Effectiveness of agriculture projects analyzed

On August 6, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a video conference on the implementation of Agriculture Modernization Project launched in cooperation with the World Bank.

Earlier on, during a July 23 video session, the head of state gave directives for the proper use of investments in the agricultural sector and elaboration of projects with high efficiency.

At today’s meeting, the participants discussed projects formed within the framework of $ 500 million loan from the World Bank.

When devising projects, in accordance with guidelines from the President, priority was given to the development of science and the introduction of advanced technologies. In particular, out of the total amount of funds raised, 87 million US dollars are to be used to improve the activities and the material-technical base of agriculture-oriented 10 research institutions and 4 specialized centers.

Another 70 million dollars are expected to be allocated for the establishment of agro-technical centers for the supply of seedlings, the provision of phytosanitary, geoinformation and certification services. For the $ 10 million assigned for the digitalization of agriculture, scientists intend to institute a system to collect and process information on land fertility, soil composition, type and amount of mineral fertilizers required, taxation, transport and logistics, commodity markets et al.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted the importance of integrating the databases of departments of water management, animal husbandry, plant quarantine, cadastre, finance, taxes and others into that scheme.

The Ministry of Agriculture was instructed to locate research institutions and specialized centers in the territory of Academician Mahmud Mirzayev Research Institute of Horticulture, Viticulture and Winemaking, provide them with laboratory equipment and machinery, organize their branches in regions on the premises of agricultural colleges.

The head of our state insisted that these institutions be staffed with highly qualified specialists, and personnel trained with the invitation of consultants from abroad.

Every research institution and center, Uzbekistan’s leader stressed, should become a commercial organization capable of effectively cashing in scientific developments.

“If we fail to promote agriculture in line with achievements in science, investments in this sector will hardly bear fruit. Every one of the projects must boost motivation and profitability. Our ultimate goal is exports. If we produce scholarly grounded goods meeting standards, they will find their market,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev suggested.

The $ 200 million allocated for the development of cooperatives and clusters has been distributed among the country’s regions. In addition, the Ferghana Valley provinces and Khorezm will receive an additional 54 and 100 million dollars, respectively, provided by international financial organizations.

The President pointed out that it is essential to accurately calculate the works in order to turn each dollar billed into three dollars and ensure the return of the soft loans granted.

$ 65 million is due to be channeled for the expansion of intensive gardens. In particular, it is planned to lay out new intensive-type gardens on 500 hectares in the Tashkent region, on 300 hectares in Andijan, Bukhara, Namangan, Ferghana and Samarkand regions, on 250 hectares in Jizzakh, 200 hectares in Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya and 100 hectares in Karakalpakstan.

The head of our state urged the responsible executives to allot land plots within a short period of time and put the gardens into operation next spring.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also instructed to establish state-of-the-art agro-logistics centers and complexes for $ 65 million.

The Minister of Agriculture and regional hokims reported on the projects formed and funds raised, and presented their plans towards the execution of schemes discussed at the video session.