erj Eurasian Research Journal 2519-2442 2519-2442 Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University Regional Studies Bölgesel Çalışmalar FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2154-9033 Aryn Berik L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6367-6206 Hajjaji Abdelaziz Islamic Organisation for Food Security 05 01 2026 8 2 185 202 03 06 2026 04 21 2026 Copyright © 2019, Eurasian Research Journal 2019 Eurasian Research Journal

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.

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