Scientific Knowledge of Dryland Pastoral System Development in Uzbekistan

Abstract

Natural rangelands of Uzbekistan occupy 23 million ha – nearly half of its geographic territory – and supply over 30% of the country’s meat output, 60% of its wool, and food and shelter for more than 2 million rural people. Over 40% of dryland pastures in Uzbekistan are currently being degraded and have reached different levels of degradation (Ahmedov et al., 2009; Makhmudov, 2011). These areas are characterized by 25%–30% lower productivity, by livestock mismanagement and overgrazing, by soil erosion and desertification, by water salinity, and by obsolete infrastructure (Ahmedov et al., 2009).