The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing the “One Country — One Priority Product” (OCOP) initiative to create sustainable value chains for specific agricultural products (SAP). Currently, 87 countries participate in OCOP, promoting 53 SAPs. Sweet cherry has been selected as Uzbekistan’s priority, highlighting its role in enhancing food security, supporting small farmers, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.

On October 25, 2024, the first meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) was held to support Uzbekistan’s National Working Group in implementing the OCOP. Representatives from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, the Agri-Industrial Development Agency, the Agency for Plant Quarantine and Protection, the Mirzaev Institute of Horticulture, Viticulture, and Winemaking, private agribusinesses, and the EU Agricultural Support Program (EUASKFacility) attended. The efforts of these groups focus on developing a sustainable value chain for sweet cherry, benefiting small farmers, boosting the local economy, and protecting the environment.

The TWG will foster collaboration among government agencies, farmer associations, the private sector, and research institutions while coordinating OCOP’s implementation. This FAO-led initiative aims to help countries establish sustainable agricultural supply chains for SAPs, linking them to their regions through geographic indicators and cultural heritage. This initiative aligns with the FAO’s 2022-2031 Strategic Framework and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Currently, 11 countries in Europe and Central Asia are advancing SAPs through OCOP, including Albania (chestnut), Azerbaijan (pomegranate), Kazakhstan (apples), and Turkey (figs).