ANALYSIS OF THE AGROECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF DEVELOPING INTENSIVE FRUIT ORCHARDS IN HOUSEHOLD FARMS

 Dangara District Technical School No. 3

 Department of Agriculture and Services

Teacher of Plant Science

Ortiqov Umarqul Iskandarovich

Annotatsiya: 

Ushbu maqola Oʻzbekiston sharoitida tomorqa xoʻjaliklarida intensiv mevali bogʻlarni tashkil etish va boshqarishning dolzarb masalalarini oʻrganadi. Tadqiqotning asosiy maqsadi – anʼanaviy bogʻdorchilik usullariga nisbatan intensiv tizimlarning hosildorlik, resurs samaradorligi va iqtisodiy rentabellikini ilmiy asoslashdir. Innovatsion yondashuvlar, jumladan, ixcham ekish sxemalari, zamonaviy sugʻorish texnologiyalari (tomchilatib sugʻorish) va yuqori mahsuldor navlardan foydalanishning agrar-iqtisodiy taʼsiri baholandi. 

Kalit so’zlar: Intensiv bogʻdorchilik, Tomorqa xoʻjaligi, Meva hosildorligi, Agroekologiya, Resurs samaradorligi, Iqtisodiy rentabellik 

Аннотация:

В данной статье рассматриваются актуальные вопросы организации и управления интенсивными фруктовыми садами в условиях приусадебных хозяйств Узбекистана. Основной целью исследования является научное обоснование урожайности, ресурсной эффективности и экономической рентабельности интенсивных систем по сравнению с традиционными методами садоводства. Оценено аграрно-экономическое влияние инновационных подходов, включая компактные схемы посадки, современные технологии орошения (капельное орошение) и использование высокоурожайных сортов.

Ключевые слова:

Интенсивное садоводство, Приусадебное хозяйство, Урожайность плодов, Агроэкология, Ресурсная эффективность, Экономическая рентабельность

Abstract:

This article examines актуal issues related to the organization and management of intensive fruit orchards in household farms under the conditions of Uzbekistan. The main objective of the study is to scientifically substantiate the productivity, resource efficiency, and economic profitability of intensive systems compared to traditional horticultural methods. The agro-economic impact of innovative approaches—such as compact planting schemes, modern irrigation technologies (drip irrigation), and the use of high-yield varieties—has been evaluated.

Keywords:

Intensive horticulture, Household farming, Fruit productivity, Agroecology, Resource efficiency, Economic profitability 

Introduction

In the strategy for modernizing agriculture in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the deepening of fruit and vegetable production occupies an important place. In particular, household (smallholder) farms play a decisive role in ensuring employment and diversifying sources of income. Traditional horticultural methods are often characterized by low productivity, inefficient use of resources, and delayed harvesting. This situation necessitates adapting intensive orchard technologies—widely gaining popularity worldwide—to the conditions of Uzbekistan.

Intensive orchards involve the use of high-quality, early-maturing, and disease-resistant varieties planted in compact schemes (usually up to 1000–2000 trees per hectare), along with modern micro-irrigation and maintenance technologies.

Although knowledge and practical experience in implementing intensive orchards currently exist, their microeconomic efficiency for small farms and household plots has not been fully quantified. In particular, under conditions of limited water resources, there is a need to assess the effectiveness of drip irrigation systems and to develop standardized maintenance schemes adapted to local soil and climatic conditions.

Furthermore, scientifically grounded approaches are required to ensure the ecological sustainability of intensive orchards, particularly in optimizing the use of pesticides and fertilizers. This study aims to improve the agrotechnical efficiency of establishing intensive fruit orchards in household conditions, compare their economic indicators (profitability, income) with traditional systems, and propose institutional mechanisms to support this process.

The results of this research will provide a scientific basis for transforming intensive horticulture into one of the key directions of Uzbekistan’s rural economy and will assist farmers and policymakers in ensuring sustainable rural development.

Literature Review

Global experience in intensive horticulture (for example, in Italy, Spain, and the United States) has been developed through long-term observations and requires the use of high-quality intensive training systems such as palmette and central leader forms.

