A new ReSAKSS-Asia research brief evaluates the extent of agricultural mechanization in four townships in Myanmar’s Dry Zone. It provides evidence that rapid mechanization is underway. [Read more...]
Mechanization increases the power applied to agricultural operations and is one tool among many for improving farm productivity. It alone cannot drive the transformation of agriculture. [Read more...]
The rapid growth of fish farming over the past three decades has generated heated debate over the role of aquaculture in rural development and poverty reduction. Central to these debates is the question of whether and how aquaculture impacts local incomes and employment, yet little empirical evidence exists on the issue. [Read more...]
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Central Asia and Caucasus Regional Nutrition Capacity Development and Partnership Platform commits to eliminate double burden of malnutrition
The eight countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus will support the Regional Nutrition Capacity Development and Partnership Platform launched by UNICEF, WHO, FAO, and WFP. The program will focus on food security and nutrition in the region, including malnutrition in all its forms including stunting, obesity, and micronutrient deficiency. UNICEF estimates that the prevalence of child obesity in Central Asia to be the second highest globally. Program partners also hope to address child diet and feeding practices during the first years of life. - UNICEF
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Tajikistan slaps restrictions on imports from Uzbekistan
Local media are reporting that Tajik authorities are imposing restrictions on the amount of goods its citizens are allowed carry across the border from Uzbekistan. According to Uzbek website Podrobno.uz, specific limits have been set on meat, baked goods, and rice in addition to a total weight cap of 40 kilograms. It was reported that large amounts of Uzbek food products were being resold in Tajik markets after the border was opened. The article suggests that regional governments are growing wary about the ramifications of increased cross-border trade for their local businesses. - EurasiaNet, Podrobno.uz
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Investments in food production rise in Kazakhstan
Investments in food production have reached 38.2 billion tenge ($112 million) in the first five months of 2018, representing a doubling from last year's figure over the same period. Most investments were directed to the Almaty (31.3 percent of total investment) and Kostanay (14.9 percent) regions. - AzerNews
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"High-Level International Conference on International Decade for Action 'Water for Sustainable Development' 2018-2028" concludes in Tajikistan
A two-day international conference on water management concluded on June 21 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The conference was organized by the government of Tajikistan and several international agencies. The conference featured the participation of the Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon, Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the presidents of Pakistan and Turkmenistan, and officials of international organizations such as the World Bank. - Wsdconf2018.org, TOLOnews, Geo, Turkmenistan.ru, World Bank
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In the wake of violent conflict motivated by grievances over geographically-based inequalities, governments often devolve functions and authority from national to subnational governments. Giving greater decision-making powers to elected local authorities is believed to improve the economic, social and cultural inclusion of those from particular ethnic, linguistic, or religious communities. But devolution can have unexpected implications for the structure and provision of agricultural services, and models of successful adaptation can come from surprising places.
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Remittances from Russia to Tajikistan increase 15 percent in first quarter
Russia's central bank reported that transfers from Russia to Tajikistan totaled approximately $487 million in the first quarter of this year, representing a 15 percent increase from Q1 2017. This places Tajikistan second among former Soviet republics behind Uzbekistan in terms of remittance volume from Russia. - Asia-Plus
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After more than three decades of high growth that was based on an exploration of its low-wage advantage and a relatively favorable demographic pattern in combination with market-oriented reforms and openness to the world economy, China is at a crossroad with a much higher wage and a shrinking work force. [Read more...]
Dr. Suresh Babu recently participated in the 2018 International Consortium on Applied Bioeconomy Research Conference (ICABR) providing a presentation entitled "Speeding up the Agricultural Transformation Process in Asia: Food System Challenges and Policy Options". The presentation discussed how there has been significant progress in reducing hunger and malnutrition in Asia. [Read more...]
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Kazakhstan to facilitate farmers' access to agricultural loans
Joint-stock companies KazakhExport and the Agricultural Credit Corporation will jointly guarantee farmers' loans, following the signing of regulations on the financing of agricultural enterprises. According to the regulations, the loan process for farmers will be simplified and expedited through the Agricultural Credit Corporation, after which KazakhExport will make decisions regarding the provision of insurance for projects. - Trend News Agency
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ReSAKSS-Asia research on seed systems was recently featured in the Seed Times, the magazine of the National Seed Association of India. [Read more...]
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Uzbekistan intends to export $1.5 billion worth of fruits and vegetables
Director-general of Uzagroexport Sultan Nazarov declared that Uzbekistan intends to export $1.5 billion worth of horticulture. No timeline for the figure was specified in the article, but Nazarov reported that Uzbekistan broke records in May by exporting 120,000 tons of products worth about $150 million. While most fruits and vegetable exports continue to go to traditional markets in Kazakhstan and Russia, Uzbek products are on the verge of also entering lucrative markets in East Asia, the Middle East, and the West. - AzerNews
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It's raining salt: toxic Aral Sea storm sparks health fears in Central Asia
Radio Free Europe's Uzbek service reports that parts of western Uzbekistan and northern Turkmenistan are recovering from a severe salt storm that is believed to have originated in dried areas formerly part of the Aral Sea. The three-day storm started on May 26 and covered fields with a mixture of salt and sand. While salt storms are not uncommon in the Aral Sea area, the scale of this week's event was larger than usual. - Radio Free Europe
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ADB $145 million loan to help improve water supply services in Uzbekistan
The ADB's Board of Directors has approved a $145 million loan to help improve water supply and sanitation services in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan. The funds will benefit 388,000 residents through improvements to local water supply networks, institutional capacity, and climate resilience awareness. Poor water supply is a problem in Karakalpakstan: only 37 percent of households in the proposed project area are connected to the centralized water network; of those, 40 percent receive water for less than six hours per week. - ADB
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IMF statement following mission to Uzbekistan
The International Monetary Fund released a statement following a consultative visit to Uzbekistan. According to the IMF, Uzbekistan needs comprehensive tax reform and tightened fiscal and monetary policies to follow up on its efforts to liberalize the economy. The Uzbek government is considering further reforms including restructuring state enterprises in the coming year. - IMF
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Uzbekistan implements the IMF's Enhanced General Data Dissemination System
Uzbekistan is now publishing critical macroeconomic and financial data through its National Summary Data Page, following the recommendations of the IMF's Enhanced General Data Dissemination System (e-GDDS). The webpage aims to be a one-stop platform for essential macroeconomic data and is housed on the State Statistics Committee's website. - IMF, State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan
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Investments in Central Asia
Asian Development Bank will be investing 5 billion US dollars into the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation Program until 2020. 11 countries (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People's Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) participating in the program will receive funds for further development of the region's infrastructure and improvement of its transport and energy potential. – Kazakh TV
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World Bank: remittances to countries in Europe and Central Asia grew 21 percent in 2017
Remittances to countries in Europe and Central Asia grew 21 percent in 2017 after three consecutive years of decline, according to the World Bank's latest Migration and Development Brief. It attributes this trend to stronger economic growth and employment prospects in the eurozone, Russia, and Kazakhstan in addition to the appreciation of the euro and ruble against the U.S. dollar. Growth in remittances is expected to slow to 6 percent this year, mirroring the stabilization of the region's economies. - Asia-Plus
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