WNAM MONITORING: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting dedicated to measures to increase the production, processing, and export of fruit and vegetable products.
Uzbekistan has 3.2 million hectares of irrigated land, which is used both for growing food and for obtaining raw materials for industry. In recent years, 260 thousand hectares of land previously occupied by cotton and grain have been allocated for cultivation by the population, and another 104 thousand hectares are planned for the future.
This year, food exports increased by $370 million compared to last year, exceeding $2 billion. Uzbekistan ranks third in the world in the export of apricots, seventh in the export of cherries and peaches, and tenth in legumes. Cherries alone are exported to 16 countries.
Exports in Karakalpakstan and Jizzakh regions increased by 2.2 times, Khorezm by 1.8 times, and Surkhandarya by 1.6 times. However, in some regions, the changes are minimal. For example, in Kashkadarya, Navoi and Tashkent regions, despite ample land resources, growth rates do not correspond to their potential. In Bukhara and Syrdarya regions, exports even decreased.
There are 5,000 rural mahallas in the country and another 2,000 mahallas in cities and district centers, where households have garden plots. However, seedlings were distributed only in 1,000 mahallas, and entrepreneurs purchasing the products were assigned to residents. In 26 districts, support for such farms is not organized, and in some cases, people lost their harvest due to the sale of low-quality seeds.
To eliminate these problems, Quarantine and Plant Protection Agency employees will be assigned to each mahalla, household, and farm.
Household plots, roadsides, and the territory along the edges of fields and canals – a total of 650 thousand hectares of land – can be used for planting trees and food crops. Accurate data on such lands will be entered into the “Agroplatform”, and the population and farmers will be trained in the correct selection of seeds, using fertilizers and storing products.
Significant benefits will be provided to stimulate these efforts. Farmers who effectively use field perimeters will be awarded additional points in the entrepreneur rating, and a phytosanitary certificate will be issued free of charge for a year. Farmers can pay land tax for the entire land area in installments for two years. Within the framework of the Family Entrepreneurship Program, loans of up to 100 million UZS will be provided under a simplified system. Control over the use of field perimeters and the volume of grown products will be carried out through the e-Fitouz portal.
An initiative was put forward to plant 10 million grape vines along the streets of mahallas and around apartment buildings. Until the plants yield a harvest, the Council of Farmers, Dehkan Farms, and Owners of Household Lands will support all agricultural activities. To purchase products, mahallas will be connected with export enterprises.
The processing of fruits and vegetables was also discussed at the meeting.
Due to falling prices during the peak harvest period, crops such as cabbage, beets, and onions remain in the fields. This year, a significant portion of the watermelon crop was also not harvested. However, the surplus products can be processed, dried, or converted into food additives for export. These products are in demand by food industry enterprises.
Shock freezing technology will be introduced to ensure year-round export. The Ministry of Agriculture and hokimiyats have been instructed to implement such projects next year.
In addition, 10 agro-logistics centers, more than a thousand refrigerated warehouses, and over 40,000 hectares of industrially intensive orchards and vineyards will be created.
On the world market, prices for organic products are 2-3 times higher. However, in Uzbekistan, only 3,900 hectares of land in 10 districts have an organic certificate. Such crops are not grown in Andijan, Jizzakh, and Khorezm.
Meanwhile, 2,000 hectares of land around the reservoirs are cultivated without pesticide treatment. Obtaining an organic certificate and using high-quality seeds and seedlings is enough.
The goal is to increase the area of organic land to 10,000 hectares by 2025 and 100,000 hectares over the next three years.
Farmers and dehkans who create organic fields will be compensated for the costs of laser land leveling. Funds will also be allocated to subsidize the Organic, Global Gap, Halal, and Kosher certificates.
This year, large retail chains in Oman allocated separate shelves for Uzbek products, which allowed cherries, peaches, and apricots to be exported there for the first time. This practice should be expanded to the markets of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and Europe. Instructions were given on organizing trade fairs and obtaining phytosanitary permits.
Thanks to these measures, fruit and vegetable exports are expected to reach $3.5 billion next year.
The issue of environmental protection was also touched upon at the meeting. Responsible officials presented reports on the progress of waste recycling projects in Andijan, Jizzakh, Navoi, Namangan, Samarkand, and Tashkent regions.
Particular attention was again paid to the nationwide initiative “Yashil Makon” (Green Space). Within the framework of this project, 200 million trees and shrubs are planned to be planted every spring and autumn. To date, ministries, agencies, and hokimiyats have created 257 parks, and their number will increase to 517.
The President emphasized that government organizations should exemplify such good deeds, and construction companies should show social responsibility.
The issue of executive discipline was also analyzed at the meeting. It was noted that completing all tasks by the end of the year will increase the effectiveness of the work.
Next year, a systematic accounting of the activities of managers in all ministries, regions, and districts will be introduced. The electronic platform will become the basis for assessing the effectiveness and calculating the salaries of managers. The Prime Minister was instructed to implement this system and strengthen control over discipline and the execution of tasks.