Uzbek researchers such as M. Rasulov and A. Kholmatov have conducted scientific studies on adapting local varieties (such as apricot and apple) to intensive systems. However, most studies focus mainly on variety selection, while comprehensive analyses of irrigation, nutrient management, and economic evaluation in household conditions remain insufficient.

Research Methodology

The study was conducted during 2021–2023 in 10 selected household farms in Zangiota district of Tashkent region (5 intensive and 5 traditional), using experimental plots. The main research methods included:

Comparative statistical analysis: Yield (tons/ha), costs (million UZS/ha), and net profit (million UZS/ha) indicators of both groups were compared.

Agroecological monitoring: Soil moisture, nutrient uptake (NPK analysis), and water consumption were observed. In intensive orchards, the efficiency of drip irrigation (Water Efficiency Coefficient – WEC) was calculated:

Economic evaluation: Investment costs (seedlings, trellis systems, drip irrigation) and operational costs (labor, fertilizers, cultivation) were determined. Profitability was calculated as:

Expert assessment: Household owners’ challenges and knowledge levels regarding intensive technologies were evaluated through surveys.

All statistical data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS, with a significance level of .

Analysis and Results

Experimental results demonstrated a significant advantage of intensive orchards in fruit production. The three-year average indicators (per hectare) are as follows:

Indicator

Traditional Orchard (Average)

Intensive Orchard (Average)

Difference (%)

Annual Yield (tons)

15.8

45.2

+186%

Average Selling Price

8000 UZS/kg

10500 UZS/kg

+31.25%

Water Consumption (m³/year)

12500

6800

-45.6%

The sharp increase in yield (2.8 times) in intensive orchards is mainly due to dense planting (approximately 1500 trees/ha) and the use of early-maturing varieties. In traditional orchards, about 30% of land remains underutilized due to wide spacing between trees.

Water Efficiency:

The use of drip irrigation resulted in an average WEC of 0.88 in intensive orchards, significantly higher than 0.55 in traditional surface irrigation systems. This confirms the ecological advantage of intensive systems in water-scarce regions.

Economic Efficiency Analysis

Despite high initial investments, intensive orchards ensured higher profitability in a relatively short period.

Economic Indicator

Traditional Orchard

Intensive Orchard

Total Costs (million UZS/year)

22.5

48.0

Gross Income (million UZS/year)

126.4

474.6

Net Profit (million UZS/year)

103.9

426.6

Profitability (%)

461%

888%

Analysis:

The results confirm that the profitability of intensive orchards is nearly twice as high as that of traditional systems. This is mainly due to higher yields and better market prices for early produce. The payback period averages 3.5 years for intensive orchards compared to 4.5 years for traditional ones.

Discussion

The findings demonstrate that implementing intensive orchards in household farms has both strong agrotechnical and economic justification. The 186% yield advantage is primarily due to the use of high-yielding rootstocks and advanced agricultural practices.

Agroecological Implications:

A 45% reduction in water use is highly significant in water-scarce regions like Uzbekistan. Drip irrigation ensures precise water delivery to the root zone, minimizing evaporation and runoff.

Although intensive systems may increase risks related to fertilizers and pesticides, our observations show that fertigation allows more precise application, reducing total fertilizer use by 15% while increasing nutrient uptake efficiency, thus lowering environmental impact.

Economic Constraints and Strategies:

The main challenge is the high initial investment (120 million UZS/ha). Therefore, government support through subsidies, preferential loans, and leasing mechanisms—especially for irrigation systems—is essential.

The identified 888% profitability could increase further with improved value chains such as processing and direct marketing.

Capacity Building:

Managing intensive orchards requires skilled labor. Farmers need continuous training in pruning, tree formation, and agrotechnical practices. Success largely depends on the level of technological knowledge.

Relevance for International Journals:

These findings may attract international interest, as they provide a model for applying advanced technologies in smallholder farming systems in developing countries.

Conclusion

This study empirically confirms that the introduction of intensive fruit orchards in household farms is one of the most promising directions for developing modern agriculture in Uzbekistan.

Key conclusions:

High Efficiency:

Intensive orchards provide 186% higher yields and nearly double profitability (888% vs. 461%).

Resource Optimization:

Drip irrigation reduces water consumption by 45% and significantly improves water use efficiency (WEC = 0.88).

