This memorandum forms the basis for further collaboration between UNDP and MASHAV - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Center for International Cooperation, in the framework of the project "Support to Government of Uzbekistan on Sustainable Development of the Livestock Sector".
The project for the development of livestock was jointly started by the government of Uzbekistan and UNDP in March 2007. The main purpose of the project is to assist the government of Uzbekistan, in particular, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, in determining the development strategy for livestock and its place in the development of Uzbek economy.
One of the prior activities of the project is surveying and analyzing international experience on sustainable livestock development. A first step in this direction was the organization of a Study Tour for an Uzbek delegation to Israel, supported by MASHAV. MASHAV has shown its interest to support the project in evaluation and analyzing of livestock sector and in conducting of training program for Uzbek farmers.
The Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed by the UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Fikret Akcura and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to Uzbekistan Ami Mehl, includes important aspects on future cooperation such as transfer of knowledge and new technology, conduction of training program and exchange of experience, provision of high quality genetic materials and equipment for artificial insemination.
The official ceremony of the signing of the Memorandum was attended by the representatives of the Uzbek organization and other partners. In the course of this event a demonstration was made of core activities of the project and collaboration with MASHAV.
Livestock sector plays an important role in Uzbekistan's economy. This sector contributes significantly to the livelihood of economically vulnerable population in rural areas, especially in transition period, when other sources of income have been reduced considerably. However, some problems impede the development of sector today. These include the lack of required fodder production systems, limited access to genetic material (semen) of high productivity breeds of cattle and low efficiency of veterinary services.