Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Feb.20 / Trend , D. Azizov /
The program "Development of agricultural ties" (AgLinks), funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will expand the project on development agriculture in Uzbekistan in 2010, from five demonstration areas selected in the vegetation period in 2009 to 26, the U.S. Embassy said.
Program AgLinks, under which farmers are trained with modern plant growing technologies, aimed at increasing the productivity of grapes and fruit trees.
In order to improve the agricultural process AgLinks uses the "value chain" - testing of seeds, cultivation and harvest, sending it to the market and achieve ultimate consumer. The program reveals weak points in the agricultural process and tries to find inexpensive ways to solve these problems.
In 2009, a series of consultations and training for over 800 farmers were held under the project. Trainings were held at five demonstration areas of the project in Fergana, Namangan and Samarkand regions.
The project AgLinks, implementing in Uzbekistan, is a three-year program, which is worth about five million dollars. Along with the work which is being done with farmers in the demonstration areas the attention is given to refrigeration warehouses under the project.
In order to expand export markets AgLinks cooperates with several large fruit customers, such as juice producers. The program funds trips to large trade fairs, where producers can find new markets for their products.