On November 28, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting dedicated to measures to increase production, processing and export of horticultural products.
Uzbekistan has 3.2 million hectares of irrigated lands, which are used both for growing food and obtaining raw materials for industry. In recent years, 260 thousand hectares of land previously used for cotton and grain have been allocated for cultivation by the population, and another 104 thousand hectares are planned to be allocated in the future.
This year, food exports increased by $370 million compared to last year, exceeding $2 billion. Uzbekistan is the third largest exporter of apricots in the world, the seventh largest exporter of cherries and peaches, and the tenth largest exporter of legumes. Cherries alone are exported to 16 countries.
Exports in Karakalpakstan and Jizzakh region grew 2.2 times, Khorezm – 1.8 times, and Surhandarya – 1.6 times. However, in some regions the changes are minimal. For instance, despite large land resources in Kashkadarya, Navoi and Tashkent regions, growth indicators do not correspond to their potential. In Bukhara and Syrdarya regions exports even declined.
There are 5 thousand rural mahallas in the country and another 2 thousand mahallas in cities and district centers where households have private plots. However, only in one thousand mahallas seedlings were distributed and entrepreneurs purchasing products were assigned to local residents. In 26 districts, support for such farms was not arranged, and in some cases people lost their crops due to the sale of low-quality seeds to them.
To eliminate these problems, employees of the Agency of Plant Protection and Quarantine will be assigned to each mahalla, household and farm.
Household plots, roadsides, 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 land will be recorded in the “Agroplatform”, communities and farmers will be trained in proper seed selection, fertilizer use and product storage.
Significant incentives will be provided to stimulate these efforts. Farmers using field perimeters efficiently will be awarded additional points in the entrepreneur rating, and a phytosanitary certificate will be issued free of charge for one year. Farmers will be able to pay land tax for the entire land area in installments for two years. Under the “Family Entrepreneurship” program, loans up to 100 million soums will be provided under a simplified system. Control over the use of field perimeters and the volume of grown products will be conducted through the portal “e-Fitouz”.
An initiative was put forward to plant 10 million grape vines along the streets of mahallas and around apartment buildings. Until the plants start yielding, all agro-technical activities will be supported by the Council of farmers, dehkan farms and owners of household plots. The mahallas will be linked with export enterprises to purchase produce.
The meeting also discussed the processing of fruits and vegetables.
Crops such as cabbage, beets and onions remain in the fields due to lower prices during the peak ripening period. This year, much of the watermelon crop was also not collected. However, surplus produce can be processed, dried or turned into food additives for export, and these products are in high demand by the food industry.
Blast freezing technology will be introduced to ensure year-round exports. The Ministry of Agriculture and khokimiyats have been instructed to implement such projects next year.
In addition, 10 agro-logistic centers, more than a thousand refrigerated warehouses and over 40 thousand hectares of industrial intensive orchards and vineyards will be created.
In 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. In Andijan, Jizzakh and Khorezm such crops are not grown at all.
Meanwhile, 2,000 hectares of land around water reservoirs are cultivated without pesticide treatment. It is enough to obtain an organic certificate and use quality seeds and seedlings.
The goal is to increase the area of organic land to 10 thousand hectares by 2025 and to 100 thousand hectares in the next three years.
Farmers and dehkans establishing organic fields will be compensated for the cost of laser land leveling. Funds will also be allocated to subsidize “Organic”, “Global Gap”, “Halal” and “Kosher” certificates.
This year, large retail chains in Oman have allocated separate shelves for Uzbek products, allowing cherries, peaches and apricots to be exported there for the first time. It was noted that this practice should be expanded in the markets of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Europe. Instructions were given on organizing trade fairs and issuing phytosanitary permits.
Due to these measures, it is expected that exports of fruits and vegetables could reach $3.5 billion next year.
The meeting also addressed environmental protection. Responsible persons presented progress reports on waste recycling projects in Andijan, Jizzakh, Navoi, Namangan, Samarkand and Tashkent regions.
Once again, particular attention was paid to the nationwide initiative “Yashil Makon”. Within the framework of this project, 200 million trees and shrubs are planned to be planted every spring and fall. To date, ministries, departments and khokimiyats have created 257 parks, and their number will be increased to 517.
The President emphasized that state organizations should be an example in such good deeds, and construction companies should demonstrate social responsibility.
The meeting also addressed the issue of executive discipline. It was noted that the fulfillment of all tasks by the end of the year will increase work efficiency.
Next year, a systematic record of executives’ activities will be introduced in all ministries, regions and districts. The electronic platform will become the basis for assessing the effectiveness and calculating the salaries of executives. The Prime Minister was instructed to implement this system and strengthen control over discipline and accomplishment of tasks.