Agricultural development in the peri-urban areas of Samarkand, Uzbekistan: Challenges and prospects

This study examines the obstacles and potential pathways for agricultural growth in peri-urban regions of Samarkand (Uzbekistan) between 2000 and 2024. Drawing on government data and predictive modeling, the research reveals a stark trend: urban populations have surged while arable land in adjacent districts has steadily declined. Although vegetable output currently satisfies city demand, the once-reliable surplus has shrunk, with models suggesting a tipping point toward shortages emerged around 2015. These shifts underscore mounting pressures on food systems, driven by urban encroachment, population growth, and stagnant farm practices. To avert crisis, the study urges prioritized reforms: smarter land allocation, advanced irrigation systems, and adoption of agritech. Crucially, peri-urban farmland must be redefined as a cornerstone of urban sustainability rather than expendable "buffer" space. The findings emphasize the need for rational land use planning, improved water management, and technological investments to safeguard food security. Peri-urban agriculture must be treated as a strategic asset in urban resilience planning, not as a transitional or secondary land use. Without proactive measures, Samarkand risks moving from a state of marginal surplus to structural deficit within the coming decade.

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