.75 million hectares introduce and widespread organic (Figure 8). All rangeland, hayfield and agriculture. In 2016, Uzbekistan had rain-fed are favorable environment to a total area of organic certified 563 grow many agricultural crops starting hectares arable land while 6 000 ha from cereals, legumes, oil crops, to of wild land was certified according grow grape and fruit trees. In general, to organic farming rules, up from rangeland is a national wealth of zero ha in 2013. During the last two Uzbekistan and main source of a very years, the organic area in Uzbekistan cheap forage resource for livestock increased by about 250 hectares each production. Rangelands and hayfields year. According to the latest data from are main sources of medicinal or
15 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Irrigated
Rangeland and hay eld
Rainfed
0510 15 20 25 Mln ha
Figure 8. Irrigated, rain-fed, rangeland and hayfields in Uzbekistan, mln. ha
aromatic plants grown which can be Uzbek organic products such as collected according to organic rules almond and pistachios and certified and also form a basis for organic according to the EU regulation is honey production as beekeeping already on market shelves in Europe offers a good opportunity for farmers with the EU organic logo (Figure 10). to start up a small-scale business. According to the figures, organic JV “Pearls of Samarkand”, a private company, initiated organic fair- products are already marketed. trade products in Uzbekistan. The Uzbekistan produced 1 000 tons of JV “Pearls of Samarkand” is really organic raisins, 500 tons of organic a pioneer in Uzbekistan to develop dried plum and 3 000 tons of organic organic sector. It is an export-oriented dried apricots in 2016 and exported company connects Samarkand to Germany and the United States of farmers with Austrian certification America (Figure 9). All the above- body “Austria Bio Garantie GmbH” mentioned organic products are through farmers’ cooperatives and certified by an Austrian certification the importer. Farmers producing body named “Austria Bio Garantie mostly peanuts, chickpeas, G m b H ”. cherries, bee berries, mulberries,
16 Chapter I: General overview of world and Uzbekistan organic agriculture
3 500
3 000
2 500
2 000
tonnes 1 500
1 000
500
0 Raisin Dried plum Dried apricot
Figure 9. Organic raisin, dried plum and dried apricot production in Uzbekistan (2016) almonds, flax seeds, and sesame are predetermined for organic seeds around Samarkand region and fair-trade certifications. In the have established their member- contracted system, input supply is owned cooperatives to purchase provided to farmers at pre-production inputs and sell their commodities stage. Throughout the production collectively in reasonable prices, chain including the post-harvest and to make collective contract stage, methods and inputs used are with the processing and marketing selected according to organic and companies. JV “Pearl of Samarkand” fair-trade rules and regulations. is the domestic contracting company, Harvested products are transported which gets technical assistance and certification support from the foreign to the warehouse of the company. importer company. It also provides After proper sizing and quality training and advisory service to classification and storage, products cooperative members who are the are exported to the Austrian company. producer farmers. Training and The company applies proper packing advisory services are to ensure that for the products, and then they are farmers apply the suggested practices transported to mainstream retailers to according to the regulations, which make them available for consumers.
17 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects © FAO / Uygun Aksoy / Uygun © FAO
Figure 10. Organic almond and pistachio produced in Uzbekistan according to the EU logo (leaf on green background) sold in the European market
The future for organic agriculture colorings, and preservatives, and in Uzbekistan is very positive. The are perceived as having a higher growth rate, experienced over the quality. As seen in the above given last few years, suggests a fast and example, private sector may play considerable development of the an important role to develop the sector. Uzbekistan may become organic movement in Uzbekistan a central area for producing high to develop both the domestic and value organic products, such as dried export markets, mainly because a apricot, walnut, honey and other bee majority of people still cannot define products, raisin, nuts and dried fruit what organic means, and how the and medicinal and aromatic plants. production differs from non-organic Traditionally, Uzbeks are interested products. An umbrella organization, in traditional products originating as an example, Uzbekistan Organic from the villages as so called “natural Association (UOA), can be established products” are favored because they are to support all households, consumers considered free from toxic chemicals, and organizations active in developing additives, artificial flavorings and organic farming in Uzbekistan.
18 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Organic production methods Status, practices and prospects and technologies 2 © FAO / Hotam Muhammadiev / Hotam © FAO General overview of world and 1 Uzbekistan organic agriculture
Organic production 2 methods and technologies
3 Marketing
Regulatory framework on 4 organic food and farming
The Declaration of the International 5 Conference on Development of Organic Agriculture in Central Asia, Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 22-24 August 2017
6 Conclusion
7 References
8 Annexes Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
or a successful and certification system in organic sustainable organic production requires documentation production, planning is of the inputs and methods utilized. Fimportant since the conditions of Additionally, the NOP obliges to every farm may be different. This prepare and present the Organic plan should be based on evaluation System Plan before starting the of various factors as the selection certification. Since the farmer will of the site (farm) and the crops, be applying rotation and selecting the availability of inputs that the appropriate crops, he/she has are allowed in organic, storage, to know more about the farm as processing or packing facilities, soil fertility, input availability, working power, capital and market infrastructure required and market conditions. The inspection and demand to make long-term plans.
Site selection
o present examples to Uzbek Site selection is the first step in farmers, a pilot organic starting organic farming as organic agriculture site was selected as crop production has to avoid Ta demonstration in the mountainous external pollution risks and excludes areas of Qamashi district in the use of many synthetic inputs Qashqadaryo province where rain-fed associated with modern farming, agriculture dominates. The selection most notably synthetic pesticides criteria are developed by project and fertilizers. Site should be located national consultants based on local far from industrial and urban areas agricultural conditions and suitability to avoid any risk of contamination to produce organic products. During on agricultural products. Mountain the training courses and field days areas where low or no inputs used of the project, there were overall can be excellent sites to start organic constructive discussions on project farming (climate, free of certain pests sites, selection criteria, crops and fruit and diseases, suitable soils, etc.) in trees to grown. The project team and Uzbekistan. local counterparts agreed on the pilot project site. The experiences gained The selection of a suitable location is in these sites can be used further as also important when an individual models to create organic farms in the decides to go into farming, the region or throughout the country. purchase of a farm lot being
21 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
considered as a better alternative of medicinal and aromatic plants, oil investing hard-earned money rather plants, culinary herbs, rose hip, than depositing it in a bank. Here one mushrooms, bamboo and many of the most important considerations others. According to the EU and is the value of the property, that is, Turkish regulations on wild harvest, the selling price is as low as can be there is no need for a transition reasonably possible. Other factor that period if prerequisites in the could be important are water supply standards are fulfilled. The aim is and those, which make the farm also to provide sustainable collection suitable to a wide choice of crops and preserve natural biodiversity. or intended crops and investment For organic products harvested opportunities. from nature and exported especially from developing countries, there In areas where natural flora enables are also private standards that have collection of wild species, this can additional focus on environmental be an opportunity for developing and social aspects. organic products. Organic wild harvested products include, fruit, For wild collection, the regulations nuts, berries (Figures 11 and 12), foresee: © FAO / Maksed Bauetdinov © FAO
Figure 11. Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) shrub in project demo site in Qamashi district
22 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies © FAO / Maksed Bauetdinov © FAO
Figure 12. Crataegus (Crataegus rhipidophylla) in Qamashi district
1. Harvest area must not be treated chemical inputs including fertilizers, with the products, except with growth regulators and pesticides. those which are allowed in the On the other hand, extensive use legislation for organic, within of tillage, irrigation, synthetic the previous 3 years as of the fertilizers and pesticides has damaged harvesting date. the soil structure, contaminated 2. The harvesting area must not groundwater, accumulated toxic and have experienced fire in the last 2 carcinogenic compounds in the soil years. and groundwater in various regions of 3. The natural life balance is ensured the world. and the species are preserved in the harvesting area. Organic farming practices rely on 4. The products reaped from the rotations, intercropping or cover nature shall not be subject to crops and allow use of only organic or transition process. natural mineral soil amendments as animal manure, compost or seaweeds Conventional farming practices have or dolomite allowed in the reference only one major goal of producing standard. Soil is cultivated to a depth higher yields using tillage practices, of not more than 10 cm by using water management and all type of cultivators, subsurface tillers, disc
23 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
harrows without turning over the soil. has two stages in terms of labelling, Natural and traditional preparations in transition and organic. The length (sulfur, lime, copper sulfate), traps of the conversion period, the start and farming techniques (rotations, and the ending times, labelling of mulches, repellent or attractant products in conversion and possible plants) are used in managing pests, reduction of the transition period diseases and weeds. At present, many varies from one legislation to the biologicals are used that are created other, and the length of the transition through effective microorganisms period also differs in different plant (genetically modified organisms are and animal species. There is a need not allowed) and are harmless to to check the latest version of the humans and nature. reference legislation.
When organic agriculture practices The two phases in organic process can as minimum tillage, mulching, be explained as follows: green manuring, composting, mixed planting or using natural substances Organic: no chemicals or to protect from pests and diseases are methods except those approved applied in obtaining safe and high- for use in the legislation have quality agricultural crops, consumers been used for more than three are ready to pay a price premium. years in perennial plants and for Moreover, the world experience more than two years in annuals shows that using on-farm inputs and (in the USA; it is 3 years also for recycling results in reduction of cost annuals); and and labor and increases crop quality Organic in transition (in through maintenance of long-term conversion): no chemicals or soil fertility. methods except those approved for use in the legislation have been Conversion period from traditional used for a period ranging between agriculture to a more functional days or months in livestock organically managed agroecosystem husbandry and up to two or three may take more than the actual years for crops. transition period that is 3 years, it may go up 10 to 15 years in a Organic farming systems also damaged ecosystem or in case of require suitable soils and climate, mismanagement. The transition good-quality water, access to labor, period helps to understand the transport and markets – the site natural processes. Organic agriculture should be relatively free of resistant
24 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
pests and diseases of the crops the other species can be quite problematic producer plans to grow. Apart from to farmers and are difficult to control all the obvious reasons for choosing through non-chemical means a site, crop rotations, crop residues, but it can be controlled by hand manures (Figure 13), legumes, green picking roots of Bermuda grass after manures, on-farm organic wastes, ploughing. mechanical cultivation, mineral- bearing rock powders and biological Some perennial fruits (walnut, pest control agents are important pistachio, peach and almond) are elements of organic farming. easier to grow organically than other These components maintain soil fruit trees (apple, plum and others) productivity and tilth, supply plant in Uzbekistan. It should mentioned nutrients and help to control insects, here that, successful organic fruit weeds and diseases. The presence growing depend largely on whether of certain weeds and forage species the venture is for home production or are also of particular concern to for commercial sales. In the mountain the organic farmer. Bermuda grass areas of Uzbekistan, many households (Figure 14), Couch grass and several are already growing many agricultural © FAO / Oybek Soatov / Oybek © FAO
Figure 13. Prepared animal manure ready for application
25 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects © FAO / Aziz Nurbekov / © FAO
Figure 14. Bermuda grass field
crops without using any pesticides free of dead insects or mechanical and fertilizers (please see some photos damage or homogeneous size and from households’ activities). However, color that apply for conventional for the export market, quality products also apply for organic standards as being free of blemishes, products.
Organic farming demonstration site
ashqadaryo is located in production. Livestock farming, southeast of the country, in the especially sheep husbandry is well Qashqadaryo River Basin and developed in the mountainous areas. Qon the western edges of the Pamir-Alai Mountain Range. Main agricultural There are several deserts and these are crops are cotton, winter wheat, namely: the Karshi Desert covering vegetables and cocoon production. the north and northwestern parts The agricultural input of the province of the province; the Nishon Desert makes slightly more than 10% of covering the south whereas the the Uzbekistan’s total agricultural Sundukly sands - the southwestern
26 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
parts; and in the eastern part only for the environment, soil, and of the province Kitob-Qamashi human health but also possess a great foothills make up the landscape. potential for increasing farmers’ There are three types of climates: income, to have access to the export continental, partly subtropical and markets and at the same time to dry. The mountain ranges that have provide services to the society by semi-rounded the province from increasing employment opportunities northwest, east and south prevent and maintaining clean environment. the penetration of cold weather and create a convenient atmosphere for In 2016, in Qashqadaryo Region in the condensation of the western the outshoots of the Gissar Range humidity. Winters are warm and system, a nursery was created for summers are hot and long. Average rapid transition of the region and long-term precipitation ranges widely especially horticultural industry among foothill, mountain and desert to organic production. It has the zones between 100 and 450 mm. following coordinates: latitude The main river is the Qashqadaryo 38°38'16''N, longitude 67°05'24''E, River with its numerous streams altitude 1 630 m, area – 1.0 ha. originating from the mountains. Seeds for establishment of the nursery The demand for agricultural were collected in the outshoots of production is expected to continue Tian Shan, the Pamir-Alay system to grow in Uzbekistan as the of Fergana valley and offshoots Government is going to increase of Gissar Range in Qashqadaryo export potential of many agricultural and Surkhondaryo Regions of the crops including vegetable, fruit Republic of Uzbekistan from wild and others. Apricot, apple, nuts, trees of wild apple (Malus sieversii medicinal and aromatic plants, grape (Ledebour)), wild pear (Pyrus regelii (raisin) and other dried fruits are Rehder), wild quince (Cydonia the most important commodities oblonga Mill), gean (Cerasus collina in the country to be exported as an Laj), and wild apricot (Prunus organic product. However, with a armeniaca L.). This nursery will trend towards organic products, apple produce organic saplings to be or wild apricot could also become distributed to the region to promote important. This region with very low organic fruit production and also input use and low yields has some help to preserve biodiversity and wild potential for organic agriculture. species native to Uzbekistan (Please Organic agriculture is good not see Figure 15 and 16).
