ICBA accelerator graduates 207 farmers and agro‑entrepreneurs in Nukus with ADFD support
The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development marked UN South‑South Cooperation Day as 207 participants completed a four‑week Farmers’ and Agro‑Entrepreneurs Accelerator in Karakalpakstan.
From climate‑resilient crops to marketable enterprises
The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), supported by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), celebrated the graduation of 207 participants from its Farmers’ and Agro‑Entrepreneurs Accelerator in Nukus on the United Nations Day for South‑South Cooperation.
Implemented in partnership with Uzbekistan’s Agency for Innovative Development (AID) under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, the four‑week programme aimed to convert climate‑resilient agricultural research into value‑added products and viable small enterprises. Women made up nearly 59% of the cohort, with 122 graduates.
Participants completed 16 training modules covering agricultural processing, product quality, packaging, business planning and market access. The curriculum was designed to bridge experimental demonstration and commercial uptake, equipping farmers and entrepreneurs with the skills needed to move from production to profitable sale.
At a graduation exhibition held at the Nukus Youth Technopark, participants presented 25 concepts derived from climate‑resilient crops introduced by ICBA. Exhibits ranged from food and feed products to soil amendments, illustrating practical pathways for local value creation. Ten concepts were singled out for recognition during the ceremony.
Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, said the fund perceives development finance as a catalyst for sustainable livelihoods and stronger local economies. ADFD’s support for agriculture in Karakalpakstan, he emphasised, couples investment in sustainable production with the training required to translate agricultural potential into economic opportunities, notably for women and young people.
Dr Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of ICBA, described the graduation as evidence that agricultural research can be translated into products and enterprises that benefit communities. She highlighted the role of partnerships in taking science beyond demonstration sites so that farmers may adopt resilient crops and generate income through new value chains.
Dr Asror Norov, Acting Director of the Agency for Innovative Development, underlined the practical nature of the programme. He noted that the support helped participants with business essentials such as cost calculation, quality standards and customer understanding, thereby encouraging greater participation by women and youth in agricultural enterprise.
The accelerator builds on ADFD’s broader project, “Development of Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems in Degraded Areas of Karakalpakstan”, which has established demonstration sites in Nukus, Chimbay and Muynak. That project introduced a diverse mix of food and fodder crops while strengthening the capacity of scientists, extension workers and farmers in soil, water and crop management. The accelerator represents a further step in converting those research‑stage solutions into income‑generating activities and local businesses.
Source: WAM