FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE

FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE

Berik ARYN & Abdelaziz HAJJAJI

ÖZET
Food security is a complex challenge in Central Asia, impacted by climate change, water scarcity, land degradation, and disconnected governance systems. Although the region has high agricultural potential, particularly in cereals and irrigated agriculture, food security conditions differ across countries. This research explores the major issues underlying food security in Central Asia, including limited agricultural land, production trends, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and policy context. It also identifies systemic weaknesses, including inconsistencies across agriculture, water, and energy policies. At the same time, it highlights opportunities to strengthen food system resilience through better data, early warning systems, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable water governance, regional cooperation, and stakeholder engagement. This work adopts a qualitative comparative analysis based on national strategies, official government reports, and academic literature. The findings recommend a regional roadmap for long-term food security and conclude that strengthening regional coordination, improving water governance, and investing in climate-resilient agriculture are essential for Central Asia.

ABSTRACT
Food security is a complex challenge in Central Asia, impacted by climate change, water scarcity, land degradation, and disconnected governance systems. Although the region has high agricultural potential, particularly in cereals and irrigated agriculture, food security conditions differ across countries. This research explores the major issues underlying food security in Central Asia, including limited agricultural land, production trends, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and policy context. It also identifies systemic weaknesses, including inconsistencies across agriculture, water, and energy policies. At the same time, it highlights opportunities to strengthen food system resilience through better data, early warning systems, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable water governance, regional cooperation, and stakeholder engagement. This work adopts a qualitative comparative analysis based on national strategies, official government reports, and academic literature. The findings recommend a regional roadmap for long-term food security and conclude that strengthening regional coordination, improving water governance, and investing in climate-resilient agriculture are essential for Central Asia.

ANAHTAR KELİMELER: Food security, Central Asia, Climate change, Water governance, Regional cooperation

KEYWORDS: Food security, Central Asia, Climate change, Water governance, Regional cooperation

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