The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) strengthened its footprint in Uzbekistan during March 2026, bringing together industry stakeholders to accelerate the shift towards regenerative and sustainable cotton production.

The highlight of the month was the first-ever Uzbekistan Programme Partner Meeting, held in Fergana on March 27–28, which gathered around 40 participants from cotton textile clusters, including agronomists, production managers and sustainability experts. Discussions focused on aligning the next phase of Uzbekistan’s transition to regenerative cotton, alongside updates to BCI’s Principles & Criteria (v3.2).

Participants identified key priorities for the upcoming season, including capacity building, gender equality initiatives and the adoption of digital tools for crop monitoring. Knowledge sharing also covered biological pest control methods and non-chemical crop protection solutions.

A field visit to a cotton cluster in Kushtepa provided practical insights into on-ground sustainability efforts, including irrigation optimisation and processing improvements.

Momentum continued with a multistakeholder consultation in Tashkent on March 31, where government bodies, clusters and private sector players reviewed progress under the 2025–2027 roadmap. The programme reached over 700 participants in 2025, supporting advancements in regenerative agriculture, decent work and supply chain transparency.

An introductory session held the same day attracted strong interest from cotton producers, with representatives from 19 clusters exploring participation in the BCI programme and its sustainability framework.