Iowa State University (ISU) and Termez State University of Engineering and Agrotechnologies (TSUEA) are exploring a strategic partnership to establish a Seed Science Center at the TSUEA campus modeled after the internationally recognized Seed Science Center in Ames, Iowa.
The initiative represents a major step toward strengthening seed systems, agricultural innovation, and scientific capacity in Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asian region following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation and Understanding between the two universities.
The long-term goal of the partnership is to create a modern scientific and educational platform capable of supporting agricultural innovation, strengthening seed security, and advancing research, education, and workforce development throughout Central Asia
The proposed Seed Science Center would be located on the TSUEA campus in Termez, a strategically important agricultural and trade center in southern Uzbekistan near the Afghan border. The Surkhandarya Region’s climate and agricultural production systems provide strong opportunities for applied research in crop improvement, seed systems, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural technologies.
Because Termez serves as a gateway connecting Central and South Asia, university leaders believe the future center could evolve into a regional hub for seed science, technology transfer, applied agricultural research, faculty development, and international collaboration.
Supporting agricultural innovation in southern Uzbekistan
The collaboration is also expected to help address several important seed security challenges facing Central Asia, including limited access to high-quality seed, weak seed testing and quality assurance systems, climate-related production risks, evolving pest and disease pressures, and insufficient infrastructure for varietal testing, seed storage, and professional training.
By strengthening scientific capacity and supporting the development of modern seed systems, the partnership aims to improve farmer access to reliable, high-performing seed varieties adapted to local environmental conditions.
As part of the collaboration, TSUEA leverages approximately 50 hectares of field trial areas to support ISU visiting scientists, collaborative research projects, and field-based experimentation adapted to local environmental conditions.
Another major component of the proposed partnership involves short- and medium-term faculty training programs designed to strengthen academic and scientific capacity at TSUEA, according to Asliddin Najmiddinov, head of TSUEA’s International Cooperation Department.
Through collaboration with ISU faculty and specialists, TSUEA faculty members would gain exposure to advanced teaching methodologies, research practices, laboratory systems, and modern seed science and agricultural technologies. The initiative is intended to strengthen institutional capacity while promoting the exchange of scientific expertise, educational innovation, and research best practices between the two universities.
The institutions are also exploring opportunities for joint scientific publications, collaborative research projects, and long-term academic networking.
The collaboration would encourage faculty members and researchers to pursue shared research interests and publish jointly in internationally recognized journals.
A shared vision
“We are honored to begin this important collaboration with TSUEA, which reflects a shared commitment to strengthening agricultural innovation, scientific capacity, and seed system development in Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asian region,” said Scott Heuchelin, director of ISU’s Seed Science Center.
“This collaboration represents an especially important milestone because it establishes, for the first time, a meaningful institutional footprint for the Seed Science Center in Central Asia.”
“We view this partnership not simply as an academic agreement, but as a strategic opportunity to help strengthen seed security in a region facing increasing agricultural pressures related to climate variability, water scarcity, evolving pest and disease threats, limited access to high-quality seed, and the need for stronger research and seed testing infrastructure,” said Lulu Rodriguez, Global Programs Lead of the Seed Science Center.
“We are particularly excited about the opportunity to work alongside TSUEA in developing the scientific talent, institutional capacity, and international partnerships needed to support the next generation of agricultural innovation in Central Asia.”
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About the Seed Science Center at Iowa State University
The Seed Science Center is a globally recognized center of excellence in seed research, education, technology transfer, and international agricultural development. Established more than 135 years ago, the Center is home to one of the world’s largest public seed testing laboratories and provides leadership in seed quality, seed health, seed conditioning, seed policy, and workforce development.
Through research, outreach, training, and international partnerships, the Seed Science Center works closely with industry, government agencies, researchers, and development organizations to strengthen seed systems and support global food security through science-based innovation and education.
About Termez State University of Engineering and Agrotechnologies
Termez State University of Engineering and Agrotechnologies, located in Termez, Uzbekistan, is an emerging institution focused on engineering, agriculture, applied science, and technological innovation. The university serves the agriculturally important Surkhandarya Region and seeks to expand its international partnerships and research capacity.
TSUEA plays an increasingly important role in supporting agricultural modernization and workforce development in southern Uzbekistan through applied research, technical training, and innovation-driven education. Because of its strategic location near the intersection of Central and South Asia, the university is well positioned to become a regional hub for agricultural research, seed systems development, and international scientific collaboration.