27 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects © FAO / Alisher Saydaliev Alisher / © FAO
Figure 15. Seedlings of wild apple tree Malus sieversii (L, db) © FAO / Alisher Saydaliev Alisher / © FAO
Figure 16. Seedling section of wild apricot Prunus armeniaca
28 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
Farmers around demonstration Rain-fed areas well-provided site already producing apple, grape with moisture (at altitude of and peach close to organic farming 600-1500 meters above sea conditions as they do not have level, precipitation level exceeds applying fertilizers, pesticides in 600 mm); their orchards (Please see Figures 17 Rain-fed areas half-provided and 18). with moisture (at altitude of 350-600 meters above sea level, Grape is the easiest crop to initiate precipitation ranges between 300 organic farming as Uzbek farmers and 600 mm); traditionally in very rare case use Rain-fed areas poorly provided chemicals in grape production. Grape with moisture (at altitude of can benefit from being intercropped 200-300 meters above sea level, with cover crops or short grasses for precipitation amounts to 200- weed control and mulch. Intercropping 300 mm). with legumes provide needed nitrogen In rain-fed areas under conventional for grape. A year around time frame of agriculture, the biggest problem is the organic grape production activities with open fallow when multiple tillage including agronomic practices, operations are conducted to control diseases and pest control is given weeds, causing substantial soil erosion in Annex 1: Table 7. Please also see and degradation. It is established that Figures 19 and 20. through application of no-till practices soil moisture can be increased and Organic wheat cultivation can be conserved compared with conventional another good alternative as a major tillage. Crop rotation and relevant rotation crop in rain-fed areas. No- structure of areas under crop should be till wheat cultivation mostly fulfill conducive to fully-fledged use of soil the requirements of organic farming moisture reserves during the vegetative in rain-fed conditions where wheat period and draw maximum benefit is growing mostly under natural from production factors that are under conditions. Depending on availability management control. These include: of precipitation, hydrological and optimal plant density, seeding methods, hydrothermal conditions and the application of optimal amounts of plant administrative division, rain-fed areas nutrients and soil amendments among in Uzbekistan are grouped (Nurbekov allowed ones, use of locally adapted et al., 2016) into the following three varieties, and water-saving technologies rain-fed zones: for cereal crop production. In general,
29 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects © FAO / Alisher Saydaliev Alisher / © FAO
Figure 17. Organically grown peach in Uzbekistan © FAO / Oybek Soatov / Oybek © FAO
Figure 18. Organic orchard farm in demo site in Qamashi district
30 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies © FAO / Sunnat Djalalov © FAO
Figure 19. Grape produced under organic farming © FAO / Sunnat Djalalov © FAO
Figure 20. Organic raisin in Uzbekistan
31 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
in crop rotation, winter wheat comes have adjustable high stubble cutting after perennial forage legumes (alfalfa), capacity and are equipped with straw pulses, melon and safflower. chopper and spreader. A pattern of Recommended Models for organic Harvesting of cereals should be winter wheat on rain-fed areas is done with combine-harvesters that presented in Table 8 given as Annex 2.
Soil fertility management
n organic farming systems, the with high C/N ratio, it will utilize main approach is to feed the the soil microbiota and nitrogen soil and not the plant. In this for decomposition of the carbon Irespect, maintaining or enhancing rich compost. Composting helps long-term soil fertility is the major waste management and all wastes challenge. All synthetic and readily will be converted into nutritive and soluble mineral fertilizers are banned. structure building amendment for Especially in areas where soil organic the soil. Incorporating organic matter matter and nitrogen (N) levels are to the soil is recommended only if low, a short and long term strategy there is not risk of contamination. should be developed. Even if you Proper composting also eliminates apply compost or manure, N contents the pathogenic microorganisms. are relatively low and only 1/3 of the In order to obtain biomass for N could be available for the first year, composting, fast growing trees and the rest in the following years. In can be planted along the roads or this regard, integration of different on the borders, which may be cut available methods as crop rotation, and used for composting. Every green manures, intercropping or standard on organic farming has a addition of inputs as compost, list of allowed soil amendments or seaweed, natural rocks, some substances. In case of deficiencies of plant residues or animal manure a certain element or to complement can be considered in soil fertility soil practices, farmers should use management. If the farm has animals, the appropriate ones from such lists. composting plant residues with Phosphorus, potassium or other manure should be the first solution. primary or secondary nutrient A mature compost will have the final deficiencies can be regulated by using C/N ratio ranging between 15-25. If the substances listed in the standards. the compost is not mature enough, Organic management requires a
32 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
preventive approach therefore even if of nitrogen applied to the soil in one the farmer may use animal manure, if year is limited to 170 kg N/ha. In case the manure is not from his own farm, of continuous application of organic he/she has to prove from where it matter e.g. manure or compost for comes from and that it does not have longer periods, soil N levels must be any chemicals that can pollute the monitored in order not to cause any soil. In some standards, the amount N leaching problems.
Crop rotation, cover crops and intercropping
n organic agriculture, crop from a deeper layer whereas cereals rotation in addition to soil can retrieve nutrients from a wider fertility improvement plays an area due to their higher total root Iimportant role to control pests, length. Rotations may also give weeds and diseases. A well-planned benefits in terms of improved soil crop rotation can improve the quality (more or deeper roots; root efficiency of controlling insects, exudates), better distribution of diseases and weeds, and contribute nutrients in the soil profile (deep- to maintaining or improving rooted crops bring up nutrients soil structure and increasing the from below) and to increase organic matter content. Pulses in biological activity (Figure 21). crop rotation reduce the need for subsequent nitrogen introduction, Legumes – chickpeas (Figure 22), so the value of legumes increases. peas and beans in Uzbekistan Even if legumes increase soil are produced for grain and green N content by fixing nitrogen, biomass. Great interest in the consecutive sowing of legumes must production of leguminous crops in be avoided since they may result Uzbekistan is due to the volatility in in negative N levels. A good crop grain prices and demand for pulse rotation is capable of providing crops in foreign markets. In addition, more reliable and stable yields, legume crops are high-performance increasing the productivity of the bio-plants for the fixation of soil and potentially contributing atmospheric nitrogen. Steps for to the desired yield and quality a successful chickpea production of organic agricultural products. under rain-fed conditions is given in Other crops, such as those with Table 9 (Annex 3). Legumes improve deep tap-root, have the ability to soil fertility and, accordingly, are exploit the soil nutritive reserve excellent as preceding crops to many
33 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Figure 21. Possible crop rotation for organic agriculture in rain-fed conditions of Uzbekistan © FAO / Aziz Nurbekov / © FAO
Figure 22. Chickpea grown in rain-fed areas
34 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
other crops in rotations. Additionally, sequence factors considered when leguminous grain crops produce more deciding on the rotation design include protein per unit area, and its quality the choice of cereal crops and their and digestibility is much higher relationship with one another, with (Figure 23). fertility building and with pest and disease-breaking crops such as pastures Some crops are chosen on the basis of and green manures. Other factors their ability to add to soil organic matter that should be taken into account are due to their big volume of biomass the market for the chosen crops, the as in cauliflower. It also includes the available resources (for example, labor selection of the right geographical and equipment), the economics of the location. With green manure crops, the rotation and, if they are to be a part aim should be to have a range of species of the rotation, the role of livestock. that fulfil all of these requirements. When choosing crops for a rotation it These design considerations greatly is a good idea to have a number of uses affect a producer’s ability to effectively in mind – say, processed or fresh – and manage pests, weeds and diseases in such a situation careful choice of in organic production. The rotation variety is crucial. Organic certifiers © FAO / Oybek Soatov / Oybek © FAO
Figure 23. Organic chickpea field in the project demo site in Qashqadaryo province where fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide were not applied
35 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
might stipulate that in any three-year legumes or mixed cropping can period at least one year should include be achieved through cover crops a green manure crop, leguminous crop or intercropping. Covering the or pasture phase. This might not be soil surface with cover crops in required if compost is regularly applied winter especially in deciduous tree for primary fertility building or where orchards prevent soil erosion and livestock are incorporated in the system. leaching of nutrients. However, there are few major issues to consider An organic farm that is managed while selecting the cover crops or as a business must have access intercrops, as follows: to supplies, equipment, and the markets of the selected crops. It must 1. These species should not be host be provided with infrastructures to the diseases or pests of the tree (e.g. roads) and, if the product is crops; intended to be marketed elsewhere, 2. It should not compete heavily for transportation facilities, trucks water or soil nutrients; or trains or airplanes becomes a 3. It should not hinder timely crucial element. Moreover, there is harvest practices; a general preference for farms in 4. Should be growing preferably familiar locations and which are during the period of heavy rains easily accessible to owner-managers. to prevent soil erosion and not Through rotations, peak labor times require irrigation and may be reduced and labor better 5. Should not be persistent and distributed throughout the year invasive in the soil. if planting and harvest times are different. Organic growers often include leguminous cover crops in order to The rising cost of mineral nitrogen fix nitrogen for the following crops fertilizers and the pollution risk of in the rotation. Deep-rooted cover underground waters have revived crops can bring nutrients up from interest in nitrogen-fixing legumes deeper layer in the soil profile and not only in organic but also in contribute to the development of conventional systems. In organic a network of soil biopores which production of perennials as the fruit improves aeration, drainage and trees, cover crops or intercropping moisture holding capacity. To is a tool that the farmer may benefit from different functions benefit. Since fruit trees remain in of the species, mixtures (e.g. their place for decades, benefits of vetch+barley) can be used.
36 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
The natural vegetation can also used with nitrogen fixing legumes or as a cover and cut when it starts with other species to increase competing for water and nutrients. diversity or improve their benefits Natural vegetation can be enriched to the farm.
Pest, disease and weed management methods
Pest, disease and weed management rotation as exemplified for rain-fed in organic farming benefits from the areas (Figure 24). Share of cereals integrated management approach should be no less than 50% while and consists of a range of activities other 50% should be legume crops that support each other. It is well in order to suppress weeds in wheat known that the weed competition fields. Management focuses on especially during the critical period keeping existing pest populations reduce yields as an example presence and diseases low, below the levels of weeds in wheat fields reduces the that will not create any important wheat yield by 10-13%. The weeds economic losses. Control on the can be controlled by planned crop other hand is a short-term activity
60
50
40 2 30 eeds per m
W 20
10
0 Winter Winter Winter Continuous wheat-canola wheat- ax wheat-fallow winter wheat
Figure 24. Effect of crop rotation on number of weeds (Source: Sydyk et al. 2008)
37 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
and focuses on eradicating pest is more at risk in monocultures, and diseases. The general approach and on-farm diversification provide applied in organic agriculture to a balanced interaction between deal with the causes of a problem different plants, diseases, weeds and and prevent its occurrence rather pests and their predators. This is than treating the symptoms after why a well-managed ecosystem can they appear also applies for pest and be a successful way of reducing the diseases. Diversification of the farm level of pest or disease population breaks the food chain of the pests (Figure 25). Certain crop varieties and diseases and provides a natural have more effective mechanisms than habitat for benefials. Natural habitats can be formed by flowering strips others due to the adaptive nature to in the fields or by managing the the environment and therefore have a surrounding of the farms by green lower infection risk. hedges or green margins. Codex Alimentarius on organic Plant health depends on the production lists pest, disease and interaction between living organisms weed management methods as and their environment. Plant health follows:
120 2.5
100 2.0
80 1/5 tion, % 60
1.5 40 Wheat yield, t/ha Wheat root infec 0.5 20
0 0 WWWW WWLW WOFW WLRWWCCW WFFW W – Wheat, L – Lupines, O – Oats, F – Fallow
Figure 25. Effect of crop rotation on the number of wheat infections and wheat yields (Source: Reis et al., 1983)
38 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
choice of appropriate species and Effective preventive crop protection varieties; measures can help farmers efficiently appropriate rotation programs; manage pests and diseases. In this mechanical cultivation; case, farmers should know about the diversified ecosystems; biology of pest and diseases. As many flame weeding; factors influence the development natural enemies including release of pest and diseases, it is crucial to of predators and parasites; step in at the most sensitive points. biodynamic preparations from It can be carried out through best stone meal, farmyard manure; or crop management practices, a plants; suitable combination of different mulching and mowing; methods, or the choice of a selective grazing of animals; method. Figures 26, 27 and 28 show widely distributed wheat diseases in mechanical controls such as traps, Uzbekistan. barriers, light and sound; steam sterilization when proper Farmers must select varieties that rotation of soil renewal cannot are resistant and well adapted to the take place. local environmental conditions (heat, © FAO / Aziz Nurbekov / © FAO
Figure 26. Wheat yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici)
39 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects © FAO / B. Pett © FAO
Figure 27. Take-all Gaeumannomyces graminis (Sacc.) © FAO / B. Pett © FAO
Figure 28. Eyespot, Foot Rot Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides
40 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
drought, pest and disease pressure), between the plants reduces the as it allows them to grow healthy spread of diseases especially of fungal and makes them stronger against origin. Good aeration of the plants infections of pests and diseases and allows leaves to dry off faster, which abiotic factors. hinders pathogen development and infection or enhanced air flow may In the previous section, information remove accumulated humidity. was given on crop rotation, which Therefore, in grape or tree fruit and can reduce the chances of soil borne nut production, proper pruning is diseases, increase soil fertility and one of the basic practices utilized in biological activity and enhance the prevention of fungal diseases. presence of beneficial organisms (but also of pests; therefore a careful In case disease and pest problems selection of the proper species is can not be overcome by preventive needed). This can be as a result of measures or cultural practices, there various factors but the main factor is are plant protection agents allowed breaking of the nutrition chain of pests in the standards on organic farming. and diseases by alternating the families These include, traps, microorganisms (e.g. Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, (e.g. Trichoderma, Bacillus Leguminoceae) in crop rotation. thuringiensis etc.), plant extracts (e.g. neem extract), and traditionally used Most pests or diseases attack the agents like sulphur or copper. The plant only in a certain life stage conditions of use may differ from therefore it’s important that this life one country to the other, thus in case stage during which the plant is weak of export market it is recommended doesn’t correspond with the period to check if the input is allowed or of high pest or disease density or not. As an example, the organic risks as rain or high humidity levels. standard in Russia allows the use If such risks are well noted, farmer of diammonium phosphate in traps can chose the optimal planting against fruit flies whereas in Europe time taking into abovementioned it is banned. In Europe, there is a life cycle of any disease or pest into restriction in the amount of copper consideration. Sufficient distance used per ha per year.
