The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is helping Uzbekistan in environmentally and socially responsible cultivation of cotton. The goal of the project is to increase the efficiency of cotton production by implementing the best world practices and minimize the risk of using forced labor in the cotton sector.

In the first phase covering 2017-18, IFC is implementing a pilot program, which involves the development and testing of a system of standards for sustainable cotton production in select areas. After successful testing, the system will cover 3,000 farms and agribusinesses that produce cotton in these areas. In 2019-22, it is plans to expand the application of the system of standards throughout Uzbekistan.

IFC’s project on the development of the cotton sector in Uzbekistan is aimed at accelerating the transformation processes in Uzbekistan and increasing the role of the private sector in the country’s economy. The introduction of best practices in the production of cotton is also expected to provide an opportunity to increase the global competitiveness of Uzbek cotton and textile products.

Uzbekistan ranks sixth in the world in terms of cotton fiber production and fifth in exports. The country yearly grows about 3,500 tons of raw cotton and produces 1.1 million tons of cotton fiber.