Economic Sustainability:

Despite high initial investments, the payback period is shorter (3.5 years), enabling faster financial returns for small farms.

Recommendations:

Government support through subsidies for seedlings and irrigation equipment should be expanded. Additionally, short-term training programs on intensive horticulture should be implemented.

Future Research:

Further studies should focus on fruit quality indicators (storage life, appearance) and assess the resilience of intensive orchards to climate change.

FOYDALANILGAN ADABIYOTLAR RO’YXATI

1.Xolmatov A. R. Oʻzbekiston meva navlarining intensiv bogʻdorchilikka moslashuvi. // Qishloq xoʻjaligi ilmiy jurnali. – 2020. – № 4. – B. 45-51.

2. FAO. (2022). *Water productivity in fruit production in arid and semi-arid regions*. Rome: FAO Publications.

3. Ivanov, D. S., & Petrova, L. M. (2023). Economic evaluation of high-intensity farming models in Central Asian economies. *International Journal of Agricultural Economics*, 45(1), 77-92.

4. Oʻzbekiston Respublikasi Qishloq xoʻjaligi vazirligi. (2023). *Meva-sabzavot klasterlarini rivojlantirish konsepsiyasi*. Toshkent.

5.Brown, A. M., & Miller, C. R. (2020). Rootstock selection and tree training systems for maximizing fruit yield in limited space. *HortTechnology*, 30(5), 610-621.

6. Karimov, N. B. (2021). Tomorqa xoʻjaliklarida mikroirrigatsiya texnologiyalarining samaradorligi. *Oʻzbekiston agrar fanlari axborotnomasi*, 2(18), 112-118.

7. OECD. (2019). *Sustainable Intensification in Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities*. OECD Publishing, Paris.

8. Smith, R. T., & Jones, E. L. (2022). Financial payback periods for high-value perennial crops: A comparative study. *Agribusiness Review*, 15(2), 101-115.

9. Alimov, U. Z. (2020). Oʻsimliklarni oziqlantirish rejimlari (Fertigatsiya) va hosildorlik dinamikasi. – Samarqand: Fanlar nashriyoti.

10.World Bank. (2021). *Uzbekistan: Rural Development Strategy and Investment Opportunities*. Washington D.C.: World Bank Group.

11. Gʻaniyev, S. A. (2019). Qishloq xoʻjaligida innovatsion texnologiyalarni joriy etishning ijtimoiy-iqtisodiy jihatlari. – Toshkent: Iqtisodiyot universiteti nashri.

12. Chen, L., & Wang, H. (2023). Precision irrigation techniques for water-scarce environments: A review. *Agricultural Water Management*, 280, 108150.

13. Ziyoviddinov, F. T. (2022). Mevali daraxtlarning bahorgi kesish texnikasi va uning mahsulot sifati nazoratiga taʼsiri. *Agronomiya va texnologiya*, 7(3), 55-62.

MY UZBEKISTAN

May your sky always remain clear,

You are my paradise on earth, so dear.

In your gardens, let pomegranates grow,

You are my pride, Uzbekistan, you know!

Your wheat and bread I cherish with my sight,

Each moment you grant me joy and light.

Your kindness lifts me to the skies above,

You are my soul, Uzbekistan, my love!

Your colorful flag waves high in the blue,

It holds the blood of ancestors true.

My tender heart beats for you, my land,

You are my existence, Uzbekistan, so grand!

Even your ruins are palaces to me,

Your deserts turn into gardens I see.

You live forever within my heart’s domain,

You are my soul, Uzbekistan, again!

My name is Munisa Islomjonova, a young poet from Uzbekistan. I am a 10th-grade student at a specialized school in Kosonsoy, Namangan region. From an early age, I discovered that words have the power to express what the heart cannot always say, and since then, writing has become a part of who I am.

I am the author of “Sarhad Bilmas Orzular” (“Dreams Without Borders”), a book that reflects my dreams, emotions, and deep love for my homeland. Through my poetry, I try to inspire others, to show that no dream is too far and no border can limit imagination.

I believe I am only at the beginning of my journey, but my passion for literature continues to grow stronger every day. My goal is to share my voice with the world and leave a meaningful mark through my words.