41 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Post-harvest handling and quality
Consumers are willing to pay a price excluded. The inputs and substances premium for the products that fit allowed in organic regulations are best to their expectations. Even if the mostly in common in the national consumer preferences may vary from or international standards. In some one country or region to the other, cases, as in the case of sulphur, it is all look for healthy food at affordable allowed as a plant protection agent prices. Quality standards aim at and also for soil applications but establishing a common language and its use as a post-harvest agent (e.g. understanding between the producer fresh grapes) or as a food additive and the buyer but has to avoid any is restricted. Sulphur is allowed for barriers to trade. Codex Alimentarius fruit wines but not in other products, standards on contaminants while for example you can not treat dried deciding on the allowed limits take apricots with sulphur or use sulphur into consideration two basic aspects: pads in storing grapes. Additionally, as low as reasonably achievable there could be conditions for use, (ALARA) and scientifically limiting it only for plant products, or sound (www.fao.org/fao-who- to animals or aquaculture. Potassium codexalimentarius/en/). The quality carbonate is allowed in many organic and safety standards are mostly standards as a processing aid as used voluntary at international level giving in dipping prior to drying of grapes. guidance to the interested parties but In GOST regulation, it is allowed national legislation are compulsory also as a food additive for cereals at national level. Thus, in principle (Table 2). Processing methods should the national legislation or allowed be mechanical, physical or biological maximum levels of the producer and (such as fermentation and smoking) importer countries have to be fulfilled and minimize the use of non- at production and sales stages. This is agricultural ingredients. also valid for organic products since the content of legislation/standards Organic production rules focus on organic governs how the organic on product and environmental should be practiced. As a general safety throughout the production approach, the inputs allowed in chain which in turn affects health production, storage and processing of of humans, animals and all living organic food are limited and various organisms. In addition to safety chemicals used to extend shelf life aspects, organic markets also or to prevent microbial growth are demand quality products. In organic
42 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
production, substances that can dose can be tested for the product be used at postharvest stage are and the pest, and then applied. comparatively limited compared to Ideal storage conditions for dried those in conventional post-harvest fruit and nuts as cold (4- 10°C) and during packing, processing and relatively lower humidity (60- 65%) storage phases. So, it is important levels allows to store them for longer to take precautionary measures at periods even for years without any the farm level and produce high quality deterioration. High humidity quality products. Even for dried conditions may trigger fungal growth or processed products, the final and development of mycotoxins in quality is largely determined by the storage. Mycotoxins are secondary quality of the raw matter. Quality metabolites of various fungi, mainly of fresh products does not enhance of Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium after harvest, but deteriorate due to spp. and there are hundreds of senescence. Quality and value can them formed in various products. be improved by removing defected Dried fruit, nuts, cereals, and oil ones, sizing, quality classification, seeds are among the substrates that cleaning or through processing high are susceptible to toxin formation value products, which all require a because of their high oil or sugar significant cost. The most important contents. In international trade, they approach for organic fresh produce is create problems because of food safety to obtain clean products by providing issues. In some cases as ochratoxin A hygienic conditions at the farm and in grapes and apricots or aflatoxins further in storage, transportation in some nuts or dried produce and retail. The ideal temperature (dried figs, dried pepper, pistachios, and humidity conditions should may form while in the orchard. The also be maintained to reduce losses major way of reducing or preventing due to water and quality loss and formation of mycotoxins at farm level development of postharvest diseases. is to have hygienic conditions and Dried produce like cereals, dried take some preventive measures as fruit, nuts and medicinal plants fastening drying by providing optimal also require specific conditions. The conditions or preventing spreading of major problems appear due to storage toxigenic fungi that is in the soil by pests and in organic production tilling the soil near harvest. If dried carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N), fruit and nuts are stored with water heat treatments and some plant activity (aw) levels below aw< 65 then extracts are used to kill live insects. the risk of toxin formation in storage However, each agent and its effective is minimized.
43 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Table 2. Examples of pesticides, food additives, ingredients or processing aids allowed in organic plant and animal production according to the Russian Interstate (GOST 33980-2016) and European Union (EC 889/2008) regulations
Description, composition requirements, conditions of use
Interstate Standard GOST 33980-2016 EC 889/2008 ANNEX II Pesticides and Annex VIII. Name of the substance Appendix B.4 Other substances traditionally used in Section A – Food additives, including carriers; Section B organic production; Appendix H. Food additives (H – Processing aids and other products, which may be used 1) and processing aids (H 2) for use in organic food for processing of Ingredients of Agricultural Origin From production Organic Production Copper in the form of The need to use it, prescription and dosage are con- Copper compounds in the form of: copper hydroxide, hydroxide, oxichloride firmed according to the established procedure. They copper oxychloride, copper oxide, Bordeaux mixture, (tribasic), sulphate, can be used as a fungicide, provided that the applied and tribasic copper sulphate protoxide, Bordeaux preparations do not lead to concentrations of copper and Burgundy mix- in soil higher than the ascertained level Fungicide: tures For perennial crops, Member States may, by derogation from the previous paragraph, provide that the 6 kg cop- per, limit can be exceeded in a given year provided that the average quantity actually used over a 5-year period consisting of that year and of the four preceding years does not exceed 6 kg Lime Sulphur (polysulphide) (Calcium polysulphide) Fungicide, insecticide, acaricide
Fungicide, insecticide, acaricide Calcium hydroxide NA When used as fungicide, only in fruit trees, including nurseries, to control Nectria galligena Ethylene To enhance maturation of bananas, kiwi and per- simmon. For citrus fruit only as a method to control fruit fly. For potato and onion inhibition of sprouting Fatty acids NA When used as fungicide, only in fruit trees, including nurseries, to control Nectria galligena Potassium salts of Insecticide Insecticide fatty acids (soft soap) Mineral powders Pesticide, Used only when the harvest is under Bentonite is used as a processing aid for both plant and (stone meal, silicates, explicit threat animal products, Gelatine production bentonite) Diatomaceous earth Same as above Used as a processing aid for both plant and animal products, Gelatine production Sodium silicate Same as above
Sodium bicarbonate Same as above
Ferric phosphate Applied as a slug bait (molluscicide) Preparations to be surface-spread between cultivated plants Slaked lime Used in such a way as to minimize accumulation of copper in soil
44 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
Diammonium In traps for pest control Used as a processing aid or ingredient in plant and phosphate animal production, only for use in processing of fruit wines, including cider and perry and mead Potassium bicarbonate Fungicide Fungicide
Hydrogen peroxide Used only when the harvest is under explicit threat
Carbon dioxide Same as above Both in plant and animal processing used as a process- ing aid or ingredient Nitrogen Same as above Both in plant and animal processing used as a process- ing aid or ingredient Ethyl alcohol Same as above Both in plant and animal processing used as a solvent
Potassium carbonate Processing aid in drying grapes; As a food additive Drying of grapes (see E 501) (E 501) in cereals *E220 Sulphur dioxide E 220 Used for fruit wines* without added sugar E 220 In fruit wines (1) and mead with and without or *E 224 Potassium (including cider and perry) or in mead: 50 mg/dm3 added sugar):100 mg metabisulphide or For cider and perry prepared with addition of sugars or juice concentrates after fermentation: 100 E224 In fruit wines (1) and mead with and without mg/dm3 (Annex H) added sugar):100 mg (2) *E 270 Lactic acid Used for plant products as a food additive (Annex H) Use only in animal products, for the regulation of the pH of the brine bath in cheese production as an additive *E 290 Carbon dioxide Used for plant products as a food additive (Annex H) Can be used for both plant and animal products
*E 296 Malic acid Used for plant products as a food additive (Annex H) Can be used for both plant and animal products
*E 300 Ascorbic acid Used for plant products as a food additive (Annex H) Can be used for both plant and animal products, special condition: only for meat products *E 330 Citric acid Used for plant products as a food additive (Annex H) Can be used for both plant and animal products
Crustaceans and molluscs E 392 Extracts of Only when derived from organic production rosemary *E 500 Sodium Used for plant products as a food additive but shall Used for plant products (no restriction) carbonate not be used for coloring (Annex H) *E 501 Potassium Only for plant products, for cereal-based products, Used for plant products (no restriction) carbonates cakes and pastries, confectionary *E 939 Helium Can be used for both plant and animal products Can be used for both plant and animal products (Annex H) *E 941 Nitrogen Can be used for both plant and animal products Can be used for both plant and animal products (Annex H) *E 948 Oxygen Can be used for both plant and animal products Can be used for both plant and animal products (Annex H)
45 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Drying fruit and nuts to moisture the value chain are responsible. levels below the critical water activity The farmer, packer, storage keeper, levels and store them in cold and transporter or processor should all relative humidity (< 65%) is crucial be knowledgeable about the methods to prevent mycotoxin formation in and inputs allowed in reference storage (www.codexalimentarius. standard not only in the producing org; Code of Practice for Prevention/ country but also in the importer Reduction of Aflatoxins in Dried country. International standards as Figs). the Codex Alimentarius or United Nations Economic Commission for For organic products, control bodies Europe (https://www.unece.org/ inspect the whole production chain trade/agr/standard) standards can be including post-harvest and processing taken as a reference for market quality to assess conformity to the organic of fresh fruit and vegetables, dried standard and in case of conformity, produce and nuts. The specifications the organic certificate is given. set by the private standards and Labels on organic products help the demanded by the company are all consumer and show that the product additional to these basic standards. is produced and certified in line with Inspecting and/or analyzing the the rules of reference standard. All process and/or the product for standards on organic have rules on quality and safety at every step is time labelling which are more specific in and money consuming and mostly case of processed products. Labelling impossible especially for fresh final conditions for processed products produce. To obtain targeted quality are different in US, EU or Russian and safety, risk assessment is applied standards and may vary according both at farm level and throughout the to the percentage of organic or non- organic production chain. One can organic content as 100% organic, 95% control the production at all stages organic or 70%. Therefore, before but it is not viable economically marketing labelling conditions for and time-wise. So major risks are organic as well as for quality must be identified, points at which it may closely followed. occur are determined, how it should be controlled and compared to the When it comes to the overall quality reference levels (generally stated in and safety of the organic product, the legislation of the producer and the responsibility is beyond the importer country and/or decided by inspection and certification body. the buyer) must be known in advance Almost all actors active throughout (Table 3).
46 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
For higher quality and safety in control bodies does not cover these organic products, the control plan aspects as a whole. covering the whole production chain must be prepared to save time and Organic certification provides money by controlling at every step traceability, starting from the and to satisfy the requested quality history of the farm and the origin of and safety conditions. Table 3 lists inputs and goes to who processed, main factors that may create risk at who certified or to whom it is different stages of organic production, sold. Traceability is one of the as an example. Organic standards advantages of organic products put forth conditions for being sold that help to identify the origin of as organic which are based more on safety and quality problems. The safety, however overall quality is not most frequent source of chemical fully covered in the organic standards, contamination of organic products therefore regular inspections of the at post-harvest stage comes through
Table 3. A sample matrix for risk factors in an organic production value chain
Harvest and Transportation, storage, Field/Farm Processing and packaging post-harvest handling wholesale and retail Separate storage, packaging and/ Clean site selection Optimum harvest maturity Maintain traceability or processing lines for organic Adapted species and variety, Prevent mixing organic seeds or propagation Care at harvest Training and record keeping with conventional material Methods/practices utilized Training of workers for Proper planting distances, (irradiation, genetic engineering Prevent any other form of harvest and post-harvest buffer zones and chemical extraction methods contamination handling are banned) Proper cultural practices Prevent losses Processing aids, water quality Pay attention to mixed loads (pruning, irrigation etc.) Cleaning agents Provide optimum temperature and Soil fertility management Hygiene at the field/farm (only allowed) humidity conditions Pest, disease and weed Clean packaging, storage of Worker hygiene Apply good storage practices management packaging Labelling according to the valid Prevent natural Worker safety Hygiene at facility and workers organic and other food labelling contamination or drift rules Sanitation of the packing, Clean storage and Sell as organic in the markets, Record all applications processing facility; Control of flies, transportation prefer shorter marketing channels... storage pests, rodents…
47 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
mixing of conventional products into a dissected plastic bottle to or uncleaned processing lines, absorb water and then lose through storages or vehicles possessing evaporation. Plastic bottles are filled chemical residues. In Uzbekistan, with water as shown in Figure 30; fresh grapes are stored with boxes the bottles must be refilled from having plastic bottles full of water time to time. In the above example, to maintain humidity (Figure 29). storage temperature is 2-3°С and The wooden re-used boxes or even the relative humidity is 90%, and water quality in the bottles are the grapes can be stored up to eight- of utmost importance since they nine months. This method allows may cause chemical or microbial storing grapes or other fruit better contamination. As a traditional in refrigerated cold storages without practice, bunches are cut with humidity controls. However, the 12- 16 cm long wands and bunches ideal is to store under temperature are placed in a box with wands in and humidity controlled conditions one side. Special high corner-posts in order to obtain longer shelf life are needed for this method. Wands and reduce loss rates. In Uzbekistan, (short wooden sticks) are inserted sulfur pads (paper) are widely © FAO / Sunnat Djalalov © FAO
Figure 29. “Plastic Bottle” method, filling water into the bottle to maintain higher humidity in the storage atmosphere to prevent moisture loss from grapes
48 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies © FAO / Sunnat Djalalov © FAO
Figure 30. “Plastic Bottle” method used in non-organic grapes but shelf life period. In case storage sulfur pads are not allowed in period is extended successfully, post-harvest handling of organic the products can be sold as out-of- products (Table 5) (Aksoy and season with higher prices. Khujabekov, 2017). Some of the fresh fruit and For fresh fruit and vegetables, vegetables cannot be stored together there are contamination risks from either because their temperature paper, wood, nails, storage room requirements are different (apples and humans (Figure 31). Storing 2-3°C; citrus fruit >10°C) or sulphur treated conventional grapes because some may release ethylene in the same room with the organic (apples, pears or tomatoes release may cause cross contamination, and ethylene whereas cherries do not) sulphur residues can be detected or aromatic compounds (apples). in organic grapes. Providing ideal Those that release ethylene gas in storage temperature, humidity and storage enhances ripening of other air flow rate conditions suitable for products causing rotting, yellowing of the species and variety affects the vegetables, leaf drop or moisture loss quality and length of storage and at an earlier stage of storage.
