Unlocking Innovation in Homestead Farms: Exploring drivers and barriers to innovation adoption among farming households in Uzbekistan
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Sharanya Rajiv, Kamiljon Akramov, Boubaker Dhehibi. (1/12/2024). Unlocking Innovation in Homestead Farms: Exploring drivers and barriers to innovation adoption among farming households in Uzbekistan.
Abstract
Homestead, or tomorqa, farms play a key role in agriculture and food security in Uzbekistan. These
small-scale farms are integral to the livelihoods of more than 5.5 million rural households, collectively
utilizing over 500,000 hectares of agricultural land, which accounts for nearly 15 percent of the coun
try’s total arable agricultural land area.1 The significance of homestead farms is also underscored by
their substantial contribution to the overall agricultural output of the country, producing the majority of
horticulture and livestock products. In 2023, homestead farms produced approximately 62 percent of
agricultural products, 37 percent of crop output, and an impressive 88 percent of livestock production.2
Recognizing their critical importance, the Uzbek government has positioned homestead farms at the
heart of its poverty reduction strategy. This strategy includes the allocation of additional land to rural
households, thereby expanding their capacity for agricultural production and improving the economic
stability of rural communities. Furthermore, the government actively promotes the adoption of innovative agricultural technologies and practices by homestead farms.
In addition to agricultural production and rural livelihoods, homestead farms are also central to Uzbeki
stan’s efforts to foster climate-smart agriculture to enhance climate resilience and reduce greenhouse
gas emissions from the agriculture sector. The government has also promoted the implementation of
water-saving technologies and practices that reduce land degradation among homestead farms, which
not only help mitigate the impacts of climate change but also ensure the long-term viability of agricultural resources amid land- and water-scarcity challenges.
Understanding the drivers and barriers to the adoption of these innovative practices is crucial for tailor
ing policies to better support farmers, enhancing the effectiveness of government initiatives, and ensur
ing the sustainable development of homestead farms. This project note examines the key drivers of and
barriers to the adoption of innovative technologies and practices by homestead (tomorqa) farms in Uz
bekistan. To answer this question, this note analyzes data from an intra-household survey conducted
among 1600 households with homestead plots in 4 provinces of Uzbekistan in 2024.
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Dhehibi, Boubaker https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3854-6669