Description:
Given the importance of agriculture for the whole Ferghana basin, natural resources such as land and water have historically been amongst the most important factor in this regions development. The size of the population depending upon these resources is consequently a key political security, and environmental issue. The Ferghana valley is the most populous area in Central Asia. High population densities increase the risk of depletion of natural resources, and thus competition and even conflict for their control. Rural overpopulation and increasingly young population put the whole region under demographic pressure. The situation is aggravated by the lack of jobs and opportunities in general, especially in marginalized areas.