SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Although simple connections are often drawn between agricultural commercialisation and food security, nevertheless evidence is far more complex because of the context-specific and multidimensional dynamics by which market transition proceeds. This PhD looks at the case of Uzbekistan by investigating the production patterns and consumption patterns of four groups of producers. The research adopts mixed methods. The quantitative component is a purposive farmer survey which helps to explore the microeconomic implications of agrarian economy on food access, dietary diversity, assets and labour. This has been complemented with semi-structured interviews to relevant stakeholders to broaden up the question on what is the political economy implications of the different agrarian productions for different farmers, and how it relates to food provision and socio-economic transformation. It begins by questioning measurements of commercialisation and market integration, and proposes an alternative way of understanding marketisation in the Uzbek context. It then investigates the nature of consumption patterns and reflects on inadequacy of available measures of food consumption and diets. Despite this, clear patterns are drawn, which are then used to construct an analysis of which way food regime in Uzbekistan has been proceeding, and the role of the state in shaping it. The contribution of this PhD is to add an empirical basis of an under-researched country, and to contribute to the theorization of the relationship between market transition, food outcomes, and state interests.