One of Uzbekistan’s most significant challenges over the past two centuries has been the cotton industry. From the Russian Empire to the Soviet Union and the post-independence period, cotton policy left a deep imprint on the country politically, environmentally, and socially.
Since the 19th century, empires seeking cheap raw materials turned Uzbekistan into a cotton plantation. Especially during the Soviet era, the cotton campaign took on ideological overtones, leading to serious problems across the republic — from forced labor to the use of toxic chemicals.
Forced labor — a national tragedy
Students, schoolchildren, and even young children were mobilized for cotton picking from September to December. The education system halted; teachers and doctors were sent to the fields. This not only deprived the younger generation of education but also caused numerous health issues.
Environmental crisis — the drying of the Aral Sea
Excessive irrigation for cotton production led to the drying of the Aral Sea. Millions of cubic meters of water from the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers were diverted for cotton fields. As a result, one of the world's largest water bodies — the Aral — tragically disappeared.
Time of change
With President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's rise to power, forced labor was brought to an end. Since 2017, students, teachers, and healthcare workers have been strictly prohibited from participating in cotton harvesting. The role of cotton as a tool of total control is gradually being eliminated.