49 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects © FAO / Sunnat Djalalov © FAO
Figure 31. Storing pomegranate fruit in boxes
In storage rooms, spaces (narrow which is allowed in organic and cold corridors) must be left between the conditions appropriate to the variety walls and boxes to allow circulation is recommended. Optimal storage of cold air. Similarly, there should temperature range is 5-7°C; chilling be aisles between stacks. The boxes injury is possible if stored under should not be put directly on the colder temperatures. Pre-cooling is floor and either a frame should necessary to extend shelf life of fresh be placed or an empty box can be products. turned down on which other boxes are piled. Piling up pomegranates as Using boxes with labels and/or a heap on the storage floor, which separating with colors is the easiest is a general practice in Uzbekistan way to prevent mixing of organic with enhance quality loss and create non-organic in storage. Identification safety problems. Similarly, if there and labelling of the organic raw are too many layers in the box, material and applying traceability pomegranate fruit may have bruises through the chain will minimize risk due to friction during transportation. of cross contamination. Similarly, For long-term storage, modified processing organic and conventional atmosphere packaging (MAP) in separate lines or at different times
50 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
(preferably processing organic first) or biological risks. Therefore, all these or cleaning thoroughly with allowed have to be identified and prioritized cleaning agents are the necessary for each crop and case. Small farm steps to be taken. Packaging can also sizes can be a limiting factor in result in contamination therefore terms of cross contamination from packaging used at all stages must be neighboring conventional farms. checked for suitability and re-use Small farmers in the vicinity can be of bags must be strictly avoided. converted into organic as a whole As in the case of Russian Interstate to prevent any pollution risks. GOST standard on organic, there are Organic products with high quality restrictions on packaging material. and safety have the market demand. Competitiveness in the market relies Production conforming to the on quality, safety, price and their organic standards minimize chemical continuity (Figure 32). There is also contamination by limiting the use of good potential to increase organic synthetic chemicals. However, there garlic production in Uzbekistan as are other sources that may pose threat its post-harvest storage is already for safety or quality due to microbial practiced in Uzbekistan (Figure 33). © FAO / Sunnat Djalolov © FAO
Figure 32. Good quality organic walnut is ready for market
51 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects © FAO / Sunnat Djalalov © FAO
Figure 33. Storing garlic in local facilities
Uzbekistan possess high potential Thus, research, training and for organic production however knowledge dissemination has to more focus is required on product be an essential part of organic quality and safety. production at all stages.
Animal husbandry
In Uzbekistan, livestock plays an has been severely affected by the important role in the agricultural economic transition, which resulted economies. In the country, livestock in the disruption of the Soviet does not only contribute to the markets for traditional products such livelihoods of the most vulnerable as wool and pelts, fragmentation of rural sector, particularly in isolated large production units into small regions and highlands, but also and unproductive flocks/herds, played a critical role in the period the collapse of production support of transition when other sources of services and animal health control. income were substantially reduced. The productivity of the rural livestock However, livestock production industry however is low due to poor
52 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
feeding management, inadequate requirements. However, they do housing, animal diseases, poor market not have access to good quality feed access, and lack of policy support. In and they do not have information particular, in the months of May to on feed ingredients. The availability June and November to January feed of fodder is one of the limiting deficits are high and severely limit factors in animal husbandry. Unlike milk and meat production. Farmers landless systems in conventional practically do not use modern farming, organic husbandry should veterinary practices for prevention of be mainly based on the fodder animal diseases and their treatment. produced on the farm itself. As is According to the veterinary law of the case with humans, there is a Uzbekistan, especially epidemic direct link between the quantity and diseases are controlled by State composition of the food and the veterinary Control Service that health status of the animals. Organic conducts prevention and eradication livestock production demands the programs. The differentiation of integration of animal-pasture-crop typologies of livestock farms revealed production to be successfully. Organic that most of the livestock sector animal husbandry means not only (80- 95%) is concentrated among feeding organic food and avoiding landless households and smallholders synthetic food additives and synthetic who are facing problems of feed medicines (e.g. antibiotics, grow shortages, and flock and natural hormones), but also focusing on resource management. satisfying the various needs of the farm animals. There are a number There is then an urgent need to of considerations that need to be reorient and diversify production. In addressed to successful produce this case organic livestock production certified organic livestock and will be one of the options to diversify products. For example, seed can be livestock production in Uzbekistan. In treated with chemicals before planting the country, there is a good potential or crop residuals and stubbles are to produce organic meat and organic grazed after harvest, or otherwise livestock production as organic enter the food chain, they should also livestock, management practices offer be considered as livestock feed. unique challenges to the livestock producer regardless of the animal Integrating animal husbandry into species produced. Almost 100 crop producing farms is one of the percent of households in Uzbekistan principles of organic farming. In keeping their livestock close organic temperate and arid zones, animal
53 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
husbandry plays an important role in Have cultural or religious the recycling of nutrients, while less significance (prestige, emphasized in the humid tropics or ceremonies etc.). in regions where tree crops dominate. Produce young stock for breeding Animal welfare is the basis in or sale. determining rules in organic animal production. The caring, training, and The availability of organic fodder is nurturing of animals is considered an one of the limiting factors in animal art in many farming communities. husbandry. Unlike landless systems in conventional farming, organic Integrating animals into a farm help husbandry should be mainly based creating a closed or semi-closed on the fodder produced on the farm system where energy and nutrients itself. As is the case with humans, are recycled and farmers’ dependence there is a direct link between the on external inputs is minimized. quantity and composition of the food, Animals can convert non-edible housing conditions and the health biomass (e.g. grass, straw, kitchen status of the animals. waste) into food, while increasing soil fertility with their manure. If farm animals are to be productive (milk, eggs, meat etc.), it is important Many farm animals have a multi- that they get suitable food in sufficient functional role, for example: quantities. If the fodder production is limited (which usually is the case), it Produce dung, which is of great might be economically valid to keep importance for soil fertility. less animals but supply them with Yield products such as milk or sufficient food. Organic legislation eggs for sale or own consumption restricts the number of animals per continuously. unit land area. Recycle by-products such as straw or kitchen waste. The appropriate quantity and the mix Serve as draught animals for of feed items will of course depend tillage or transport. on the type of animal, but also on its Produce meat, hides, feathers, main use (e.g. chicken for meat or horns etc. egg production, cattle for milk, meat Serve, as an investment or a bank. or draft etc.). In milk production for Help in pest control (e.g. dugs) example, cows producing milk should and weed management (e.g. be given fresh grass and possibly other grazing on barren fields). feed items of sufficient protein content.
54 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
On the same diet, draught animals and appropriate measures to keep the would rapidly become exhausted. animals away from other crops must be undertaken. Grazing may lead to A balanced diet will keep an animal a lower productivity (milk, meat) in healthy and productive. Whether case not well managed but usually is or not a farm animal receives the the more favorable option concerning appropriate amount and kind of health and welfare of the animals. fodder usually can be seen by the shine of its hair or feathers. For ruminants, Shed keeping, however, has the a majority of the fodder should advantage that the dung can be easily consist of roughage (grass, leaves). collected, stored or composted and If concentrates or supplements are applied to the crops. Whether grazing used (e.g. agricultural by-products or shed feeding is the more suitable and wastes), they should not contain option will mainly depend on the growth promoters and other synthetic agro-climatic conditions, the cropping substances since they are not allowed system, and the availability of land. in organic husbandry. There are variety A combination of shed feeding and of leguminous plants rich in protein, grazing in a fenced area may be an which can be grown in the farm as ideal combination of high productivity cover crop, hedges or trees. If mineral and animal friendly husbandry. In content in the available fodder is organic farming rules, there are specific not sufficient to satisfy the animal‘s conditions for feeds, e.g. ratio of requirements, mineral salt bricks or allowed organic and non-organic feed, similar feed supplements can be used mineral and microbial feed additives, as long as they are allowed in organic. silage additives, vitamins, gelling agents, sensory additives, thickening agents In many regions, favorable periods and antioxidants. At the initial stage of with abundant fodder alternate with organic animal husbandry, non-organic less favorable periods when there is feed of known origin is allowed at a almost nothing to feed to the animals. certain share (national legislation have However, keeping animals means articles setting limits on this issue). providing fodder throughout the year. In extensive grasslands of semi-arid Fodder can be produced on the farm areas, however, grazing may be the only as grazing land or as grass or tree suitable option. crops used for cutting. In organic animal husbandry, there While grazing requires less labor than are specific requirements for housing shed feeding, more land is needed conditions and a limit for the stocking
55 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
density and the number of animals to the hens shall be available for the per unit area regarding outdoor collection of bird droppings. They and indoor management (Table 4). shall have exit/entry pop-holes of a The reason is to prevent pollution size adequate for the birds, and these and to provide enough space for each pop-holes shall have a combined animal. A farmer cannot stock high length of at least 4 m per 100 m2 area number of animals, as an example of the house available to the bird. 1 hectare is needed for 2 dairy cows. Poultry houses shall be constructed Table 5 shows the maximum stock in a manner allowing all birds’ easy density allowed and calculations are access to open air area. The total made according to the amount of N stocking density shall be such as laid down by animal dung per area. not to exceed the limit of 170 kg of Nitrogen per year and hectare For organic poultry houses, cages of agricultural area. Each poultry are not allowed. At least one third house shall not contain more than: of the floor area in the poultry house shall be solid, that is, not of i) 4 800 chickens, slatted or of grid construction, and ii) 3 000 laying hens, covered with a litter material such iii) 5 200 guinea fowl, as straw, wood shavings, sand or iv) 4 000 female Muscovy or Peking turf. For laying hens, a sufficiently ducks or 3 200 male Muscovy or large part of the floor area available Peking ducks or other ducks,
Table 4. The indoor and outdoor areas permitted for some animal species in the European Union organic farming Outdoors area Indoors area (exercise area, excluding (net area available to animals) pasturage) Live weight minimum, kg m2/head m2/head up to 100 1.5 1.1 up to 200 2.5 1.9 Breeding and fattening bovine and equidae up to 350 4.0 3 5 with a minimum 3.7 with a minimum over 350 of 1 m2/100 kg of 0.75 m2/100 kg Dairy cows 6 4.5 Bulls for breeding 10 30 1.5 sheep/goat 2.5 Sheep and goats 0.35 lamb/kid 0.5
56 Chapter II: Organic production methods and technologies
Table 5. The area required for different animal species in the European Union regulation on organic production (EC889/2008)
Maximum number of animals per ha Class or species equivalent to 170 kg N/ha/year
Equines over six months old 2 Calves for fattening 5 Other bovine animals less than one year old 5 Male bovine animals from one to less than two years old 3.3 Female bovine animals from one to less than two years old 3.3 Male bovine animals two years old or over 2 Breeding heifers 2.5 Heifers for fattening 2.5 Dairy cows 2 Cull dairy cows 2 Other cows 2.5 Female breeding rabbits 100 Ewes 13.3 Goats 13.3 Piglets 74 Breeding sows 6.5 Pigs for fattening 14 Other pigs 14 Table chickens 580 Laying hens 230 v) 2 500 capons, geese or turkeys; In most smallholder farms, fodder vi) the total usable area of poultry cultivation will compete for space houses for meat production on with the cultivation of crops. Whether any single unit, shall not exceed fodder cultivation (and thus animal 1 000 m2; husbandry) is economically more beneficial compared with crop Similar prerequisites are also present production must be assessed case by for other livestock including organic case. However, there are some options beekeeping and organic aquaculture. for integrating fodder crops in farms
57 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
without sacrificing much land. Below erosion. Degraded pastures or land are some examples: with little plant cover is difficult to re-cultivate. Therefore, it is important Grass or leguminous cover crops that the use and intensity of grazing or intercrops in tree plantations on a particular piece of land is Hedges of suitable shrubs appropriate to its production capacity. Shade or support trees Sufficient time must be given to a Grass on bunds against soil pasture to recover after grazing. erosion The reason to restrict number of Grass fallows or green manures in animals per unit area is to overcome the crop rotation overgrazing, promote plant cover as Crops with by-products such as well as preventing N pollution. For paddy straw or pea leaves organic beekeeping, an area with a diameter of 3 km has to be certified The management of pastures is crucial as organic based upon the average for a good herd management. It is distance bees can fly. also important to practice appropriate management throughout the year. Fencing of areas and rotation of There are many different types of the grazing animals on several grasses, and every climatic region has pieces of land is the best option for grasses, which are specifically adapted managing the farm and the overall to the conditions. In some cases it may landscape. Creating “grazing cells” be worth considering to till the grazing restores overgrazed pastures, reduce site and sow grass varieties that are the incidence of intestinal parasites more appropriate to the animals’ needs. encountered while the animals graze, and increase land productivity. Overgrazing is probably the most The intensity and timing of grazing, significant threat to grassland. as well as the cutting of the grass Once the protective grass cover is will influence the varieties of plants destroyed, the top soil is prone to growing in the pasture.
