Research Article

FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE

Volume: 8 Number: 2 May 1, 2026
  • Berik Aryn *
  • Abdelaziz Hajjaji

FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE

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.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This work did not require approval from an ethics committee as it did not involve human participants, animals, or sensitive personal data. All data used in this research were obtained from publicly available sources.

References

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  2. Asian Development Bank. (2021a). Energy policy 2021. https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/737086/energy-policy-2021.pdf
  3. Asian Development Bank. (2021b). Asian Development Outlook 2021: Financing a green and inclusive recovery. https://www.adb.org/publications/asian-development-outlook-2021
  4. Astana Times. (2025, November 10). Central Asian agriculture ministers sign joint declaration and food security plan through 2030. https://astanatimes.com/2025/11/central-asian-agriculture-ministers-sign-joint-declaration-and-food-security-plan-through-2030/
  5. Bobojonov, I., & Aw-Hassan, A. (2014). Impacts of climate change on farm income security in Central Asia: An integrated modeling approach. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 188, 245–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2014.02.033
  6. Committee on World Food Security. (2013). Global strategic framework for food security and nutrition. FAO.
  7. Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia. (2023). Joint statement of the Fifth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia. https://www.president.tj/event/news/45777
  8. Djanibekov, N., van Assche, K., Bobojonov, I., & Lamers, J. P. A. (2012). Farm restructuring and land consolidation in Uzbekistan: New farms with old barriers. Europe-Asia Studies, 64(6), 1101–1126. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2012.691720

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Regional Studies

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Berik Aryn * This is me
0009-0000-2154-9033
Kazakhstan

Abdelaziz Hajjaji This is me
0000-0002-6367-6206
Kazakhstan

Publication Date

May 1, 2026

Submission Date

March 6, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 21, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 2

APA
Aryn, B., & Hajjaji, A. (2026). FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE. Eurasian Research Journal, 8(2), 185-202. https://izlik.org/JA75XE76MY
AMA
1.Aryn B, Hajjaji A. FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE. ERJ. 2026;8(2):185-202. https://izlik.org/JA75XE76MY
Chicago
Aryn, Berik, and Abdelaziz Hajjaji. 2026. “FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE”. Eurasian Research Journal 8 (2): 185-202. https://izlik.org/JA75XE76MY.
EndNote
Aryn B, Hajjaji A (May 1, 2026) FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE. Eurasian Research Journal 8 2 185–202.
IEEE
[1]B. Aryn and A. Hajjaji, “FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE”, ERJ, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 185–202, May 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA75XE76MY
ISNAD
Aryn, Berik - Hajjaji, Abdelaziz. “FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE”. Eurasian Research Journal 8/2 (May 1, 2026): 185-202. https://izlik.org/JA75XE76MY.
JAMA
1.Aryn B, Hajjaji A. FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE. ERJ. 2026;8:185–202.
MLA
Aryn, Berik, and Abdelaziz Hajjaji. “FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE”. Eurasian Research Journal, vol. 8, no. 2, May 2026, pp. 185-02, https://izlik.org/JA75XE76MY.
Vancouver
1.Berik Aryn, Abdelaziz Hajjaji. FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CHALLENGES AND PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCE. ERJ [Internet]. 2026 May 1;8(2):185-202. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA75XE76MY

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