The World Bank is supporting Uzbekistan’s efforts to implement agricultural reforms. World Bank advice and financing have helped improve pest management and the marketability of Uzbek cotton in international markets. For example, the transition from classing of cotton by lot to classing by bale is generating benefits of around US$8 million per year. The World Bank also helped introduce cotton seed and fiber certification, and supported the development of a private seed industry that currently produces and processes 22,000 tons of cotton annually.