58
Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Marketing Status, practices and prospects 3 © FAO / Muslimbek Tulanov Tulanov / Muslimbek © FAO General overview of world and 1 Uzbekistan organic agriculture
Organic production 2 methods and technologies
3 Marketing
Regulatory framework on 4 organic food and farming
Organic agriculture 5 development conference
6 Conclusion
7 References
8 Annexes Chapter III: Marketing
Current situation on world markets for organic products
emand for organic food was in North America, which production is increasing now accounts for over half of from year to year, as number international sales (Sahota 2017). Dof farmers producing organic food have expanded exponentially According to the FIBL research of in recent years, so too could the 2017, in 2015 among the rapidly markets for many neglected foods growing organic products all and for the produce of organic food over the world; the traditional systems. Consumption of organic products of the countries such as products has been growing rapidly tea, rice and spices in India; milk, for the last years in developed dairy products in Denmark; meat countries. Accordingly, the demand and meat products in Argentina, for raw materials is growing as well. banana in Central America and Since the early 1990s, organic food African countries; dates in Tunisia; sales have increased by 50% and sales olive oil, dried and hard-shell fruits continue to grow while organic fruit in Turkey, have stood up as top and vegetables have been growing organically produced products. the fastest compared to other organic The number of producers engaged products in agriculture. in organic production are more than 2.4 million. About 35% of Organic foods still comprise 1-2% these producers are in Asia, 30% in of total global food sales with Africa and 19% in Latin America. gradually increasing turnover in India is leading with 585 200 the consumer markets in developed producers followed by 203 602 countries (El-Hage Scialabba and producers in Ethiopia and 200 039 Hattam 2002; Sahota, 2017). The producers in Mexico (FIBL, 2017) highest share of organic food sales is 8.4% of the market in Denmark. “The global market for organic In US retail food market, the share production have been increased five- of organic is 5% dominated by fresh fold between 1999 and 2013. In 2013, produce. Sahota (2017) reported global sales of organic food and drink that global sales of organic food and had reached $72 billion, with Europe drink expanded by about 10 percent and the United States driving 90 reaching to 81.6 billion US dollars percent of the world’s sales. Indeed, in 2015, whereas, it was 17.9 billion the United States has the largest dollars in 2000. The highest growth appetite for organic produce by some
61 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
distance with sales amounting to just euros). In 2013 official market data under $27 billion in 2013. Germany is was for the first time ever published in second position with $8.3 billion. for China (2.4 billion euros), making Demand is still strong across the the country the fourth biggest organic European Union as a whole”. https:// market in the world and in 2015, www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/. reaching to a market size of 4.7 billion FIBL 2017 survey reported that Euros (Figure 34). The highest per Organic Monitor, a market research capita spending was in Switzerland company estimates the global market (262 euros) followed by Denmark and for organic products in 2015 to have Sweden near 200 Euros. reached 75.7 billion euros. North America is the leading market with Although the market for organic 38.6 billion Euros (51%) followed by product grows, it appears the Europe with 29.8 billion Euros (39%) organic sector is unconcerned and Asia total 6.3 billion Euros (8%). about competing standard setters As single countries, the United States and brands making claims market is listed top with 35.8 billion on sustainability (Willer and euros, followed by Germany (8.6 Kilcher, 2011). This position is billion euros) and France (5.5 billion strengthened by the protection
Spain 1.5
Sweden 1.7
Switzerland 2.2
Italy 2.3
Un. Kingdom 2.6
Canada 2.8
China 4.7
France 5.5
Germany 8.6
United States 35.8
0510 15 20 25 30 35 40
Figure 34. The total retail sales in World’s largest markets for organic products, billion Euros
62 Chapter III: Marketing
that the EU, USA, and other The sector perceives larger threats countries’ regulations provide to its growth from policies that to the organic name and thus favor GMOs and the agrochemical supports consumer confidence. industry.
Supply chain in Uzbekistan
It is important to note that Uzbekistan their products and traditional farming is currently increasing production of enterprises and dehkan farms. Not only fresh vegetable and fruits as well as consumers are insufficiently aware, but dried produce for the export markets. also most producers do not have a clear Russian bazars, which lose market understanding about which product share to supermarkets very quickly, should be considered as organic, how to are the major market for Uzbekistan’s name the product and which standards vegetable and fruits now. Unless it should meet. serious fundamental policy changes are made in Uzbekistan, this situation At the same time, the consumer is unlikely to change. market for high quality foods has increased noticeably in Uzbekistan Currently, there is no local market for and the market for goods labeled as organic food in Uzbekistan. Primarily, “organic” is one of promising areas in this is due to the fact that, consumers the development of agriculture and are not fully informed about organic consumer market in the Republic of products. Uzbekistan has drafted law Uzbekistan. on organic agriculture and is going to adopt to set up a legal framework Uzbekistan’s ultimate goal is to that regulates relations in the field supply safe and nutritious food of organic agriculture and organic items for its citizens in the long-term food production as well as forms and span. For this reason, increasing methods of control over the production agricultural production for the and labeling of such products. Another growing population seems to be serious challenge that hampers the inevitable, however sustainable development of organic farming and intensification must be provided. In organic food production are low level addition, policies to improve living of awareness of most market players conditions and welfare in agricultural about the difference between organic sector and rural areas, supplying farming enterprises, dehkan farms and farm commodities to customers in
63 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
reasonable prices, and increasing retailers, supermarkets, and smaller the value added by processing and grocery stories have started to open marketing companies are also among new branches in different cities and the priorities of the Government. towns depending on their population and consuming potentials. However, Because organic and fair trade no certified organic products were certified commodities in Uzbekistan encountered in these markets. This is (peanuts, chickpeas, cherries, bee partly because of the higher prices and berries, mulberries, almonds, flax lower purchasing power of domestic seed, sesame seeds) have been consumers and because all organic produced as export oriented and on production is performed under a contracting base, there seems to be contracts. Much work needs be done more marketing opportunities also in to introduce domestic consumers with the domestic market in the future. The certified organic products and develop price of organic products, exported the domestic market. from Uzbekistan, varies largely, but generally ranges from 20 to 30 percent There is lack of modern storage and above the price for conventional processing facilities meeting the products, but can sometimes reach requirements for organic products 100 percent (Personal communication and allowing stable supplies and with private organic product exporter longer marketing periods. For in Uzbekistan). If the organic system organic products, all the facilities being established in Uzbekistan is where the food is stored and introduced to the world organic processed must have the required community, and organic products of qualifications. No non-organic Uzbekistan origin are presented in products or inorganic ingredients international fairs and expos, more and material that may cause companies will raise their interested in contamination should be stored in making contracts with Uzbek farmers. these facilities or strictly monitored and separated. For this reason, In big cities, such as Tashkent, buildings where organic products Samarkand, and Bukhara, there are stored, processing facilities, are modern marketing bazaars for ingredients used, equipment, agricultural products. In smaller product packaging, and final cities and districts, these products products storage buildings must are mostly sold in local bazars where all meet specific standards valid sometimes producers sell their in Uzbekistan and those stated in own products directly. Mainstream reference organic standards.
64 Chapter III: Marketing
The availability of significant land such as electricity blackouts, lack of and other natural resources, as well fresh water for household use and as possessing the traditional culture irrigation, and lack of transportation of land cultivation without the use possibilities, the Government is of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides trying to make every effort to develop provide huge opportunities for rural infrastructure. One of the market development. Moreover, the opportunities of developing rural centuries-old values of the Uzbek areas, increasing rural livelihoods, people, who have historically lived improving the living conditions in harmony with nature, created of rural people, and providing a public relations that are adequate to sustainable rural life in the long-term the system of ecological crop and span is to utilize the unique climatic livestock farming. and natural characteristics of the region. Organic agriculture appear as a Samarkand region has steppe mean of utilizing these characteristics climate with hot, dry summers and in Samarkand region. As more farmers cold winters. Because of low-level involve in organic agriculture, rural industrialization and urbanizations people, rural women, rural youth, in the rural areas, soils are not and other stakeholders such as contaminated with chemicals. Air processors, marketing companies, and pollution is not a major problem, governmental agencies will benefit either. Farming activities are closely from this situation. related to nature and family farms represent the main socioeconomic Pearls of Samarkand, a private structure of the rural life style. All over company, initiated organic fair- the world, many organic farmers share trade products in Uzbekistan. their rural life experience or local Pearls of Samarkand is really a specialties with urban people through pioneer in Uzbekistan to develop integrating agro-tourism into their organic sector. Considering the farms. These may be limited to serving information gained from the local food or specialty products or may interviews conducted with the have accommodation and tracking or experts of this Company, the basic other sports facilities. Although people value chain of their activities living in rural areas trying to make is simply shown in Figure 35. their living from agriculture, income Pearl of Samarkand is an export- generated from non-agricultural oriented company connecting sources may play an important role. Samarkand farmers with Austrian Rural areas may face some problems companies through farmers’
65 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Figure 35. The current organic value chain established by private companies in Uzbekistan
cooperatives. Farmers producing collectively in reasonable prices, mostly peanuts, chickpeas, and to make collective contract cherries, bee berries, mulberries, with processing and marketing almonds, flax seed, and sesame companies. Pearl of Samarkand is seed around Samarkand region the domestic contracting company, have established their member- which get technical assistance owned cooperatives to purchase and certification support through inputs and sell their commodities the foreign importer company
66 Chapter III: Marketing
(Boz, 2017). It also provides for standardization, products training and advisory service to are stored, and then exported cooperative members who are the to the Austrian company. The producer farmers. Training and Company applies proper packing advisory services are to ensure for the products and send them to that farmers apply the suggested mainstream retailers to make them practices and regulations, which available for consumers. are predetermined for organic and fair-trade certifications. Domestic consumption is also very Pre-production input supply is important to develop a sustainable provided to the contracted farmers. production system and value chain Once commodities are produced, for the export markets (Figure 36). To the post-harvest practices are develop a long-lived domestic market also carried out according to for organic products, first, there must organic and fair-trade rules and be sufficient number of consumers regulations. Harvested products purchasing organic products and the are transported to storage house of product quality, range and price must Pearl of Samarkand. After proper satisfy their demand. In Uzbekistan, sizing and quality classification however, there is a lack of domestic
Figure 36. Production and certification process according to the standards required for organic products to be sold at the domestic and/or international markets
67 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
consumers and lack of awareness. In information about organic addition, the following limitations are products observed during the interviews: Lack of distribution channels between producers and consumers Lack of supermarkets selling Lack of data collection and organic products keeping system about organic Lack of regional organic bazaars products, and all stakeholders Lack of sustainable supply involved in organic products’ Lack of awareness and distribution and marketing stages. © FAO / Malokhat Shagaeva © FAO 68 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Regulatory framework on Status, practices and prospects organic food and farming 4 © FAO / Malokhat Shagaeva © FAO General overview of world and 1 Uzbekistan organic agriculture
Organic production 2 methods and technologies
3 Marketing
Regulatory framework on 4 organic food and farming
The Declaration of the International 5 Conference on Development of Organic Agriculture in Central Asia, Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 22-24 August 2017
6 Conclusion
7 References
8 Annexes Chapter IV: Regulatory framework on organic food and farming
International and national legislation on implementing rules, labelling and use of the logo ccording to the data of 2015, legislation or in data collection since 88 countries have their own different standards are applied in these regulations governing organic two subsectors. Aagriculture out of 179 countries where certified organic farming The scope of the Codex Alimentarius is practiced with data collection. standard on organic agriculture Almost in all countries having a (CAC/GL 32-1999 Guidelines for the legislation on organic agriculture, Production, Processing, Labelling and there is a competent authority, Marketing of Organically Produced which is mostly the ministry of Foods (latest revision available is in agriculture. Furthermore, other 2013) (www.codexalimentarius.net) aspects of the organic system as take account of a) unprocessed plants the authorization of control bodies, and plant products, livestock and inspection and certification, rules livestock products to the extent that the for implementation, import-export principles of production and specific requirements, allowed inputs, inspection rules (in Annexes 1 and 3) substances and methods, market and b) processed agricultural crop and surveillance, and fraudulence charges livestock products intended for human are all stated within the regulatory consumption derived from (a) above. framework. “Organic” is a labelling term that In countries with the legislation denotes products that have been on organic agriculture, the first produced in accordance with organic difference may occur in respect to production standards and certified by the scope of the legislation. Organic a duly constituted certification body farming (agricultural food and non- or authority. “Organic” is accepted food products) and food production as synonymous to ‘ecological’ and (including processing) is common in “biological”. The organic principles all, whereas some may additionally and rules should be applied on the include wild harvest, aquaculture, farm during a conversion period of beekeeping, mushroom, yeast at least two years before sowing, or production, or seaweed production. in the case of perennial crops other Organic textiles (e.g. Global Organic than grassland, at least three (3) years Textiles Standards) and cosmetics before the first harvest of products. are generally excluded in national The conversion period may only begin
71 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Standards on organic agriculture may undergo frequent changes so please check for the final version from the below listed useful links:
1. www.codexalimentarius.net/OFFICIAL STANDARDS/Official Codex standards/List/CAC/GL s32 (Codex Alimentarius standard); 2. www.ams.usda.gov/nop (USA standards on organic); 3. www.maff.go.jp/soshiki/syokuhin/hinshitu/organic (Japanese standards on organic); 4. www.gost.ru (Russian and Interstate organic standards); 5. http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex (EU standards on organic); 6. www.organic.rules.org (general for organic standards)
when a production unit is under an endeavor to facilitate the development inspection system. Due to the WTO/ of quality organic standards and TBT agreement, Codex standards certification worldwide, and to have become much more significant in provide an international guarantee international trade. Member countries of those standards and certification. signed on to WTO are obliged to The IFOAM norms are generally accept the Codex international respected as the international standard in case of disputes. guidelines for elaboration of national standards and inspection systems, The sources that are specifically and they are often used as a reference devoted to organic agriculture by standard setters and legislators. comprise intergovernmental approved guidelines (such as those Governments are generally slow to elaborated by the Codex Alimentarius draft legislation to set these standards, Commission), as well as standards however; the first such legislation developed by international civil society organizations (such as appeared at state level in Oregon IFOAM). and California in the United States, in 1974 and 1979, respectively. The Codex Alimentarius Guidelines Consumers created a persistent on organically produced food are demand for organic agriculture and an authoritative source meant to beginning in the 1980s, local and provide assistance to governments national governments responded wishing to develop national organic to the enlarging markets by setting agriculture legislation. The IFOAM up regulatory frameworks with Organic Guarantee System is a private legislation on organic agriculture.
