The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a request for concept papers from private agritourism enterprises in Uzbekistan to boost domestic and regional tourism. The announcement is made through the USAID Agribusiness Development Activity’s recently established “Agribusiness Development Fund”.
On a global scale, agritourism has proven to be an effective instrument of rural development. It benefits small farming enterprises as an additional source of income, improves rural infrastructure, and creates new jobs. In Uzbekistan, an agricultural country with almost half the population residing in rural areas, this industry has great potential to become a major driver of rural development.
In order to support local private enterprises in creating value-added agritourism products and services, the fund announced a request for concept papers and will co-finance activities that will boost sales, increase visits by tourists, and promote employment opportunities for women and youth. The USAID Agribusiness Development Activity welcomes concept papers from eligible agribusinesses and particularly from women- and youth-owned business enterprises.
The USAID Agribusiness Development Activity, a five-year activity, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, supports private sector-led growth in Uzbekistan’s agriculture sector by introducing new value-added technologies and management practices across the entire value chain for targeted agricultural commodities. These efforts will be focused on increasing value-added production within Uzbekistan, engaging women and youth, linking educational institutions with private sector demand, and promoting favorable policies for agriculture.
