Visiting Fellow Talk: "Horticulture versus Cotton" Explores Women's Well-being in Uzbek Villages

On November 5, 2024, the CAREC Institute hosted a Visiting Fellow Talk featuring Ms. Suray Charyyeva, who presented her research titled “Horticulture versus Cotton: A Comparative Qualitative Analysis of Women’s Well-being in Uzbek Villages.” Held at the CI Headquarters, the session invited CI staff who actively participated and contributed to the discussion.

Ms. Charyyeva’s analysis underscored the profound impact of shifting from cotton monoculture to horticulture on the well-being of rural women in Uzbekistan. Her findings indicate that adopting horticultural crops not only enhances financial stability for women farmers and daily wage workers but also improves their access to education and health services. However, the research suggests that, while horticulture positively influences economic conditions, it does not significantly alter the social dynamics within the community.

In her recommendations, Ms. Charyyeva emphasized the importance of supportive policies to facilitate this transition, including improved access to financial resources and education for women. She urged stakeholders to recognize the unique challenges faced by rural women and to promote initiatives that empower them through sustainable agricultural practices. The talk concluded with a call for further research to explore the long-term impacts of these agricultural shifts on women’s livelihoods and community well-being.