- About 50% of the territory of our republic are natural pastures. According to many people, these pastures can be considered as territories of little importance for our society. In fact, the healthy lifestyle and well-being of the families of more than 4 million people living in these territories directly depend on these pastures and their natural resources. Unfortunately, in recent years a number of problems have arisen related to the collapse of the system of rational use of pastures, their management and control.

      Today, it is no secret to anyone that pastures in Uzbekistan are under heavy pressure as a result of a variety of human activities. Vegetation cover in pasture areas is undergoing major changes. The vegetation cover on millions of hectares of pastures has thinned out, and their fodder productivity has decreased several times. The emergence of such a tense situation, in turn, poses a great threat to the present life and the future of the people living here.

      From this point of view, the current state of pastures is of serious concern to industry representatives, especially the local population living in these areas. In the context of global climate change, the rapid growth of the pasture crisis required serious attention to this issue.

     The problems observed in pastures can only be solved on the basis of evidence-based developments and proven experience. I think that this international conference, which is taking place today at Samarkand State University, will become a platform for collecting and sharing such knowledge and proven international experience.
 

Feruz Abilov

Deputy khakim of Samarkand region for agriculture and water management