Modern Methods of Increasing The Economic Efficiency of Onion Cultivation and Their Practical Results

Abstract

Enhancing the efficiency of agricultural production has become a strategic priority worldwide due to increasing food security concerns and climate-induced resource constraints. In Uzbekistan, onion cultivation plays a critical role in vegetable farming, with significant growth in production over recent years. However, the sector faces challenges related to water scarcity, high post-harvest losses, and limited agrologistics. Despite the introduction of modern technologies in global agriculture, their systematic application and economic evaluation in Uzbekistan’s onion sector remain underexplored. This study aims to analyze the impact of modern agrotechnologies—such as drip irrigation, agrodrones, and refrigerated storage—on the economic efficiency of onion cultivation in Uzbekistan. Field data collected from Jizzakh and Surkhandarya regions demonstrate that drip irrigation reduced water consumption by 35–40% and increased yields by 2.7–3 times. The use of agrodrones decreased labor and input costs while improving pest control by 40%. Storage losses declined from 12% to 4% with the adoption of modern refrigeration, increasing export potential by 1.5 times. The research integrates real farm-level data and highlights the application of advanced technologies in Uzbekistan's specific agro-climatic context, revealing substantial productivity gains and economic benefits. The findings support the formulation of agrocluster-based models and suggest that scaling these technologies can enhance food security, boost exports, and raise rural incomes, aligning with the goals of the “Uzbekistan-2030” strategy.