The Department of Agronomy and Soil Science traces its history to 1959, when the Department of Fundamentals of Agriculture was established within the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute. The newly established department brought together highly qualified specialists working in various branches of the agricultural sector.

In 2022, the Department of Agronomy and Soil Science was established on the basis of the Department of Soil Science. It is currently headed by Otabek Rafoilovich Umarov, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biological Sciences and Associate Professor.

The department employs 20 academic staff members. Three hold doctoral degrees, including one Doctor of Science (DSc), while nine hold a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree or the academic title of Associate Professor. The department's academic research capacity is 63%.

Otabek Rafoilovich Umarov

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biological Sciences, Associate Professor

The specialization includes more than 15 doctoral candidates and independent researchers.

Faculty members have published numerous articles and conference abstracts in Scopus-indexed journals and international and national conference proceedings, and have obtained copyright certificates. During the 2025–2026 academic year, they published 2 textbooks, 5 teaching manuals and 2 monographs.

Cooperation with the People's Republic of China

Under the Rector's Order No. 12-XC dated January 12, 2026, a Bukhara State University delegation visited the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Beijing and Jinan. The delegation included the Head of Department, Otabek Rafoilovich Umarov.

The visit focused on expanding cooperation in agriculture, agronomy, soil science, agricultural biotechnology, agricultural digitalization, the application of artificial intelligence in agriculture and the procurement of modern laboratory equipment.

Lectures by a Texas Tech University Professor

Under the Rector's Order No. 113-U dated February 19, 2026, Dani Raviprakash Govindrao, a professor at Texas Tech University, USA, was invited to deliver classroom instruction in Soil Science to students of the department.

The professor delivered a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction covering modern soil science, soil fertility assessment, scientific analysis of soil composition and properties, the effects of soil factors on crop yields, sustainable soil resource management and sustainable farming systems.

These activities supported the implementation of Presidential Resolutions No. PQ-2909 of April 20, 2017 and No. PQ-3775 of June 5, 2018, while expanding international cooperation and improving educational quality.

Cooperation with Higher Education Institutions in India

Under the Rector's Order No. 190-XC dated April 23, 2026, university representatives visited Mumbai, Delhi, Raipur and Agra. Otabek Rafoilovich Umarov and Odiljon Bafoyevich Sharipov participated in the visit.

Discussions addressed cooperation in agronomy, soil science, agriculture, digital technologies and scientific research, faculty and researcher exchanges, joint research projects, scientific publications, internships and broader academic opportunities for students. The development of cooperation roadmaps was also considered.

Teaching Rooms and Laboratories

The department provides classrooms for lectures, seminars, practical classes and laboratory sessions, equipped according to curriculum requirements. These facilities support the application of theoretical knowledge, the development of practical skills and the acquisition of professional competencies.

Equipment and Educational Resources

Teaching rooms are equipped with computers, projectors, electronic whiteboards, demonstration materials, laboratory instruments, measuring devices and other subject-specific equipment. Software, digital educational resources and internet access are available for teaching and learning.

The facilities support lectures, practical classes, independent study, coursework, laboratory investigations and scientific research. They are particularly important for soil sample analysis, the study of agricultural processes, agrochemical measurements and hands-on experiments.

Facilities and equipment are regularly monitored, maintained and progressively upgraded as necessary to ensure continuity of teaching and improve educational quality.