72 Chapter IV: Regulatory framework on organic food and farming
In the European Union, the first at federal level for all US organic legislation on organic farming Council products. Up through the 1990s, Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 defined and before any national standards the use of certain plant protection were implemented, a patchwork of products, fertilizers, soil conditioners, State legislation existed regarding as well as certain non-organic feed organic agriculture, with 17 states materials, feed additives and feed requiring certification for products processing aids and certain products labelled organic by the late 1990s. used for cleaning and disinfection. Thirteen other States had some type Later, livestock production was of regulation (although some had included in the scope in 1999. This first very minimal standards) that did regulation went through a thorough not require third-party certification revision and led to the regulations (1) or inspection but each had their Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, which own certifiers. “National Organic lay down basic requirements and it is Program” issued in 2000 is the act further completed by (2) Regulation governing organic agriculture at (EC) No 889/2008 of 5 September federal level in the United States. 2008 laying down detailed rules It should be mentioned here that for the implementation of Council contrary to the EU laws, there is no Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on closed list of allowed substances in the organic production and labelling National Organic Program; instead, of organic products with regard to the legislation states that “synthetic organic production, labelling and substances” are generally prohibited, control (3) Council Regulation while “non-synthetic substances” are (EC) No 1235/2008 of 8 December generally allowed with few exceptions 2008 laying down detailed rules for in both cases. In the EU legislation, implementation of Council Regulation there are only “positive lists” stating (EC) No 834/2007 as regards the the inputs and other substances arrangements for imports of organic allowed for use, whereas US legislation products from third countries (4) has both “positive” allowed products In 2010, with EC 271/2010 of 24 and ‘negative’ list for prohibited ones. March 2010 on the use of the EU Despite this difference in the format, logo, leaf shaping white stars on green the range of authorized substances background became compulsory. is similar in the USA and in Europe. The transition period is three years In 1990, USDA was mandated through for all plant products in US but in the the Organic Foods Production Act EU, it varies as 2 years for annuals and (OFPA) to establish a national act 3 years for perennials.
73 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
US/European Union Equivalency per Article 13 and Annex V of Arrangement (NOP/EU) became Commission Regulation (EC) must effective from 1 June 2012. A “two-way” accompany EU No. import-export agreement whereby products certified to either country’s All EU organic products exported organic program can be represented to the US under the NOP/EU and sold as organic in either country Equivalency Arrangement must be except those listed in Table 9. Country accompanied by an “NOP Import of Product Origin: The arrangement is Certificate”. This document must limited to organic products of EU or US be completed by the exporter and origin. This includes products that have approved by the EU Accredited been either (1) produced within the US Certification Body certifying the or the EU or (2) products whose final product as organic. Labeling Rules: processing or packaging occurs within NOP and EU logos may be used on the US or EU. Products processed or products originating in either country packaged in the US or EU that contain for products with 95% or more organic ingredients from foreign content that is organic. sources that have been legally imported as organic into the US or into the EU In the United States, the Secretary are also covered by the arrangement. of Agriculture, assisted by the Scope of Arrangement includes all Administrator for the Agricultural organic products of agricultural origin Market Service, is responsible included within the scope of the USDA- for the approval and supervision NOP and EU Regulations with the of certification bodies. Once the exception of aquaculture. Certification certification bodies are approved, and Paper Work: Certification/ they can inspect and certify organic Attestation of compliance with the NOP products according to NOP in and or EU organic regulations by an different parts of the world. In NOP or EU accredited certifying body European Union, all certification is a common requirement for both bodies must be accredited according countries. to ISO 17065 before applying for authorization to the EU. For The US organic products exported certifying organic production in non- to the EU under the NOP/ a EU countries (except those listed “Certificate of Inspection for Import in the third country list or those of products from Organic product accepted as equivalent) certification into the European Community” bodies have to be authorized. Based (the Certificate of Inspection’) as upon EC 1235/2008 regulation, EU
74 Chapter IV: Regulatory framework on organic food and farming
Table 6. Limitations in equivalency between organic agriculture of the USA and the EU
Products Exported to the United States of America Products Exported to the European Union
1. Agricultural products derived from animals treated with antibiot- Organic crops produced using antibiotics (streptomycin for fire ics may not be exported to the USA blight control in apples and pears) may not be exported to the EU
2. Organic aquatic animals (e.g. fish, shellfish) may not be exported
to the USA announces the certification bodies to seek authorization of any foreign authorized to perform certification certification body for a specific within the specified scope (e.g. plant non-EU country. As an example, production, processing, livestock an accredited certifying body also etc.) according to the EU regulation authorized by the EU, may have the EC 834/2007 in third countries. right to do certification according to Thus, this list is very frequently the EU regulation in Kyrgyzstan but modified therefore the latest for Uzbekistan, they may not have available version has to be checked authorization (Figure 37).
Figure 37. Inspection and certification of organic operators and accreditation and authorization of inspection and certification bodies proposed for Uzbekistan
75 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Currently, Russia has three GOST to ensure ongoing compliance with standards for organic and one more the National Standard and importing for interstate GOST of the Eurasian country requirements. AQIS- Union that will take effect as of 2018 approved certifying organizations as follows: thus perform certification and inspection services, while AQIS 1. GOST R 56104-2014 “Organic itself verifies the aptitude of the food products. Terminologies and certification organizations (The Definitions”; Australian Organic Industry: A 2. GOST R 56508-2015 “Products Profile, 2004). of organic production. Rules of production, storage, A product may be labeled “organic” transportation” (“bio”, “eco”) only after the issuance 3. GOST R 57022-2016 “Products of of the certificate by the accredited organic production. Procedure for and authorized certification bodies voluntary certification of organic after successful completion of the production”; transition period. In the world 4. GOST 33980-2016 Interstate market, developed countries are the Standard “Products of organic main markets for certified products production. Rules for production, with more than 95 percent of sales, processing, marking and sale” but there is a rapid increase in some approved by Russia, Kyrgyzstan other countries such as China, and Tajikistan. Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Russia and Egypt. Also a draft federal law “On Similarly, the EU member countries production and circulation of organic account for the bulk of the European products (products of organic market (more than 90 percent), but production) and on amendments in increases occurred in non-European certain legislative acts of the Russian countries as well. Every country Federation” is under consideration by defines its strengths and advantages the State Duma (Edwardovich, 2017). in developing organic production and/or markets. In Europe, Finland In Australia, the Export Control is the world leader with the largest Orders (Organic Produce area from where organic products are Certification) charge the Australian harvested from nature; on the other Quarantine and Inspection Service hand, Liechtenstein has the largest (AQIS) with conducting audits of share of certified land and Germany authorized certification organizations the biggest market volume.
76 Chapter IV: Regulatory framework on organic food and farming
The recognition that organic many European governments agriculture could help countries do. Viewing organic food as achieve environmental objectives differentiated product, created by further encouraged governments using and ecological production to adopt agri-environmental laws system, suggest that a government to promote organic farming (e.g. should only regulate if there is 1992 reform of the European concern about consumers being Community’s Common Agricultural able to identify the product as Policy). The only policy common to “organic” or to reduce transaction both the EU and US is government- costs of doing business, which defined organic standards, which the approach is taken by the US provide information to buyers about Government. International trade the unobservable characteristic, law is also very relevant when “organic”. At this point, the drafting national legislation on commonalities in major policies organic agriculture: there are two between the two regions disappear. WTO instruments that are most The EU has a wide variety of relevant for national laws, namely policies designed to increase the GATT and the TBT Agreement. amount of land farmed organically. Although the exact implications of Keeping with their notion that these WTO agreements for national organic farming provides benefits to or regional legislation on organic society. The program includes green agriculture are not always clear, three payments (subsidies), demand side general remarks can nonetheless be policies, and land targets for organic made. The WTO principle of non- production. The US funding for discrimination implies that national organic production and marketing legislation on organic agriculture has been limited, and although new needs to be drafted and applied in programs have recently emerged, an origin neutral manner so as not government efforts have resulted to discriminate, neither de jure nor from intensive lobbying by the de facto, between organic products organic industry, unlike in the EU, originating in different WTO where the governments actively members or against these in favor of support organic agriculture. domestically-produced ones (i.e. in application of the principles of MFN Viewing organic agriculture as and national treatment). In addition, providing public goods offers and organic regulations and standards economic rationale for government shall not be adopted or applied with intervention in the market, which a view to creating “unnecessary
77 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
obstacles to international trade”, of ex-ante and ex-post transparency and thus must not be more trade- requirements on the development restrictive than necessary to fulfil of national or regional organic laws, their stated legitimate objectives. whether enacted as mandatory Lastly, WTO law imposes a series regulations or voluntary standards.
Draft law on organic agriculture in Uzbekistan
For agricultural commodity is insufficient to check the finished producers to engage in organic product to determine the safety of farming and manufacturing organic organic goods. Certification bases agricultural and food products in on conformity of inspection of the Uzbekistan, especially for export, whole production to the reference there is a need to develop the legislation. organic system in the Republic of Uzbekistan, which should develop Despite the rapid developments of procedures align with the national organic and other certified quality and international requirements and assurance systems in the European build trust for the buyers. Union, United States, Japan, China, Russia, Turkey and other many Control bodies that carry out other countries, their development inspection and/or certification in Uzbekistan remains relatively functions rely not only on the slow. There is an urgent need to national standard but also on develop regulatory framework for international standards as that of the sustainable agricultural systems by importing countries. International harmonizing national legislation standards on organic contain clear with international standards bans of using artificially created and procedures and by adopting chemical fertilizers, products based these systems for commodities on genetically modified organisms, possessing potential, such as plant growth regulators, animal cotton, wheat, fruit, nuts and fattening stimulators or antibiotics. vegetables as well as for beekeeping No “chemicals” (except those and wild-product harvesting. allowed in the standards) including In addition, income-generating artificial coloring agents, flavors, opportunities exist, especially for preservatives, antioxidants, or women, in organic fiber processing thickeners may be used in organic (e.g. cotton, silk), non-wood forest food production. Furthermore, it product, sun-dried fruit, vegetable
78 Chapter IV: Regulatory framework on organic food and farming
and herb processing. Thus, harvests The goals of these two legislative from wild areas and on-farm acts clearly state the objective of processing will address issues such developing aforementioned clearly as sustainable natural resource correspond to the objective of management and empowerment of developing a new organic legislation rural women. in Uzbekistan in the coming years. Because these legal acts represent In Uzbekistan, there are individuals/ an important national strategy institutions who had been for development of sustainable participating in organic agriculture- agricultural policies and resources related activities. As reported by management in Uzbekistan. These some of the importing countries, regulations can also serve as a organic products are already basis for development of organic available in Uzbekistan certified production in Uzbekistan. according to the legislation valid in the importing countries. Some The concept of “organic product” was introduced into Uzbek legislation donor agencies active in Uzbekistan’s by State Standard of the Republic of agriculture had also attempts Uzbekistan O’z DSt 3084:2016 “Organic to promote organic farming by Agricultural and Food Products. application of elements and practices Terms and Definitions” developed by in farmers’ fields. There are projects the Center for Standardization under already implemented with financial the Ministry of Agriculture and Water support from the United States, Resources. It was approved jointly Germany and South Korea. with the Agency for Standardization, Metrology and Certification of The Resolution of the President the Republic of Uzbekistan (No. of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 05-765 dated May 31, 2016). The PP-2460 dated December 29, 2015 aforementioned legal act includes 50 “On measures to further reform terms and definitions with respect to and develop agriculture in 2016- organic agricultural and food products, 2020”; The Resolution of the Cabinet such as organic agriculture, organic of Ministers of the Republic of production, organic food, genetically Uzbekistan No. 251 dated August 29, modified organisms (GMOs), humus, 2015 “On approval of the concept fertilizers, etc. and complex of measures to ensure healthy nutrition of the population of Based on studies and analysis, Uzbekistan in 2015-2020”. it should be noted that since the
79 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Law “On Organic Agriculture and Development and adoption of Production System” and relevant the Law “On Organic Agriculture legislative framework is not yet and Production System” with adopted, the efficient implementation the participation of all public and development of organic and private stakeholders and agriculture and organic production other related parties, which are limited with: will clearly define the tasks and responsibilities of all involved The lack of systems of ministries and agencies; coordination, standardization, Development of State standards certification and control of possessing implementation organic production; rules, independent accreditation The need for establishing an and certification bodies and effective system of registration surveillance system in the field and authorization for organic of organic agriculture and food agriculture producers; production; The lack of successfully Establishment of the State system established marketing system; for registration of production The uncertainty regarding a entities; production, processing, single coordinating State body import and export of organic responsible for development of products and surveillance; organic legislation and a system of Creation of domestic organic organic agricultural production; markets and export of organic The need for adopting national products to foreign markets on policy guidelines and strategies in the basis of efficiency of scientific the field of organic agriculture and and practical aspects of specific production; and proposals and recommendations; The creation of market marking Development and adoption of “logo” for trade of organic national policy guidelines and agricultural products. strategies in the field of organic agriculture and production; International experience and best Development of “logo” for organic international practice show that the agricultural products; following necessary steps should be Adoption of a regulation taken at the initial stage to address governing the activities of the the aforementioned deficiencies and special Interdepartmental working to ensure the development of organic group responsible for developing production: and adopting a national system
80 Chapter IV: Regulatory framework on organic food and farming
Preliminary draft Law “On Organic Agriculture and Production System” A preliminary draft Law “On Organic Agriculture and Production System” has been developed based on international standards in the framework of the FAO project TCP/UZB/3501: “Institutional capacity building to develop organic agriculture and to promote Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) in Uzbekistan”. The draft is based on the IFOAM Basic Standards and the Codex Alimentarius Guidelines. The draft Law contains 47 articles divided into 7 chapters, which include: (i) general provisions (scope, objectives, principles, and definitions); (ii) governance (competence of the Cabinet of Ministers, MAWR, and other bodies); (iii) rules of organic production; (iv) certification; (v) marking of organic products; (vi) import/export; (vii) enforcement. The draft Law “On Organic Agriculture and Production System” includes:
purpose, goal and principles; key definitions and terms in organic production; institutional organization; requirements for production of organic products; rules for growing crops and livestock; rules for processing; prohibitions or restrictions on the use of certain substances or production methods, etc.; conversion (transformation); marketing and marking of organic products, creation of a national organic logo; system of certification of organic products, including group certification maintaining a register of organic farming producers; export / import of organic products; measures of State support for organic producers; discrepancy / violation of rules.