Image c/o Jacques Fleury

Duane Vorhees announces his new book Fastival, available from Hog Press.

Fastival, the latest book of poems from Duane Vorhees, reads as anything but the poet’s final word and contains multitudes of playful exploration for the restless mind.

Covering a dizzying array of themes, this substantial tome delivers an intellectual and spiritual feast. He explores dichotomies — such as sex/love, profane/holy, and life/death — that are suitable for meditation by sinner and saint, as well as by day laborer and tenured professor alike.

Vorhees, in his poem “The Importance of Word Association,” proclaims anyone can write poetry but notes, “But only a true poem can feel the sun on your face as the snow commandos parachute in behind enemy lines. A real poem contains stone syllables standing against a rain-striped horizon.” — John Stephen Howard

Yucheng Tao thanks everyone who entered his poetry contest and announces that the prizes will be paid out in April.

Christopher Bernard announces his new book The Beauty of Matter (out from A Press of Rabble) and invites people to read and review it. Please email us at synchchaos@gmail.com if you’re interested.

A lyrical journey into nature, spirit, and the quiet mysteries of being aliveIn this contemporary poetry collection, Christopher Bernard invites readers into a world where ordinary moments reveal extraordinary depth. With the grace of lyrical verse and the clarity of philosophical insight, these poems move through landscapes of memory, nature, beauty, and our shared human search for meaning.This is poetry for readers who crave emotional richness, mindful presence, and poetic meditations that illuminate both the fragile and the eternal. Through imagery rooted in wild earth, myth, and the intimate spaces of everyday life, the poems contemplate existence, loss, renewal, and the astonishing beauty hidden within matter itself.

A Celebration of Life in Every Grain of Being

Here are poems where the natural world speaks, where silence becomes revelation, and where spirit and earth touch.

Bernard explores mortality not with despair, but with wonder, reminding us that every breath, every shadow, every passing moment is charged with significance. Readers will find nature inspired writing that moves between tenderness and awe, between solitude and belonging, revealing how deeply our lives are shaped by the world around us and the world within us.

For Lovers of Reflective and Soulful Poetry

Perfect for readers of lyrical verse collection and philosophical poetry, this book speaks to those who seek: poems about nature and life, existential poems, meditations on life, spiritual poetic reflections, poetry about mortality and rebirth, poems about memory and meaning.

If you believe poetry can open the heart and sharpen the senses, if you are drawn to poetic meditations that deepen presence and expand awareness, this collection belongs in your hands.

Discover a voice that honors the beauty of existence and the mystery of being human.

Now, for March’s second issue, which forms a polyphonic archive of the contemporary human condition, fragmented, globalized, anxious, but full of people searching for meaning, beauty, and connection. A chorus of voices from different countries, cultures, ages, and backgrounds, all speaking to how we can remain human in a complicated age.

First, we address war, violence, and illegitimate political power. These pieces do not merely document suffering; they interrogate the structures that produce it. They ask what it means to live under systems that distort truth, normalize destruction, and erode empathy. Yet even here, amid devastation, there is an undercurrent of resistance—a refusal to accept violence and injustice as inevitable.

Patricia Doyne lambasts the United States’ blowing up a girls’ school during the war in Iran. Stephen Jarrell Williams laments the coldness and human tragedy that leads to war. Ibrahim Honjo calls for peace by cursing those who wish for war. Bhagirath Choudhary’s poem, translated to French by Samar Al-Deek, also critiques war through the dramatization of violence against women and children. Poet Billy Bin celebrates women and laments war and human rights violations. Mykyta Ryzhykh’s work comments on human fragility and the internal and external destruction caused by vaulting ambition and greed for power. Farzaneh Dorri laments the war and the current government of Iran while recollecting the nation’s vast cultural heritage. Molly Joseph’s piece presents the tragedy of war through a clever piece that hides its profundity in a childlike style. Ri Hossain critiques war by showing the absurdity of having to kill strangers. Bill Tope’s short story presents a tragicomic farce that reveals itself as a lament for those lost to the recent Iranian war. Dessy Tsvetkova joins the chorus of those who call for peace as Hadaa Sendoo presents a child’s song for peace with nature and with themselves as well as in the world. Gulhayo Egamberganova creates a tale of a wise king with the welfare of his people in mind. Dianne Reeves Angel’s political poem describes how callous leadership can lead to internal, structural damage to our shared “house,” even when we don’t see outright collapse. Yuray Tolentino Hevia asserts his freedom of thought and personal dignity even in a wounded homeland. Imma Schiema presents the flag of peace as strong, but stiff, unnatural, and difficult to maintain. Peace takes maintenance and care.

