SDG2: Zero Hunger
Student food insecurity and hunger
Bukhara State University has taken several steps to address student food insecurity and support students’ well-being, especially during challenging times. The university has implemented a program that ensures students, particularly those residing in university dormitories, are provided with essential meals and support to prevent hunger and food insecurity.
- Extended Winter Break Support
Due to the severe cold weather in January, the university extended the winter break until January 22. However, many students from remote regions stayed in the university’s dormitories. To ensure they had access to proper meals, the university, in collaboration with voluntary sponsors, organized daily food provisions. From January 16 to January 21, traditional Uzbek meals, specifically the national dish osh, were provided to students staying in the dormitories at 5:00 PM every evening. - Student Meal Program during Cold Weather
Recognizing that university dining facilities were closed, and to avoid students going out in freezing temperatures for meals, the university ensured students had access to food within the dormitories. This initiative not only addressed food insecurity but also promoted students’ health and safety during extreme weather.
Community Engagement and Well-being
In addition to meal provisions, the university organized cultural and entertainment programs, including concerts, to enhance students’ overall well-being and ensure their mental and emotional health during this period.
These initiatives demonstrate Bukhara State University’s commitment to combating student food insecurity and hunger through organized food support programs, particularly during times of hardship.
Access to Food Security Knowledge
Bukhara State University (BuxDU) has been actively involved in providing local farmers and food producers with access to essential knowledge and skills in the areas of food security, sustainable agriculture, and biotechnology. Several events and collaborations have been held to promote the dissemination of expertise in these critical areas.
- Seminar on Cultivating Medicinal Plants
Bukhara State University’s Biotechnology and Food Safety Department, in collaboration with the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, conducted a scientific seminar and training on cultivating medicinal plants in the Bukhara region. The seminar provided farmers and producers with important insights into cultivating plants that are both commercially viable and beneficial for health, addressing food security from a sustainable perspective.
Mushroom Cultivation for Food Security
The Biotechnology Laboratory at Bukhara State University successfully implemented experiments on cultivating Veshenka mushrooms, a highly nutritious species rich in proteins and vitamins, which rivals beef in nutritional value. This knowledge was shared with local farmers to promote sustainable cultivation practices and boost local food security. The university’s professors are also planning to expand this initiative to include the industrial-scale cultivation of Kozydumba mushrooms, further contributing to the local food supply.
Support to Local Farmers on Biotechnology and Food Security
A delegation of Bukhara State University professors, including those from the Biotechnology and Food Safety Department, under the leadership of the university’s rector, visited farmers in the Vobkent District to provide scientific and practical assistance. This initiative focused on offering local farmers guidance on biotechnology applications in aquaculture, efficient irrigation technologies, and sustainable agricultural practices. The goal was to enhance food production and security by sharing innovative methods such as the cultivation of medicinal plants and the application of sustainable water management techniques.
International Cooperation for Agricultural Innovation
Bukhara State University’s faculty, during an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran, engaged in discussions and signed memoranda with top universities and research institutes. The focus was on aquaculture, water-saving technologies, organic waste treatment, and food security. These collaborations aim to introduce sustainable practices such as microscopic algae cultivation, soil fertility enhancement, and preventing soil salinization, which are crucial for ensuring sustainable agricultural practices and improving food security in the region.
These efforts illustrate Bukhara State University’s commitment to providing access to food security knowledge and sustainable agriculture techniques, empowering local farmers with the skills and technologies necessary for improving agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in Uzbekistan.
University access to local farmers and food producers
Bukhara State University (BuxDU) is committed to promoting sustainable farming practices by providing local farmers and food producers with access to its facilities, technology, and scientific expertise. Several initiatives have been carried out by the university’s Agronomy and Biotechnology Faculty, particularly through its Biotechnology and Food Safety Department, in collaboration with local stakeholders.
Cultivation of Edible Mushrooms (Veshenka) at the Biotechnology Laboratory
The professors and researchers at the university’s Biotechnology Laboratory successfully conducted experiments on cultivating Veshenka mushrooms. Known for their high protein and vitamin content, these mushrooms provide a nutritious alternative to traditional meat products. In addition to Veshenka, the university has plans to cultivate Kozydumba mushrooms at an industrial scale. The Biotechnology and Food Safety Department shares this knowledge with local food producers, encouraging them to adopt mushroom cultivation as a sustainable and nutritious food source, thereby improving sustainable farming practices in the region.
Learning and Implementing “In Vitro” Techniques for Agricultural Crops
A group of professors from the Biotechnology and Food Safety Department, including F. Jumayev, S. Khojiyev, D. Buriyeva, and S. Shadiyeva, participated in training at the Denevoagro Company’s in vitro laboratory in Tashkent. Here, they learned innovative biotechnological “in vitro” methods to propagate agricultural crops such as grapes, raspberries, paulownia, and seedless pomegranates. These advanced propagation techniques enhance crop yield and quality while reducing the environmental impact of traditional farming methods. The university plans to make this biotechnological expertise and laboratory resources available to local farmers, improving their access to modern agricultural technologies and practices.
Through these initiatives, Bukhara State University demonstrates its role in fostering sustainable agriculture by providing access to facilities like laboratories and sharing cutting-edge biotechnological methods with local farmers. This not only improves agricultural productivity but also contributes to the sustainability of food production in the region.