and relevant legislation in the information and knowledge on field of organic agriculture and ISO17065 Accreditation which production, including the Law is the basic requirement for the “On Organic Agriculture and international control and certification Production System”. of organic and Global GAP products, however, they have noted that due to UZStandard plays a key role in their current structure they do not the establishment of the national have the Mutual (or Multilateral) inspection and certification system. Recognition Arrangements (MRAs/ UZStandard has the necessary MLAs). They are making efforts
81 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
for a structural modification and accreditation bodies for different for obtaining the MRAs/MLAs. standards and that they have been In addition, they are working in conducting accreditation activities coordination with international through TURKAK and SNAS.
Private standards on or accompanying organic products
Based upon the demand of the legislation of the producer and markets, private standards are importer country. Therefore, there developed by companies, farmer is no equivalency between these two groups or associations. Some of quality standards. these standards are putting forth specific conditions above the The organic standards, whether national legislation that set up the official or private are more borderline or add a complementary restrictive in terms of inputs feature mostly in respect to social and methods allowed, however and ethical values. Some of these national organic legislations standards can be named as Demeter generally do not cover social issues for biodynamic, Naturland, Bioland, or environmental policies and Global-GAP, Geographic indications leave it to the national laws and (especially in Europe) or Fairtrade, regulations. On the other hand, which are all inspected and certified consumers in developing countries according to different standards. The are becoming more interested in retail chains, especially in Europe, transparent value chains and local continue to endorse Global-GAP products. Market demands tend at wholesale level to show their towards multi-certification such support for the environment and as organic products labelled also food safety. At national level, many with geographic indications or countries have issued regulations fair trade. Fairtrade started mainly based on GAP and documentation in commodities as tea, cacao and of the inputs and methods utilized. coffee, where products of millions GAP whether based on nationally of farmers were processed/ sold by developed legislation or the only few companies. The aim was worldwide-accepted Global GAP, is to have transparent value chains different from organic. GAP allows and fair sharing of the benefits the use of synthetic fertilizers and among actors including farmers. pesticides, irradiation and GMO Fairtrade product market has in case approved by the national reached to 7.3 billion Euros with
82 Chapter IV: Regulatory framework on organic food and farming
a largest share in Europe (79% Having too many standards all for one of the Fairtrade market). They product all requiring inspection and have their own market share and certification creates discussions both specialized stores, the leading about its complexity and about cost. country in retail sales being United To obtain a balanced and Kingdom with 2 193 million Euros, comprehensive assessment of followed by Germany (978 mio voluntary standards and certification, Euros) and US (917 mio Euros) FAO invited stakeholders from a (Fairtrade International, 2016) in wide array of institutions to attend in 2015. In UK, the organic market their personal capacity such as farmer value is reported as 2 604 million organizations, private companies Euros (FIBL survey, 2017). In the including leading food multinationals, markets, more products that are government agencies, donors, aid organic are sold also certified as agencies, consumer associations, trade unions, research institutes, certification fair trade especially those from bodies, standard-setting organizations developing countries. The “Vegan and many NGOs active in sustainable Organic” is also a private standard agriculture. Experts of the Raw that limits the use of all animal Materials, Tropical, moderated inputs and livestock production. sessions and Horticultural Products The market is also enlarging in UK Service (ESCR) of FAO, many of especially among consumers who whom have been working on issues are more concerned about more related to environmental and social land in Europe being allocated certification and have been monitoring to monocultures of feed and markets for certified products since fodder production for animals. 1999. The service has also developed It can be seen as an opportunity close working relationships with where perennial fruit and nuts or some of the leading NGOs in the field wild collection without animal such as the International Federation integration are predominant. of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the Fairtrade Labelling Geographic indication which is more Organizations International (FLO), related to the supreme quality linked to Social Accountability International the local variety, prevailing ecological (SAI) for the SA-8000 standard and conditions or traditional processing the Sustainable Agriculture Network/ methods are important in the Rainforest Alliance. These NGOs European organic market primarily for have developed an umbrella wine, olive oil and cheese. organization ISEAL.
83 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Related Uzbekistan legislation
Organic farming and food for organic products where production generally have chemicals are forbidden. its own legislation however many other national policies, The laws in Uzbekistan provide laws and secondary legislation and encourage foreigner in Uzbekistan as well as the investments in various structures. one of the importer country The laws define the types of effect organic production and entities in which foreigners marketing. For example the can invest, the conditions legislation on quarantine, plant governing repatriation of profits protection measures, food safety and earnings, and the general laws (e.g. maximum allowed rights and guarantees of foreign levels for contaminants as heavy investors. The Laws on Foreign metals, microbial contamination Investments and on Guarantees or mycotoxins), certification, and Measures for the Protection data collection, registry systems of Rights of Foreign Investors for farmers and animals, adopted on 30 April 1998, the collection of wild products from “Foreign Investment Laws”, forests, processing, packaging, provide the legal framework for environmental or social (working foreign investment in Uzbekistan. conditions, safety and security of the workers) regulations, customs The main criteria for foreigner regulations, certification systems, investments are: quality control standards, market surveillance measures at wholesale Charter capital is 150 thousands and retail levels are some to name. USD or more; This legislative framework is being At least one of the participants is a scrutinized currently for aligning foreign legal entity, and to the international standards. Foreign investor(s) own at least Thus, it is recommended that 30% of the total charter capital. once organic law is enforced other complementing legislation must The implementation of charter go through in depth evaluation. capital differentiates between regions For example, if the quarantine law in Uzbekistan such as Republic of obliges chemical fumigation for Karakalpakstan and Khorezm region. pest control, it has to be aligned The minimum charter capital to meet
84 Chapter IV: Regulatory framework on organic food and farming
the criteria for such enterprises shall of Uzbekistan. Another important be 75 thousands USD as opposed to issue is depending on charter the above standard minimum limit. capital, privileges provided by UZG This measure is intended to stimulate such as taxation discount, taxation investment to these distant regions protection against fluctuation etc. © FAO / Malokhat Shagaeva © FAO 85 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects © FAO / Malokhat Shagaeva © FAO 86 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Organic agriculture Status, practices and prospects development conference 5 © FAO / Hotam Muhammadiev / Hotam © FAO General overview of world and 1 Uzbekistan organic agriculture
Organic production 2 methods and technologies
3 Marketing
Regulatory framework on 4 organic food and farming
The Declaration of the International Conference on 5 Development of Organic Agriculture in Central Asia, Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 22-24 August 2017
6 Conclusion
7 References
8 Annexes Chapter V. Organic agriculture development conference
The Declaration of the International Conference on Development of Organic Agriculture in Central Asia, Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 22-24 August 2017
he Sub-regional office of overcoming of technical barriers to the Food and Agricultural international trade. The Conference Organization of the participants wish to declare that TUnited Nations for Central Asia the following issues were raised as (FAOSEC) in cooperation with the prerequisites to develop organic Ministry of Agriculture and Water agriculture at national and regional Resources of Uzbekistan organized levels. Solutions on these issues can be an International Conference on found on a much shorter time scale Development of Organic Agriculture through cooperation among Central in Central Asia during 22-24 August Asian and neighboring countries. 2017 within the framework of the FAO project TCP/UZB/3501 in The worldwide statistics show the Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan. trends on higher increase rates in organic production systems compared One hundred twenty participants, to conventional methods; however, the including scientists, agriculture rate of increase in the demand exceeds and extension specialists, farmers supply. In this respect, the world and policy makers from more than organic market is dominated mainly 20 countries of North Africa, Europe, by developed countries. Central Middle east-Central and South Asia Asian countries are located in a very attended in this Conference with the strategical location providing access to aims of: exchange knowledge and best the eastern and western markets. They practices to raise public awareness possess suitable climatic conditions, for the development of organic labor availability and are rich in production in Central Asia with regard biodiversity. These countries are major to the latest scientific and practical producers of various commodities advances as well as improvement of as fruit and vegetables, cotton, nuts, legislation and regulatory documents pulses, oil seeds, wild harvested on organic production, whole supply plants, honey, livestock production chain (quality, production, processing and other products. Organic and marketing), integration of farming through its requirement regional agricultural economics on crop rotation is contributing to with international requirements and food security and through its eco
89 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
production to the quality and safety organic agriculture systems of consumed products. Organic addressing climate change issues. production is seen as an opportunity to reach to international markets We, as Conference participants, through sustainable intensification of support that enhanced regional Central Asian agriculture. Additional cooperation through involvement certification systems especially those of FAO and national governments targeting social aspects as the Fair are required to solve these problems Trade help to build export markets. and develop a sustainable organic agriculture movement in Central In the Conference, the key problems Asia. Activities focusing on exchange identified as barriers to development of experts, organizing of training of organic agriculture in the Region programs for farmers, processors and and disseminated to all related parties traders, and making training materials through the final declaration are as for capacity building, developing follows: harmonized legislation and data collection systems will boom organic Knowledge gap in production, products in Central Asia. Regular processing and marketing of regional conferences/ workshops/ organic products as well as low training courses and implementing a awareness among consumers, regional website that allow exchange Lack of harmonized of legislation of information and data and and standards at regional level and announcements/news on relevant problems at the implementation activities on organic agriculture will stage, help to develop and sustain a regional Lack of government support, network on organic agriculture. No local and only a few regional certification bodies operate, We highly appreciate the efforts Inexistence of reliable and of FAO and the MoAWR of updated data on production and Uzbekistan for holding the Conference markets, and hope that it will establish a strong Lack or unavailability of organic base for a regional network, strengthen inputs / permitted input list, the existing ones (e.g. the IFOAM Lack of training programs, Eurasia regional group) and build up Lack of demand at domestic an organic cluster for all interested markets, practitioners and activists on organic Lack of research especially in the region, as well as, in global focusing on locally adapted organic movement.
