As part of a new decree signed by the president, the Uzbek Academy of Agricultural Sciences has been established in Uzbekistan. This institution, created on the basis of the National Center for Knowledge and Innovations and under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture, will be responsible for coordinating scientific research of both fundamental and applied nature in the agricultural sector. The academy will focus primarily on adapting agriculture to climate change, combating soil salinization, and developing drought-resistant crop varieties.
The structure of the academy includes a clear hierarchy among scientific personnel and a reward system. It comprises four categories: young scientists under 40 with a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree, professors, corresponding members, and full members (academicians). The first elections for the main composition of the academy are scheduled for 2026, when three academicians and five corresponding members will be selected. Scientists with high status will receive monthly fees comparable to those of the national Academy of Sciences, as well as benefits for medical services and sanatorium treatment.
Significant funding is allocated for the implementation of major scientific projects and the introduction of innovations. The academy will receive up to 50 billion sums from the republican budget for its specialized fund. A Center of Excellence will also operate within the new agency, which will continue to focus on the genetic improvement of varieties and the creation of high-yield hybrids of agricultural crops capable of adapting to extreme heat and resource shortages.
It is expected that the work of the new academy will not only strengthen the theoretical foundation of the agricultural sector in Uzbekistan but also accelerate the process of transferring scientific developments from laboratories to real agricultural fields.
