Food security issues considered

On November 25, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with the presentation of proposals to ensure food security and increase the yield of cotton and grain crops.

In his speech at a recent parliamentary meeting, the Head of state emphasized that in the current conditions of population growth, ensuring food security is the most urgent task.

Indeed, our country’s population increases by almost 1 million people annually. At the same time, land and water resources are limited. Therefore, the stability of the domestic market can only be ensured through a rational approach and increased productivity.

At the presentation, the Minister of Agriculture outlined plans in this direction.

Next year, crops are planned to be grown on 4 million 800 thousand hectares. Potatoes, fruits and vegetables, legumes, and melons will be planted in ​​over 2 million hectares. Crop placement and harvest reservation will be monitored.

In particular, a system of accounting for ten main types of food products of primary importance will be maintained. It will reflect information by district on what products are grown and how much will be reserved for the domestic market.

At the initiative of the President, 260 thousand hectares of land were distributed among 800 thousand citizens for cultivation. In addition, based on the Saykhunabad experience, the cultivation of products on household plots is actively supported. Practice has confirmed the effectiveness of this solution for creating jobs and providing income to the population, especially young people. This approach has also become an essential factor in increasing the volume of agricultural production, which has made it possible to avoid a sharp increase in food prices.

Now, it is essential to improve the quality of work, ensure the efficient use of allocated lands and household plots, and provide the population with scientific and practical support. In addition, the districts need to attract grants and technical assistance more actively to develop agriculture and introduce advanced technologies.

The Head of state emphasized the need to study foreign experience, improve the potato growing system, and increase crop yields.

Last winter, 9 thousand hectares of gardens and 4 thousand hectares of vineyards suffered from frost. As a result, 207 thousand tons of crops perished.

Earlier, the President ordered the development of a mechanism for compensating farmers for damage from such weather conditions. In accordance with this, a draft law “On insurance of agricultural risks” was developed jointly with foreign experts. Its adoption will ensure the economic protection of farmers.

The effectiveness of sowing foreign varieties of cotton was analyzed.

The Head of state emphasized the importance of choosing the most optimal varieties, having studied the opinions of clusters, farmers and industrial enterprises, training farmers in modern agricultural technologies. Instructions were given on the production of contemporary cotton pickers and small-sized agricultural machinery for household plots of the population.

As part of the national project “Yashil Makon” (Green Space), forest plantations are being created in all regions. It was noted that food crops can be grown along the perimeter of such forests and farm fields.

Proposals for reforming the agricultural management system in the regions and districts were also considered at the presentation.