90
Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Conclusion Status, practices and prospects 6 © FAO / Hotam Muhammadiev / Hotam © FAO General overview of world and 1 Uzbekistan organic agriculture
Organic production 2 methods and technologies
3 Marketing
Regulatory framework on 4 organic food and farming
The Declaration of the International 5 Conference on Development of Organic Agriculture in Central Asia, Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 22-24 August 2017
6 Conclusion
7 References
8 Annexes Chapter VI. Conclusion
Conclusion
The principles of organic agriculture – erated the land. Today, demand for ban or severe limitation on synthetic organic food and non-food products fertilizers, pesticides and other chem- are increasing more than the produc- ical inputs including growth regula- tion capacity of developed countries tors, antibiotics, GMO or irradiation creating opportunities for developing and promotion of crop diversification, countries possessing a production nature protection – have probably potential. been practiced in traditional forms for centuries. Organic agriculture im- Domestic organic market in Uz- plies considerable restriction of min- bekistan is in its infancy. The lack of eral fertilizer use and chemical agents organic legislation and promotion to control pests, disease and weeds as of standards, as well as the lack of well as processing aids, which have a support impede its growth. Reliable negative effect on the environment or information on principles and mecha- residues of which may accumulate in nisms of organics, on bio-products on agricultural products. Organic food the scale of the country is absent, that and farming integrate modern tech- contributes to development of green- nology and science and seek applica- washing. Prices for organic in Uz- ble research results and innovations. bekistan, in contrast to United States However, this screening and selection and European countries, are greatly is made with utmost care by evaluat- overstated. That is why domestic de- ing their long-term effects. mand for organic, as well as domestic organic market in Uzbekistan has not The history of agriculture dates back yet been formed. more than 12000 years but organic agriculture started in the previous Demand for organic produce is rapid- century as a solution to intensifica- ly increasing (worldwide by 3% each tion faced during the last 50-70 years. year), hence the necessity to stimulate Time span for organic agriculture is its global production. Because of its thus relatively short. The first phase agricultural tradition, genetic resourc- of organic agriculture started in the es, work force as well as adequate beginning of 20th century farmers environmental conditions, Uzbekistan producing food using natural means, represents a huge opportunity to con- controlling pests naturally and feed- tribute to global agricultural produc- ing the soil using traditional farming tion expansion. However, some very practices that conserved and regen- important aspects still need to be ad-
93 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
dressed, such as international quality as accreditation and certification standards implementation, offsetting procedures. the higher cost of organic production and certification for producers and The International Conference on consumers and effectively market Development of Organic Agricul- organic production. ture in Central Asia organized by the Sub-regional office of the FAO Training and education projects are UN for Central Asia in cooperation necessary to increase knowledge on with the Ministry of Agriculture all aspects of organic production, and Water Resources of Uzbekistan from basics to consumer demands. during 22-24 August 2017 in Uzbeki- It is necessary to disseminate objec- stan created a suitable environment tive information in mass media and in Uzbekistan and in the Region that among officials about the legislation needs follow up and continuity to and system management as well increase its impact. © FAO / Malokhat Shagaeva © FAO 94
Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: References Status, practices and prospects 7 © FAO / Komil Yakubov / Komil © FAO General overview of world and 1 Uzbekistan organic agriculture
Organic production 2 methods and technologies
3 Marketing
Regulatory framework on 4 organic food and farming
The Declaration of the International 5 Conference on Development of Organic Agriculture in Central Asia, Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 22-24 August 2017
6 Conclusion
7 References
8 Annexes Chapter VII. References
References
Aerts S, Lips S, Spencer Dittrich P (2010) https:// S, Decuypere E and De ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/ Tavernier J (2006) A new devco/files/study-organic- framework for the assessment agriculture-201206_en_5.pdf. of animal welfare: integrating existing knowledge from a Edwardovich, Y E (2017) practical ethics perspective. Organic market in Russia. Journal of Agricultural and Problems of development and Environmental Ethics 19, 67-76. possible solutions, International Conference on Development of Aksoy U and Khujabekov A Organic Agriculture in Central (2017) Critical Points in Post- Asia, 22-24 August 2017, Harvest Management of Organic Uzbekistan. Plant Production for Quality and El Hage Scialabba N and Safety, International Conference Hattam C (2002) Organic on Development of Organic Agriculture, Environment and Agriculture in Central Asia, 22- Food Security Environment and 24 August 2017, Uzbekistan. natural resources series (Issue 4), Food & Agriculture Organization. Blackshaw RE, Moyer JR, 252 pp. Doram, RC and Boswell AL (2001) Yellow sweetclover, European Commission (2007): green manure, and its residues A new health strategy for the effectively suppress weeds European union (2007-2013) during fallow. Weed Science 49, where “Prevention is better than 406-413. cure”, Bruxelles, 26p
Boz I (2017). Report of the FAO (2004) The role of livestock mission held February 6-10, in economic development and 2017 to Tashkent -Uzbekistan poverty reduction, by M. Upton. for FAO/UZB/TCP/3501 Pro-Poor Livestock Policy Project Entitled ‘Support Initiative Working Paper No. 10. to Development of Organic Rome. (also available at http:// Farming and Institutional www.fao.org/ag/againfo/projects/ Capacity Building in Uzbekistan’. en/pplpi/docarc/wp10.pdf).
97 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
FAO (2006) Steinfeld H et al., https://www.unece.org/trade/agr/ Livestock’s Long Shadow: standard environmental issues and options. Food and Agriculture Hughes G et al (2011) Organisation of the United From Rio 1992 to 2012 and Nations. Rome. 2006. beyond: Sustainable Mountain Development Central Asia Draft FAO (2007) Reuver M, regional report prepared for Geerlings E, and Zjalic M. the Lucerne World Mountain Subregional Report on Animal Conference 10-12 October 2011. Genetic Resources: Central Asia. Last updated: 1 November 2011. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome. IFAD (1999) Integrated feed and livestock production in FIBL survey 2017. http://www. the steppes of Central Asia. FIBL.org/fileadmin/documents/ Livestock and Rangeland-Related en/news/2017/mr-world-organic- Technical Assistance Grant. agriculture-2017-english.pdf Rome. International Fund for Agricultural Development. FIBL-IFOAM-SOEL-Surveys (available at http://www.ifad.org/ 1999-2017. http://orgprints. lrkm/tags/425.htm) org/31197/1/willer-lernoud-2017- global-data-biofach.pdf Reis EM and Abrao JJR (1983) Effect of tillage and wheat residue http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex management on the vertical distribution and inoculum density http://www.un.org/press/ of Cochliobolus sativus in Soil. en/1999/19990628.-SAG43.html Plant Diseases 67, 1088-1089.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ Rousing T, Bonde M and niallmccarthy Sorensen JT (2000) Indicators for the assessment of animal https://www.ifoam.bio/es/organic- welfare in a dairy cattle herd with policy-guarantee/organic-30-next- a cubicle housing system. In: phase-organic-development Blokhuis HJ, Ekkel ED & Wechsler B (eds): Improving health and https://www.ifoam.bio/sites/-default/ welfare in animal production. files/organic3.0_v.2_web_0.pdf EAAP-publication 112, 37-44.
98 Chapter VII. References
Sahota A (2017) The global Agriculture. Statistics and market in Willer, H. and Emerging Trends 2017. Research Lernoud, J. (Eds.) The world of Institute of Organic Agriculture Organic Agriculture. Statistics (FIBL), Frick and IFOAM – and Emerging Trends 2017. Organics International Bonn. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FIBL), Frick and Version 1.1 of February 08, 2017, IFOAM – Organics International 340 p. Bonn. Version 1.1 of February 08, 2017, 340 p. World Bank Report 2015. https:// data.worldbank.org/country/ Sydyk D.A., Sh.Jarasov, uzbekistan A.D.Karabalayeva, M.A.Sydykov, B.Isabekov, www.ams.usda.gov/nop A.T.Babakhodjayev. (2008) Rekomendatsii po resurso sberegayushey technologii www.codexalimentarius.org vozdelyvanii zernovykh kolosovykh kultur v usloviyakh www.gost.ru bogarnogo i oroshaemogo zemledeliya yujnogo www.ifoam.bio Kazakhstana. Shymkent. pp 42. (In Russian). www.maff.go.jp/soshiki/syokuhin/ hinshitu/organic The Australian Organic Industry: A Profile, 2004 www.organic.rules.org The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Yıldız L (2017) Review current statistics (2015) “O’zbekiston situation and develop draft raqamlarda”. Tashkent. 211. proposals for the establishment of an efficient inspection and Willer H and Kilcher L (Eds.) certification system for GAP, (2011). The World of Organic GLOBALGAP and organic Agriculture. Statistics and agriculture in Uzbekistan” a Emerging Trends 2011. FIBL – mission report or FAO/UZB/ IFOAM Report. IFOAM, Bonn and FIBL, Frick. TCP/3501 Project Entitled ‘Support to Development of Willer H and Lernoud J (Eds.) Organic Farming and Institutional (2017): The world of Organic Capacity Building in Uzbekistan’.
99 © FAO / Malokhat Shagaeva
Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Annexes Status, practices and prospects 8 © FAO / Rustam Shagaev © FAO General overview of world and 1 Uzbekistan organic agriculture
Organic production 2 methods and technologies
3 Marketing
Regulatory framework on 4 organic food and farming
The Declaration of the International 5 Conference on Development of Organic Agriculture in Central Asia, Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 22-24 August 2017
6 Conclusion
7 References
8 Annexes Chapter VIII. Annexes
Annex 1. Vineyard management for organic grape production Table 7. A year around time frame of the organic grape production activities including agronomic practices, diseases and pest control (Prepared by Dr. Saydaliev) Time table # Event Jan Feb Mar Apr Mai Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Winter watering 1
Prepare and repair columns and wire 2
Start open covered grape trees when air temperature reaches 10°C, peeling grape arbor, clean unnecessary 3 goods, cleaning furrows. Organize tillage practice and cultivation, weed control by hand and watering Infected fallen leaves, fruit nodes, residual and weeds around arbor will be a place for overwintering different 4 pests and larva. In order to control abovementioned ar- bor around should be tilled at 15-20 cm. 3% Bordeaux Mix* will be applied and cracks will be 5 stuck with special past-glume
The support can be an arbor covering a patio for shade, 6 or can be as simple as a post in the ground to support the trunk of the vine. A first application 10 lime-sulfur solution can be used to 7 control Powdery Mildew and anthracnose in vineyards.
Green manure crops such green pea, rape, perko, vetch, 8 cow pea at booting stage should ploughed and can pro- vide 12-15 tonnes of organic manure Provide water-holding irrigation in order to slow down 9 flowering phase of grape
10 lime-sulfur should be applied three times, to control anthracnose and powdery mildew, and are as follows: 10 first time 3% lime-sulfur late winter period, 1% vegeta- tion and during summer period 0.5-0.3%. Provide cultivation and irrigation between grape rows, 11 till and clean weeds around arbor
Application of compost will help increase grape pro- 12 ductivity
* Bordo Mix is a mixture of copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4) and slaked lime (Ca(OH)2) used as a fungicide. In some standards on organic, there is a restriction on total amount of copper used per ha per year
103 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Sulfur application rate should be about 25 kg/ha. Ap- 13 plication should be carried-out when air temperatures varies between 18-22°C. Provide cultivation and irrigation between grape rows, 14 till and clean weeds around arbor There are no need any technological practices during the 15 flowering period Irrigation rate can be 300-350 m3 16
3% Bordeaux Mix should be applied depending on air 17 temperature After flowering cutting, grapes may be propagated using leafy cuttings. Stems of recently matured growth cut 18 about 27 cm long may be rooted if they are treated with root-inducing growth regulators and kept under high hu- midity. Cuts should be done 2-3 times during May-June Cultivation and irrigation. Start harvesting of early ma- 19 turing varieties Weed management, cultivation, irrigation. Application 20 10 lime-sulfur solution can be used to control Powdery Mildew and anthracnose in vineyards. Weed management, cultivation, irrigation. Harvesting 21 Kishmish variety and start drying. Late grape varieties such as Toyfi, Qora and Oq husayni, 22 Nimrang will be treated 10 lime-sulfur Provide irrigation. Prognosis of yield potential of grape. 23 Prepare grape trees for grafts Seeding green manure crops such as green pea 100- 24 120 kg/ha, rape 80-100 kg/ha, perko 80-120 kg/ha, vetch 120 kg/ha, cow pea 120 kg/ha. Grape harvesting. Prognosis of yield potential of grape. 25 Prepare grape trees for grafts Grape harvesting and provide cuts. Irrigation and cover- ing grape trees. Prepare compost with microelements: 26 boron, zinc, coper, manganese, molybdenum, iron, ben- tonite and others should not be excessed 90 mg/kg and including plant residues will be ploughed To prevent or reduce Ochratoxin A formation in dried grapes, it is recommended to stop soil tillage (distur- bance) nearly one month before the harvest because 27 fungi spear onto the grapes through the dust and to re- move spoiled, cracked or rotten berries while spreading for sun-drying.
104 Chapter VIII. Annexes
Annex 2. Organic wheat crop management Table 8. A pattern of recommended models for organic winter wheat on rain-fed areas
Crop management Technological Farming Machine Type # operations Parameters Operation Date Tractor Tools 15 October till Minimum or Minimum till with discs and 1 15 November MTZ-80 Discs no-till* manure application at 5-10 t/ha depending rainfall Direct winter wheat seeding using stubble seeders 15 October till SZS-2,1 2 Seeding SZS- 2.1 or FANKHAUSER 2115 15 November MTZ-80 FANKHAUSER2115 seeder (Brazil) depending rainfall Seeder (Brazil) at the depth of 4-5 cm Winter wheat is harvested 3rd decad of June Winter wheat using direct combine harvesters Niva, Laverd and Straw 3 and harvest through chopping and spread- others chopper 1st decad of July ing straw on the soil surface Grain Grain transportation from Trucks ZIL 130; 4 June-July transportation the field to threshing floor Kamaz 5 Post-harvest Storing
105 Organic Agriculture in Uzbekistan: Status, practices and prospects
Annex 3. Organic chickpea crop management Table 9. Recommended models for organic chickpea on rain-fed areas in Uzbekistan
Crop manage- Technological Farming Operation Machine Type # ment operations Parameters Date Tractor Tools February through Minimum Minimum till with discs and 1 march depending on MTZ-80 Discs or no-till1 manure application at 5-10 t/ha weather conditions Direct chickpea seeding 15 October till 15 SZS-2,1 using stubble seeders SZS- 2.1 or 2 Seeding November depending MTZ-80 FANKHAUSER2115 FANKHAUSER 2115 seeder (Brazil) rainfall Seeder (Brazil) at the depth of 4-5 cm Chickpea is harvested using direct combine harvesters through 3rd decad of June and Niva, Laverd Straw 3 Chickpea chopping and spreading straw on 1st decad of July and others chopper the soil surface Grain Grain transportation from Trucks ZIL 130; 4 June-July transportation the field to threshing floor Kamaz
* It depends on rainfall
106
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN UZBEKISTAN: Status, practices and prospects
ISBN 978-92-5-130147-0 ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN UZBEKISTAN: STATUS, PRACTICES AND PROSPECTS PRACTICES STATUS, IN UZBEKISTAN: AGRICULTURE ORGANIC
9 789251 301470 I8398EN/1/01.18