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Posted: November 28, 2025
Uzbekistan has introduced a new fund to reimburse cotton farms and producers for the cost of obtaining Better Cotton Initiative certification. The initiative aims to increase participation in sustainable farming practices by offering financial support, policy guidance, and simplified processes through a partnership between the Light Industry Agency and Better Cotton.
Uzbekistan has taken a major step toward expanding sustainable cotton production by creating a national fund that reimburses farms and producers for the cost of obtaining Better Cotton Initiative certification. Managed by the newly formed Light Industry Agency, the fund is designed to remove financial barriers and encourage wider adoption of responsible farming practices across the country. The initiative includes tax benefits, streamlined logistics, and preferential loan programs that support Uzbekistan’s broader goals within the Better Cotton certification landscape.
Better Cotton’s Uzbekistan program head, Katerina Gorbunova, emphasized that the cost of certification can be a significant challenge for farms worldwide and noted that this fund will play a critical role in accelerating progress. The agreement builds on last year’s roadmap signed by Better Cotton, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Textile and Garment Industry Association. The partnership now shifts into an operational phase that focuses on funding, clarifying institutional responsibilities, and introducing new policy measures to support sustainable cotton at the national level.
The collaboration was formally announced at Better Cotton’s annual multi-stakeholder meeting in Tashkent, which brought together government agencies, global organizations, industry groups, and civil society representatives. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Uztekstilprom, the International Labour Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization joined the discussion on advancing the cotton sector. Light Industry Agency director Nozim Kholmuradov said the fund will help increase income for cotton-producing enterprises and strengthen the position of Uzbekistan’s textile companies in global markets, noting that long-term partnership with Better Cotton is essential to reaching these goals. With continued support for certification and sustainable practices, Uzbekistan aims to scale its role in the Better Cotton certification system.
