In order to curb coronavirus infection in many countries, including in Uzbekistan, quarantine has been introduced, enterprises have been stopped, and borders have been closed. As a result, movement is limited, and the supply of agricultural products between states is suspended.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, after the coronavirus pandemic, the world may face a food crisis if measures are not taken to protect the most vulnerable segments of the population, maintain global food supply chains and mitigate the effects of the pandemic. As the virus spreads, morbidity increases and measures tighten, the global food system may undergo great trials in the coming weeks and months.
According to experts from the European Agricultural Organization (ECVC), the global crisis that Europe and the world are experiencing because of the coronavirus pandemic has necessitated a rethinking of the economic model in Europe and the importance of food sovereignty, as well as demonstrates the need for sustainable food systems. Moreover, experts emphasize that the current world system has shown great dependence and instability. Its ability to distribute food, and transnational corporations – guaranteed to supply the population a sufficient amount of fresh food depends on many factors that are beyond their control due to the number of links in the food supply chain between production and consumption. The agricultural policies of European countries are focused on the interests of globalization and international markets, which endangers their food security and food sovereignty.
According to experts, in Europe problems have already arisen with the delivery of food products, since restrictions on movement prevent farmers from engaging in agriculture, and production workers from processing them. Lack of mineral fertilizers, veterinary drugs and other resources may also negatively affect agricultural production.
Now more than ever, Europe is keenly aware of the need to strengthen public services, especially in the healthcare sector and other vital areas, as well as in reliable, safe and sufficient food supplies to provide for the entire population. In the context of the crisis resulting from the pandemic, each country is developing its own strategy to reduce the negative impact on the agricultural sector and the country’s economy as a whole.
According to Fitch Solutions, due to the pandemic, some states have resorted to Product Protectionism policies in the form of trade restrictions or aggressive accumulation in order to ensure food security in their country. This in turn can lead to higher prices for some crops. Among the main countries – agricultural producers that introduced restrictions – Vietnam on rice export, Russia – grain. Kazakhstan has suspended the export of wheat flour, buckwheat, sugar, sunflower oil and some vegetables.
Uzbekistan also takes measures to ensure food security of the country. On April 8 and 10, the Head of the state held a videoconference on the issues of providing the country with food products as a result of the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic and increasing the efficiency of the agricultural sector to ensure the growth of the country’s economy.
The reforms implemented in agriculture, providing for the transition to a cluster system, the use of energy-saving technologies and innovative ideas, provide high efficiency and job creation. Moreover, the abolition of the state order for cotton and grain and price liberalization will help differentiate agricultural production in accordance with the demand of the population.
The President of Uzbekistan also emphasized the conditions created in the country for the functioning of clusters, including the extension of the loan repayment terms, as well as the organization of the Cluster Association, which will coordinate their activities for effective and joint work in increasing the procurement and production of products.
It was also noted that the effective use of household plots is an important source of self-sufficiency of the population with necessary agricultural products and one of the aspects in overcoming the shortage of food and agricultural products.
In turn, deputies, traveling to the regions these days, carry out work in accordance with the adopted joint resolution of Councils of the Oliy Majlis chambers “On measures to further improve the efficiency of use of dehkan farms and household lands”.
The created working group provides practical assistance to local authorities, the Ministry for Supporting the Makhalla and Family, the Council of Farmers, Dehkan Farms and Owners of Household Lands and their territorial bodies. Deputies are studying how efficiently personal plots are used, whether funds are allocated from the local budget to help low-income and families who have lost their breadwinner, how planting of fruit tree seedlings, and vegetable seedlings are going. All activities in this direction are under control of representatives of people.
Zukhra Shadiyeva,
Deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis,
Member of the faction of the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan.