Current challenges on integrated development of agriculture are identified

On October 31, 2018, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on issues of integrated development of agriculture, widespread introduction of innovative technologies into the sphere, increasing the export of products.

Over the past two years, fundamental reforms and structural changes have been implemented in the agricultural sector. Considerable work has been carried out on introduction of market relations, development of processing and export infrastructure. For increasing incomes of farmers and dehkans, a new system was introduced, many problems were solved, sufficient funds and resources were allocated.

At the meeting, special attention was paid to issues of introduction of innovative technologies and scientific developments in agriculture, especially drip irrigation technology.

Experience of Israel in this matter was emphasized. In this country, agriculture is completely based on drip irrigation, due to which there is no saline land and there is no need for collector-drainage networks and costs for reclamation activities.

The lack of work carried out in the country on introducing water-saving technologies has been criticized, as a result of which a large amount of funds are spent on maintaining a collector-drainage network with a total length of 140 thousand kilometers.

Through the use of water-saving technologies, water consumption can be reduced by 50-60 percent. Only mobile flexible tubes will save 10-15 percent of water, and drip irrigation – 35-65 percent. However, the drip irrigation system is used on a small area, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In this regard, the need for expanding the scale of implementation of drip irrigation in cotton-textile clusters and in cotton fields of farmers in 2019-2021 was noted.

One of the current issues for agricultural complex is procurement and export of fruits and vegetables. However, at the meeting on issues of integrated development of agriculture it was noted that due to lack of well-coordinated work of the Ministry of Agriculture, Uzbekoziqovqatholding company and regional leaders, the 100% fulfillment of the export forecast is under threat.

The task has been set to ensure for the remaining two months of the current year the full implementation of the export forecast for each region with daily monitoring this process. Instructions were given on planting vegetable crops for export next year.

Uzbekistan’s climate makes it possible to grow early maturing products, the demand for which abroad grows in spring. It was noted that this possibility is not used effectively.

At the meeting, relevant ministries and organizations were given instructions on expanding the export of agricultural products to Russia, China, South Korea, India, Japan and other countries.

I repeat, export is the most important, priority direction of foreign economic policy of our state. Each ministry and agency should promote the development of exports, the President noted.

Activities of newly formed associations were also considered at the meeting. Their lack of desire for innovation and passivity in general was criticized.

The need for attracting foreign investment in agriculture, especially direct investment, was noted.

Urgent tasks for effective use of land and water resources, development of seed production, improvement of the delivery system of mineral fertilizers, renewal of the agricultural machinery park, development of processing industry, and other areas were identified.

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