THE IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE USE AROUND KOKAND CITY ON FOOD SECURITY

Abstract

This thesis examines the impact of agricultural landscape use around Kokand City on food security based on a geographical approach. The study area encompasses agricultural territories directly adjacent to Kokand City and functionally connected to the city’s food supply. Landscape, territorial-comparative, statistical, and ecological-geographical analysis methods were used in the study. Based on official statistical data, it is shown that agricultural, forestry, and fishery products are produced within Kokand City itself. During January–September 2024, the volume of products from these sectors in the city amounted to 264.8 billion UZS, including 2.7 thousand tons of vegetables, 4.9 thousand tons of fruits, 7.4 thousand tons of milk, and 2.1 thousand tons of meat. At the same time, intensive irrigated farming, soil salinization, the efficiency of water resource use, and urbanization processes were assessed as key factors affecting the sustainability of agricultural landscapes. The study substantiates the need to monitor peri-urban agro-landscapes using GIS and remote sensing, improve irrigation efficiency, and control the transformation of productive agricultural land to strengthen food security.