Julia Eckert, Georg Elwert (1996):
Land Tenure in Uzbekistan

2.2.2 Obstacles to the foundation of Dehkhans

The obstacles to the foundation of a Dehkhan mentioned were mainly financial. "Only those who can afford it take land." [FN 57] Suitable technology is lacking and unaffordable for most. The possession of a car also became precondition to starting as an independent farmer. Not only was the transport of produce by hired transport too expensive to make it economical, but the kolkhozes had often distributed land which was far away from the villages (7 - to 15 km) and not serviced by public transport. Only families with a private car could actually reach their plots. Families without a car did not see a possibility of taking on a private farm. [FN 58] At the same time, 38 % of the Hokhimiats and kolkhoz administrations interviewed made the possession of a car an unwritten requirement for obtaining a lease. This was hidden in the formula "who is able". [FN 59]

A further obstacle, as mentioned above, was a lack of manpower, especially sons. Officially, the criteria of family size was either hidden under the phrase: "the possibilities of a family" or justified with the presidential decree that ruled that families with many children should be treated preferably.