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Uzbekistan has entered into a substantial land lease agreement with Belarus, acquiring 4,000 hectares of agricultural land for a long-term project focused on cattle breeding. This move comes as Belarus grapples with a deepening agricultural crisis, marked by rising livestock mortality rates and systemic issues within its farming sector.

Uzbekistan's Agricultural Initiative

The agreement will see Uzbekistan establish a large-scale cattle breeding operation on the leased Belarusian land. The initial phase of the project aims to raise one thousand head of cattle. This initiative is a collaborative effort between enterprises in Uzbekistan's Kashkadarya region and their Belarusian partners.

The strategic logic behind Uzbekistan's involvement is straightforward: to produce beef in Belarus for export to Uzbekistan, while simultaneously importing dried fruits, garden produce, and grapes from Uzbekistan into Belarus. This exchange was formalized during a working visit by an Uzbek delegation to Belarus, where discussions also focused on broader cooperation and establishing a long-term strategic partnership.

Uzbek representatives conducted a thorough examination of livestock complexes and trade networks in Belarus's Vitebsk region. This included assessing infrastructure, fodder availability, and the overall operational environment, indicating a serious commitment to the venture.

Joint Project Details

A formal agreement was signed for the joint project between Uzbekistan's "Asl Yuksalish Savdo" and "Muborak qorako‘lchilik," alongside Belarus's "Sirotinsky" farm. Under this agreement, the Uzbek side will lease 4,000 hectares of arable land for an extended period. The plan is to launch a comprehensive livestock complex on this land, with the first stage involving the raising of 1,000 head of cattle.

Furthermore, an Uzbek company has secured a contract to supply dried fruits, grains, vegetables, and grapes to Belarusian trade networks. This project positions Belarus not just as a production site but also as an integral part of Uzbekistan's supply chain.

Root Causes of Belarus's Agricultural Woes

The state of Belarus's agricultural sector is a growing concern. Despite official statistics often presenting an optimistic outlook, reports from Belarusian media highlight a significant crisis, particularly concerning unprecedented levels of livestock mortality. In the Mogilev region, for instance, this figure has reached a staggering 35.4%.

Key factors contributing to this high mortality rate include a lack of adequate feed, harsh weather conditions, and negligence on the part of farm workers. These issues, while seemingly basic, underscore the severity of the situation in the 21st century.

The overall cattle population in Belarus is also declining. By 2025, the country is projected to have 3.9 million head of cattle, a 2.3% decrease compared to 2024. This follows a trend from the beginning of 2021, when the cattle population exceeded 4 million.

Administrative Responses and International Involvement

In response to the crisis, Minsk has implemented administrative measures, including the initiation of 299 criminal cases for concealing livestock deaths. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has publicly demanded an end to the high mortality rates.

However, the systemic nature of the problem complicates its resolution. In some farms, established livestock breeding technologies are not being followed, exacerbating the situation. There are even reports of premature slaughtering of animals to avoid registering their deaths.

Uzbekistan's intervention in this scenario signals Belarus's reliance on external assistance. A country that once boasted strong performance in livestock farming now requires external support to address fundamental operational challenges. This situation presents an ironic reflection of the vulnerabilities within the administrative system.