Some contributors explore how systems of power, or our cultural vantage points and perceptions, shape how we think and view the world. Rich Murphy’s work explores how power and hierarchy can distort reality and get in the way of critical thinking. Dr. Jernail Singh Anand lampoons the hypocrisy of those who seek to bury their own misdeeds among those of celebrities. Stephen Schwei’s clever work meditates on how we assign meanings to things and aspects of the universe. Wan Yilong dramatizes the absurdity of a world full of technology but with no soul. Mark Young’s speaker assembles meaning from fractured cultural debris, his mind moving through fragments. Ag Davis’ poetry blurs the guidelines of semantics to generate meaning through pattern recognition rather than text. S.C. Flynn explores different ways we disconnect from the fully intense human experience to make it more manageable, whether through pills or screens.

Türkan Ergör’s piece breaks apart language and puts it back together, questioning whether reason can adequately explain human experience. Maja Milojkovic explores the tension between imagination and reality in her reflective poem on making a wish. Mark DuCharme’s poem explores thirst and desire that twists and morphs but is never quite satiated. J.J. Campbell’s poems read like cigarette smoke in a dim room, unfiltered, bitter, and honest. Patrick Sweeney’s work explores memory, shame, art, invention, nature, and tenderness as the Chinese elementary school students’ works, compiled by Su Yun, show a developing poetic consciousness as they address nature and dreams.

Dr. Jernail S. Anand considers how much we as humans project our own failings onto other creatures through our concept of natural law. Sevinch Rustamova explores human projection, lamenting the loss of a no longer idealized unfaithful love. James Tian reflects on how we choose to speak of our dead can say as much about us as the living as it does about the deceased. Nirasha D’Almeida speaks to memory, reflection, power, and class and ethnic tensions. In Emeniano Acain Somoza Jr.’s elegiac poem, time continues to move, even as the speaker remains within memory. Sheryl Bize-Boutte’s poem and short story excerpt highlight how connection can persist even when we reject it. Qo’narova Yulduz mourns and regrets the loss of her loved one and of her life to grief.

Some writers highlight resilience and personal growth, the journey to become who we are, all that we could become. Nazokat Jumaniyozova traces a character’s personal growth and development. Danijela Ćuk encourages people to believe in themselves and persevere through hard times. Zilola Qutlimurotva calls out the role of challenges in building strong character. Priyanka Neogi urges people who seek to achieve something in life to keep their priorities straight. Ruxshona Shahobiddinova shares how she learned to achieve for her own sake and not compare herself to others. Rashidova Shakhrizoda’s short story celebrates a brave kitten who becomes a hero of the forest. Muslimbek Abdurakhimov reminds us that anyone can act with integrity, regardless of nationality. Zilola Qutlimurotva points out reactions one may receive to developing self-respect. Juraeva Aziza Rakhmatovna urges people to persevere towards their goals even through obstacles. Gabriel T. Saah encourages us to stay humble, stay kind and make the most of our lives.

Others discuss education, youth, and the future. Rakhmonova Gulzoda Sodiq qizi discusses how to help depressed young students. Daminova Sevinch highlights the importance of childhood to personal development. Choriyeva Oynur discusses the importance of sleep in personal health and academic performance. Dildora Xo’jyozova remembers earning recognition and a laptop in an Uzbek academic competition and reflects on the importance of encouraging the world’s youth. Ibragimova Orzigul Sharobiddinova’s poem celebrates her university and its educational opportunities. Alimqulova Munisa Abdurayimovna discusses how students can best prepare themselves for international scholarship competition. Bekturdiyeva Nargizabonu and Xayitova Mehribon discuss positive and negative impacts of social media in young people’s lives.

