According to FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS), Uzbekistan's 2026 cereal production is forecast at an above-average 8.9 million tonnes, including 7.3 million tonnes of wheat. But a strong harvest doesn't happen by itself — thorough preparation for the spring season is the key to success.
In April, planting of spring crops — cotton, maize, rice, vegetables — begins across the country. In this guide, we break down the 7 most important steps to prepare for the 2026 spring planting season.
1. Soil Analysis — Everything Starts Here
Field preparation should begin with soil testing. Most farmers skip this step — and it's the biggest mistake they can make.
A soil analysis will show you:
- pH level — soil acidity. Optimal for cotton: 6.0–7.5
- Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) content — for accurate fertilization planning
- Organic matter percentage — soil fertility indicator
- Salt content — salinity level, especially critical in Bukhara, Navoi, Karakalpakstan
Testing can be ordered at regional agro-laboratories or through UFarmer's Agro Analysis service. It's recommended to test soil at least once every 2–3 years.
2. Crop Rotation Planning
Planting the same crop on the same field year after year depletes the soil and increases pest populations. Create a crop rotation plan for 2026:
- Cotton → wheat → legumes (mung bean, beans) — the classic Uzbekistan rotation
- In vegetable farming: tomatoes → onions → carrots → cabbage rotation works well
- Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil — reducing fertilizer costs by 25–30% the following year
Specialists from Tashkent State Agrarian University are conducting field seminars in March–April, offering practical guidance on managing winter crops in Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Bukhara, and Navoi regions.
3. Seed Selection and Preparation
Quality seeds are the guarantee of a strong harvest. What to consider when selecting seeds for 2026:
- Use certified seeds — tested and inspected, with germination guarantees
- Choose region-appropriate varieties: cotton varieties for the Fergana Valley differ from those suited to Surkhandarya
- Pre-treat seeds: disinfection (fundazol or vitavax treatment), drying, calibration
- Seeding rates: cotton — 60–80 kg/ha, maize — 20–25 kg/ha
Uzbekistan's Seed Development Center is in talks with Poland on introducing new sustainable seed technologies.
4. Irrigation System Inspection and Preparation
According to FAO data, up to 40% of irrigation water in Uzbekistan is wasted. Before the spring season, conduct a full inspection of your irrigation system:
- Clean canals and ditches — silt and plant debris slow water flow
- Check drip irrigation systems — filters, emitters, pipelines
- Create a watering schedule — coordinate with your regional water management department
- Regularly measure soil moisture at 20 cm depth — every 2 weeks
Autumn precipitation was near average, improving soil moisture reserves. However, regular irrigation will be needed from early April.
5. Fertilization Strategy
Based on your soil analysis results, create a fertilization plan. Key principles:
- Base application — 2–3 weeks before planting: phosphorus and potassium fertilizers
- At planting — a small dose of starter nitrogen fertilizer (ammonium phosphate)
- Top-dressing — 2–3 times during the growing season: urea, ammonium nitrate
- Organic fertilizers — manure, compost, vermicompost — use whenever possible
The ILO's Rise for Impact project conducted practical workshops for cotton farmers in Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions in March — covering sustainable farming, resource conservation, and biological methods. We recommend applying these approaches.
6. Pest and Disease Management Strategy
Prepare your crop protection plan for the spring season in advance:
- Biological methods — beneficial insects such as Trichogramma, Bracon, and Lacewing. These methods were highlighted at ILO workshops
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) — combining chemical and biological approaches
- Early detection — weekly field inspections, photo-based disease diagnosis using AI systems
- Prevention — crop rotation, healthy seeds, clearing field margins of debris
The Bioximagro YouTube channel offers practical video tutorials on plant nutrition and biological protection.
7. Financial Preparation and Government Support
Financial readiness is just as important for the 2026 spring season:
- Preferential loans — for fruit cultivation: 7-year term, 18% rate, 24-month grace period (Presidential decree)
- Microcredit — through Mikrokreditbank for small farming operations
- Mechanization — $400 million in foreign credit allocated for cotton harvesting and processing machinery (Resolution PQ-97)
- Irrigation subsidies — government support for water-saving technologies
Under Agrobank's 25-trillion-soum digitalization program, new digital services, a farmer SuperApp, and regional agro-service zones are being created.
Conclusion: Start the Season Right
The 2026 harvest outlook is positive — FAO confirms above-average cereal production is expected. But the result depends on the farmer's preparation. Start with soil analysis, carefully select seeds, inspect your irrigation system, and create a pest management plan. Every step is an investment in your future harvest.
Use UFarmer's Agro Calendar to automatically plan your work schedule and never miss important agronomic activities. The AI Scanner helps identify plant diseases from a photo.
