Gairat Usmonov, a farmer from the Khavast district, recounts how in 2021 he lost his leased lands, which were transferred to a Saudi investor. After three years of legal battles, he managed to regain control over the plots in 2025, when the investor withdrew from the deal. However, Usmonov now claims that the authorities are once again trying to take his land, possibly to transfer it to Chinese investors.
According to the farmer, the local khokimiyat accused him of illegally growing rice — a violation of contract terms, which provides grounds for terminating the lease agreement. Uzbek legislation allows land to be leased for up to 49 years, but the state has the right to annul contracts in cases of violations, such as non-payment of rent or misuse of land.
Usmonov insists that he has never grown rice, but officials took his case to court, using these accusations to terminate the lease. “The court sides with the authorities without examining the facts,” the farmer says in an interview with the Uzbek service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (Ozodlik).
Usmonov's story is not unique; it has become part of a broader problem following the adoption of a law last May to create regional "directorates." The authorities claim that these measures are aimed at improving land management and debt collection, but farmers who spoke with Ozodlik say this is merely a way to push them off the lands they have cultivated for many years and transfer them to foreign investors.
Usmonov and other farmers from the Khavast district note that since January, a large-scale campaign has begun, planning to transfer almost half of the local farms into the state land reserve. “Lands are moving from farmers to the state reserve, then to the directorate and to investors, but no one cares about the fate of the people caught in this situation,” says one farmer.
THE PATH OF CHINESE INVESTORS
Despite farmers claiming that the main beneficiaries of land seizures are Chinese companies, the authorities have not officially confirmed this information. However, last year, Ozodlik reported on the transfer of agricultural land in several districts of the Andijan region to Chinese investors.
After the publication of this information, land seizures temporarily ceased, but farmers say pressure resumed with the creation of the directorate system. Ozodlik conducted a study of this system and found that seized lands are being leased to Chinese companies.
Under the new law, offices responsible for land management and the transfer of land for sublease to both local and foreign investors have been established in seven regions of Uzbekistan, including the Syrdarya region.
Chinese investors have shown the greatest interest in land plots, having increased their presence in Uzbekistan's agriculture through financing, infrastructure, and technology. In 2024, Uzbekistan signed a $220 million loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China for the implementation of irrigation projects.
In 2025, delegations from Chinese agro-companies and regional authorities actively visited the eastern and central regions of the country, and in December, a group of officials from the Syrdarya region traveled to China to deepen agricultural cooperation.
Farmers from the Khavast district reported that Chinese investors were initially offered unused lands, but they refused, demanding fertile plots that had already been cultivated by local farmers.
It is estimated that this year in the Khavast district, up to 17,000 hectares of land are planned to be transferred into the directorate system and ultimately to foreign investors. This will affect about 300 farms, in addition to more than 10,000 hectares of land already seized since the end of 2024.
"I WILL TAKE EVERYTHING"
Farmers who have already interacted with the new directorates assure that the system operates with the knowledge of high-ranking officials, including the regional khokim Erkinjon Turdimov. Turdimov's press secretary did not respond to Ozodlik's requests for comments regarding the land seizures and farmers' allegations of pressure.
One farmer shared his shock from a meeting with officials, where he was warned of possible threats. “The khokim directly told one of the farmers that he would take everything from him, even his house,” he recounted.
Farmers report that they are given a choice: either voluntarily give up the land, which will lead to debt cancellation, or refuse and face the arrest of their plots by court order. During meetings with officials, they are made to wait under police guard and sign documents.
Those who refuse immediately face property confiscation. “The next day, officials came and took everything — from televisions to livestock,” says one farmer.
PRESSURE FROM ABOVE
District authorities claim that land seizures are justified by farmers' debts. According to the district administration, farmers owe 40 billion sums ($3.2 million) and 128 billion sums ($10 million) to banks. Authorities also confirm that they have filed lawsuits to terminate lease agreements with 110 farms.
Farmers and experts note that the statement does not clarify how these debts arose and who is to blame — local authorities or agricultural associations. Economist Otobek Bakirov states that the agricultural system itself drives farmers into debt, as many do not receive full payment for their products.
Local authorities assure that the transfer of agricultural lands to foreign investors will stimulate the economy, but in practice, this leads to the displacement of farmers from their plots. The loss of about 300 farms could leave thousands of families without livelihoods.
“Farmers are leaving, villages are emptying, and we are left with nothing,” says one local resident. As information about pressures in the Khavast district becomes known, signs of political resistance are emerging in Tashkent.
Deputies of the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan have sent an official request to Turdimov demanding clarification on the situation with farmers. No response has been received yet.