Several contributors apply their intellects to the real world, science, mathematics, economics, and medicine. Oroqova Nargiza outlines roles for artificial intelligence in health care. Tadjiboyeva Marxaboxon Sherzodbek qizi discusses diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure. Inomova Kamola discusses diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Durdona Shafqatullayeva Olimqizi outlines the structure and function of the human skeleton. Dr. Jitender Singh dispels embarrassment and shame surrounding menstruation and promotes hygiene. Sardorjon Ahmadjon o’g’li Ergashev discusses various ways of analyzing and interpreting statistics. Mamatkulova Muklisa outlines opportunities and risks within the maturing microcredit industry. Tuychiyeva Odinaxon Ahmadjon qizi outlines ways to standardize the preparation of graphical documents in school drafting classes.

Who we are, in large part, comes from our family and cultural heritage. Yulduz Niyazova highlights the history and meaning of Uzbekistan’s Nawruz spring celebration. Jacques Fleury’s photographs capture the spirit and energy of Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Sardorjon Nabiyev remembers a tale of singing for neighbors at Ramadan that ended with his father’s tender love. Begijonova Marjonabonu shares a tender thought for her mother. Eshmatova Charos speaks of her gratitude to her caring mother and father. Turg’unov Alisher Yordamali o’g’li expresses his respect for his hardworking mother. Ahmadov Bekzodjon Obidjon ogli highlights the literary and cultural importance of Uzbek writer and philosopher Chol’pon. Damilova Sevinch Tuychi qizi highlights the cultural and dramatic contributions of historical Uzbek writer Abdulla Avloni. Halilova Ruxshona Abdufattohovna provides an overview of the scientific work of Abu Nasr al-Farabi, an Uzbek thinker who espoused rational inquiry and built upon Greek thought. Sottiyeva Gulshan celebrates the Uzbek constitution’s protections of liberty. Marvaridabonu Abdumalikov discusses Uzbekistan’s current environmental initiatives, including a vast program to plant tree seedlings and civic waste sorting and recycling efforts. Otamurodova Asal highlights the role of strong families in building a strong culture in Uzbekistan. Kholbekov Ozodbek Makhammatovich’s poem celebrates the sacred and worthy heritage of Uzbekistan’s national heroes and scholars.

Sitora Siroj qizi Usmonova looks at the use of emojis in text messages and social media as a case study of Uzbek linguistic evolution in real time. Jerome Berglund’s stream of consciousness poems illuminate how things hidden – people, truth, meaning – don’t disappear, but wait to be seen. Joey Whitton’s poems move across very different terrains, such as mysticism, memory, existential philosophy, and political satire, but they’re unified by a restless, searching voice. Alan Catlin builds a poetic cathedral of collapse, a symphonic logic of accumulation. Duane Vorhees contributes a symphony of voices that find a way to hang together.

Art, literature, and culture are integral parts of our heritage, and many people look into how we understand stories and art. Christopher Bernard discusses poignant themes of masculinity, love, aggression, and redemption in Beauty and the Beast and the somewhat awkward presentation in Opera Parallele’s live stage remix of the Jean Cocteau film. Maxmasharifova Shodiyabegim looks at the theme of fear in Abdulla Qahhor’s short story Dakshat as a way of critiquing governmental and social oppression. Abdugʻaniyeva Muhlisa Abdunabi qizi analyzes Jack London’s winter wilderness survival tale Love of Life in terms of literary motifs and themes of free will and individual struggle in harsh conditions. Alexander Klujev outlines various ways to understand music: as a venue for spiritual contemplation, as an abstract study in sound, or as direct participation in the sounds and rhythms of nature. Dennis Vannatta reflects on a life shaped and punctuated by music. Virginia Aronson celebrates the complex work and life of Japanese visual artist Yayoi Kusama.

Art and culture can lead us to a lyrical, restorative place, where we consider love, nature, and the human spirit. Eva Lianou Petropoulou affirms the largeness and vastness of the human spirit, much larger than any attempt by society to contain it. JoyAnne O’Donnell takes joy in poetry on World Poetry Day. Eva also urges humans not to abandon empathy for and relationships with each other. Slava Božičevic celebrates poetry and encourages poets to write to bring love into the world. Prasanna Kumar’s poetry reflects how he needs love to make sense of existence. Abigail George’s work shows characters choosing love, kindness, and forgiveness, even when they are not strong enough to stop trauma and violence. Mahbub Alam contributes a piece on waiting, restraint, and the persistence of the inner light of love as Su Yun encourages a young child to grow and develop courage and embrace a world of love.

