IFPRI CA NEWS DIGEST (FEBRUARY 7 – FEBRUARY 13, 2018)
News
IFAD: $39 million investment to stimulate inclusive economic growth in Tajikistan
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the government of Tajikistan signed a financing agreement for a $39.3 million project that will promote inclusive economic growth in poor rural communities. The project, aimed at improving access to infrastructure and services, will be implemented in several districts of Tajikistan with high poverty rates. – IFAD
Russia's record harvests impacting Kazakhstan's milling industry
Kazakhstan’s flour milling industry is hampered by a shortage of grain transportation vehicles from Russia, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report. Russia’s recent record harvests have reduced the availability of transportation for Kazakh millers, who rely on Russian equipment to move their goods. In addition, Kazakh millers are more open about their use of wheat imports from Russia, whereas previously they typically did not disclose this fact. – World Grain
Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover up 12.5 percent in 2017
Kyrgyz exports and imports increased 14 and 12 percent in 2017, respectively, according to its national statistics agency. Trade with other Eurasian Economic Union countries comprised 39 percent of total turnover. – Xinhua
Kazakhstan's exports of non-primary products up
Kazakhstan is increasing its share of exports of non-raw material commodities, according to economic vice minister Baurzhen Bekeshev. According to the figures cited in the article, almost one-third of total exports were composed of non-raw material goods. – MENAFN
Tajikistan: contaminated flour leading to food poisoning cases in Gorno-Badakhshan province
Wheat contaminated by the poisonous heliotrope plant is the likely reason for a spate of food poisoning cases in Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan region. Thirty-four people have been hospitalized so far, reportedly after consuming bread made from wheat that originated in Hamadoni district in Khatlon province. – Asia-Plus
Analysis & Other Information
Uzbekistan has potential to triple agricultural exports to Russia
The prospect of Uzbekistan becoming a major supplier of horticultural goods to Russia was discussed at a ministerial-level meeting between the two countries. The Uzbek trade minister and Russian agriculture minister also discussed the recently-established “Green Corridor” facilitating agricultural trade between Uzbekistan and Russia. – AzerNews
Once-repressive Uzbekistan begins a post-Karimov opening
The Financial Times lists the political and economic reforms that have taken place since current Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyoyev took office in 2016. The article notes the steps the current government has taken in terms of improving the country’s business climate and describes a more relaxed atmosphere in terms of human rights and the media. – The Financial Times
Putin's Silk Road gamble
Artyom Lukin, professor of international politics at the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, Russia, discusses Russia’s response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the context of its overall strategic policy. In particular, he observes how China has established itself in Central Asia with little repercussion for Russian interests. In fact, he claims that Russia will play an important role as a hedge against China for Central Asian countries, even as China gains more economic clout in the region. – Washington Post
Publications & Reports
A coevolutionary perspective on the adoption of sustainable land use practices: the case of afforestation on degraded croplands in Uzbekistan
U. Djanibekov, K. Van Assche, D. Boezeman, G. Villamor, N. Djanibekov (2018). Journal of Rural Studies, 59, pp. 1-9.
Analysis of fruit and vegetable supply, demand, diet quality, and nutrition in Uzbekistan
A. Ergashev (2018). University of Bonn. Dissertation.
The taste of place and the nature of trust: natural and heritage foods in post-socialist Kazakhstan
J. McLean (2017). University of California, Los Angeles. Thesis.
A regional production network in a predatory state: export-oriented manufacturing at the margins of the law
R. Spector (2018). Review of International Political Economy, pp. 1-21.
Grain and feed update - Kazakhstan
U.S. Department of Agriculture (2018). Global Agricultural Information Network. Report no. KZ03.
Current and future challenges of water security in Central Asia
S. Xenarios, R. Shenhav, I. Abdullaev, A. Mastellari (2018). Global Water Security, pp. 117-142.
Foreign trade regulation by states: the case of the republic of Uzbekistan
A. Yakubov (2018). Osaka University Law Review, 65, pp. 107-118.
Archived issues of the news digest can be found on the Central Asia page under the ReSAKSS Asia website: http://resakss-asia.org/regions/central-asia. A link to the newsletter can be found under Blog Posts.
The articles included in this news digest have been generated from online sources. Any opinions stated herein are not representative of, or endorsed by, the International Food Policy Research Institute or its partners.
