Agriculture in Uzbekistan

[2] Another cause behind moves to diversify may be environmental, because the large quantities of irrigation and fertilization needed to produce cotton have contributed to the drying up of the Aral Sea and to the severe pollution of the soil in the surrounding areas.

The main cereals are wheat, barley, corn, and also rice, which is grown in intensively irrigated oases.

Uzbek melons, known for their long life and unique taste, are widely sought after in the large cities of the CIS.

[2] The achieved yields of around 1,600 kg of milk per cow per year are among the lowest in the CIS[6] (compared to 2,500 kg per cow per year for Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova) and dismally low compared to those in the EU countries or North America.

The low milk yields are attributable to insufficient feed and reluctance of peasants to use artificial insemination for breed improvement.

Additionally, the Government intents to develop the textile sector of the country and for this purpose, it will process more of its own raw cotton into intermediary or consumer goods in order to export.