Genevieve Guevara presents a poetic manifesto about ending violence against women. Sherdonayeva Ozoda Mahmarajab qizi’s short story highlights the obstacles facing women leaving abusive relationships. Lan Xin also honors International Women’s Day, softly and gently urging women to value and take care of themselves. Mahmoud Said Kawash outlines the political and cultural history of International Women’s Day. Dr. Jitender Singh celebrates the virtues of many women he admires. Dr. Ahmed Al-Qaisi evokes the poetic beauty of a woman’s tender love. Tasneem Hossain discusses the historical and cultural meanings of flowers as gifts and urges people to consider flowers as an International Women’s Day gift for women.

Brian Barbeito revels in the mystical and thoughtful connection he has built with the land he regularly visits, how time alone in nature invites contemplation. Adham Boghdady celebrates the beauty of a forest lake through his contemplative persona poem. Soumen Roy rejoices with the hope of a fresh spring season. Ananya Guha’s incantatory poem claws out hope from the starkness of winter.

Sometimes a small sensation, image, or moment counts for everything. Mohira Mirzayeva celebrates the joys of silent reading from a physical book. Bonu Jurayeva reminds us of the sensory pleasures of physical books. Noah Berlatsky celebrates the wealth of love that he finds in his affectionate cat and dog. David Sapp contributes gentle, pensive moments of family and domesticity. Christina Chin’s haikus transport us to the sounds and feel of summer. Tammy Higgins’ photographs present life as surprising, highlighting disparate elements and unusual colors and perspectives. Jacques Fleury’s poem travels between the worlds of belonging and isolation, wealth and poverty, anchored by the recurring image of ships. Nuraini Usman’s photos capture moments of mystery: dim light, and a foot stepping into the unknown. In Sayani Mukherjee’s poem, rain, letters, memory, and love all blend together into one immersive experience. Graciela Noemi Villaverde welcomes the autumn to her Argentinian home with lush, atmospheric prose about transitions. Elaine Murray finds connection across millennia with humans and other creatures who have walked the same beach.

The final pieces return us to the act of creation itself. They ask what responsibility the artist bears in a world marked by injustice and fragmentation. If we can imagine, can we also rebuild? If we can name what is broken, can we help to mend it? These are not questions with easy answers, but they are questions that must be asked.

Christopher Bernard’s final installment of Senor Despair ends with an affirmation of a creator’s radical responsibility. Jose Luis Alderete’s work suggests the possibility of rebuilding society through intentional acts of human creativity. Tokhtaboyeva Nilufar Nomonjon qizi urges her fellow Uzbeks to move forward with courage to build up their newly independent country. Mesfakus Salahin speaks to the hope of global renewal through love and insight. Hanaan Abdelkader affirms her determination to find hope in a world full of injustice, yet leafy and sunlit.

What emerges from this collection is not resolution, but recognition. We hope that you recognize yourselves somewhere in the issue.

Black birds 

black birds 

peck their tracks 

on the white snow

Out

Yes we are dirt

We are incapable of molding ourselves anew

Honestly we don’t even know who inspired us to move

Yes we are clay

We move falling and swallowing dirt and branches

Whether we are clay or dirt, no one knows and oh Lord

It seems to me that no one has ever truly molded us

Beauty hates us

And we bloom with our bellies out(side)

The eternal rain begins

We are like candles in the hands of a praying person

The broken glass of our faces

Time and death do not exist

And our dirty bird breaks out 

Of chest-cage into the clouds

Humility

1

Believe it or not

But I can disappear not without a trace but as unknown as the plague

I will swim in the bloody river of memory like Stalin

My voice will resound in all stadiums as if it were Hitler

I will explode like a star and destroy everything around

Nothing passes without a trace:

And if you think that you should start for good,

And if you already take up fighting for something:

You should know that you only multiply sorrows and discord:

Each of us is a small chest with a nuclear war inside

2

Good does not need to be fought for

My hands are overgrown with leaves

I am full of humility

I’m walking in the sand

Feeling the warmth and cold beneath my feet.

