BAKU, Azerbaijan, Apr. 30
By Ilkin Seyfaddini - Trend:
Government of Uzbekistan takes additional measures to increase agricultural production in the country, Trend reports citing Uzbek media.
In this regard, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a video conference.
It was also pointed out that almost 60,000 tons of rice were imported in 2019. Some 150,000 tons of potatoes were imported from abroad.
"Additional 10,000 hectares of rice have been sown this year, including 6,000 hectares in Khorezm region, 3,000 hectares in Karakalpakstan and 1,000 hectares in the Syrdarya region. The task has been set to increase the area of potato fields to at least 50,000 hectares and to double the yield," the report says.
The president also noted that it is necessary to secure 50,000 hectares of unused lands to establish cultivation of safflower, sunflower and other crops, to bring the production of products from them to 40,000 tons.
This year's wheat yield is expected to increase by 20 percent, and 735,000 tons of new harvest will remain at the disposal of farmers. Imports of dairy products exceeded $70 million, even mayonnaise, tomato paste, tinned corn and green peas are being imported, which can be fully produced in Uzbekistan, the report says.
Uzbekoziqovqatholding company has been instructed to increase the production volumes of import-substituting products and exports of goods based on fruit processing, in order to bring the volume of fruits and vegetables to exceeding domestic demand level," the report says.
Moreover, new gardens, vineyards and greenhouses to be leased to the population of Uzbekistan up to seven years with a three-year grace period. Some 300 billion soum ($29.4 million) will be allocated to the funds of the Agency for Horticulture and Green Housing Development and the Agency for Development of Viticulture and Winemaking of Uzbekistan.
"In addition, a unique mechanism to stimulate the livestock industry has been established: up to two million soum ($196.4 million) of subsidies have been introduced for pedigree cattle, 400,000 soum for pedigree sheep and goats ($39.2). Modern cattle-breeding complexes are being put into operation around the country," the report says.
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