Research on World Agricultural Economy

Aligning Agricultural Development with ESG Goals: Pathways for Central Asia in the Global Context

Chinara Usenbekovna Adamkulova

Department of Economics, Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn, Bishkek 720000, Kyrgyz Republic

Arsen Stalbekovich Akhunbaev

Department of Economics, Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn, Bishkek 720000, Kyrgyz Republic

Yujie Liu

Department of Management, Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn, Bishkek 720000, Kyrgyz Republic

Nelli Ilyinichna Akylbekova

Department of Management, Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn, Bishkek 720000, Kyrgyz Republic

Nuri Bekposunovna Mambetkazieva

Department of Economics, Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn, Bishkek 720000, Kyrgyz Republic

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v7i2.2764

Received: 20 September 2025 | Revised: 28 October 2025 | Accepted: 10 November 2025 | Published Online: 11 May 2026

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Abstract

Agriculture in Central Asia faces a dual challenge: sustaining economic growth while addressing profound environmental degradation and social vulnerabilities. This study explores how the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) can be applied to align agricultural development in the region with global sustainability standards. Based on a qualitative review of academic literature, policy documents, and international experiences, the analysis highlights both the shared legacies and the divergent reform trajectories of the five Central Asian states. The findings reveal that while economic reforms have created new opportunities, ecological and social dimensions of sustainability remain weak. Kazakhstan demonstrates the potential of organic agriculture to attract investment and enhance competitiveness, yet institutional support and certification systems are underdeveloped. Kyrgyzstan illustrates the promise of community-based governance through pasture and water user associations, although financial fragility limits scalability. In Tajikistan, smallholder diversification and conservation farming contribute to resilience but are constrained by governance weaknesses. Turkmenistan’s highly centralized agricultural system illustrates the limits of ESG integration under conditions of opacity, while Uzbekistan represents a system in transition where diversification and liberalization offer progress but water management and certification remain unresolved. Across the region, three themes are decisive: the urgent need for efficient water governance, the importance of social inclusion to strengthen rural livelihoods, and the central role of credible institutions in ensuring transparency and accountability. The study concludes that ESG integration is essential not only for securing access to international markets but also for building resilience and ensuring long-term competitiveness of Central Asian agriculture.

Keywords: Central Asia; Agriculture; ESG Principles; Sustainability; Organic Farming; Water Governance; Rural Development

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