Sunlight beams down all over me.

I see piece of driftwood hollowed out by water and insects

I feel waves over my feet as I walk onto the beach.

I think for thousands of years the people walked onto the sand with me

Maybe we are of the same mind.

For one moment we touch each other while walking on the sand.

Singing Ramadan at Your Door

Author: Sardorjon Nabiyev

Abstract

This short story recalls a childhood memory connected with the tradition of singing Ramadan songs in Uzbek neighborhoods. Through the innocent perspective of a child, the narrative reflects on warmth, kindness, and the first experience of injustice. The story highlights family affection, particularly a touching moment that reveals a father’s quiet love and care for his child. It also captures the cultural atmosphere of Ramadan and the emotional memories associated with it.

Keywords Ramadan tradition, childhood memory, fatherly love, family values, Uzbek culture, neighborhood traditions

Story

I was still a small child then. It was one of those years when the month of Ramadan fell in the middle of winter. The days were short, the nights were long, and the air was cold and biting. One evening, together with the children from our neighborhood, we set out to sing Ramadan songs from house to house. The older boys came with us as guards. They never sang themselves—perhaps they were too shy. The younger children, however, would step up to the gates and sing loudly: We came to your door singing for Ramadan, May God bless your cradle with a baby boy. Ash in the hearth, money in the pocket, Please bring out a hundred soʻm for us. With that hundred soʻm we bought a horse, We sold the horse and married a girl. The girl’s name was Nigora, Poor thing, she bakes bread. Nigora ran away, And the dough was left to rise. What shall we do now? We will keep wandering, singing Ramadan!

The homeowners would come out with bread, sweets, fruit, or sometimes a little money. Four of us would hold a cloth open like a tablecloth, and the gifts would be placed into it. In this way we walked through several neighborhoods, happily singing and laughing. But when it was time to divide what we had collected, the older boys took the money and the best things for themselves. The rest—the leftovers—were given to us. Looking back now, I realize that this was probably the first injustice my young heart had ever witnessed.

When I returned home, my hands had turned blue from the cold. In my hands I carried a small bundle: dark bread, some fruit, and a few small treats. My mother looked at me with worry, pulled me into her arms, and said, “Oh, my poor child, why did you need this? Look how cold you are.” I kept telling her about the unfairness I had seen. No matter how hard she tried, I couldn’t warm up. My hands were stiff like wood, and tears slipped from my eyes.

Then my father took my little hands into his large, warm ones. Gently, he blew warm air onto them again and again, trying to warm them. Slowly, the warmth returned. That day, I discovered something new about my father. Until then, I had always thought of him as a strict and stern man. But in that quiet moment, I realized how deeply kind and loving he truly was. Every time the month of Ramadan comes, and children walk through the streets singing Ramadan songs, this memory returns to me.

Ramadan, thank you for revealing to me a father’s love.

Author Bio

Sardorjon Nabiyev is an emerging writer from Uzbekistan whose works focus on childhood memories, cultural traditions, and family values. His writing reflects everyday life and emotional experiences through simple yet meaningful storytelling.

The Forest Hero

In the heart of a golden autumn, a young kitten named Pufik saw the forest changing for the first time. While squirrels gathered nuts and storks flew south, an ancient Owl named Aqlbek revealed a terrifying secret: this winter, the “Spirit of Frost” intended to freeze the forest forever, aided by invisible “Virus-Spies” known as the Flu.

Determined to save his friends, Pufik embarked on a journey to the “Valley of Miracles” to find Grandfather Year. Along the way, he was helped by a swift rabbit, wise snails, and brave hedgehogs. Grandfather Year gifted Pufik a Golden Key, warning him to return before sunrise.

As the icy breath of the Frost Spirit began to harden the trees, Pufik reached the Ancient Oak. With the help of his friends who shielded him from the ice, he turned the Golden Key in the tree’s heart. Suddenly, a warm, golden light erupted, melting the eternal ice and driving the “Flu” viruses away.

The forest was saved. The animals celebrated a great “Harvest Festival,” and Pufik was no longer just a kitten—he was the Hero of the Forest. Since then, winter only visits for three months, and the animals stay safe and warm in their homes.

Bukhara, Uzbekistan