07.07.2021

The videoconference meeting, which was dedicated to the development of viticulture and industrial processing of grapes, as well as measures to organize ecotourism in the regions was held under the chairmanship of the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on July 7.

The President noted that the viticulture traditions have a long history and today there are great opportunities for the development of this sphere.  

«For centuries, the viticulture has been an integral part of agrarian culture, a value, pride and the source of income for our people. Growing the grapes is inextricably linked with our lifestyle and customs. The grapes were grown on every street, in every yard. Such varieties of the grapes as «husayni», «toifi», «Rizamat-ota», «kelinbarmok» and «kishmish» were popular far beyond the borders of our country», the President noted.

Today the grapes are grown on the area of 90 thousand hectares in the country. 900 thousand people are employed in this area on a permanent and seasonal basis.

52 thousand hectares of new vineyards have been laid over the past four years, 210 billion Uzbek soums have been allocated to the sphere in the form of subsidies. During this period, the share of grapes in the export of fruits and vegetables doubled.

At the same time, the analysis of market demand shows huge untapped opportunities. In particular, the sales of grapes are on the third place among the fruits on the world market, the demand for the grapes is increasing by an average of $350 million annually.

The export potential of grapes from Uzbekistan is estimated at least at $600 million, the raisins are at $500 million, the vines are at $100 million.

The viticulture has a high economic and social impact. So, on average 100 million Uzbek soums is being spent on growing the table grapes on one hectare, in four years it can bring a net profit of 250 million Uzbek soums, The grape-seeds oil is also highly valued in the world market. 

Another important aspect is that a heсtare of vineyards, especially trailing dwarf shrub type can ensure an employment for up to 10 people, allows to generate 300 million Uzbek soums from the products and export the products on average $25 thousand, while a hectare of small grains create employment for two people and provide products a maximum of 20 million Uzbek soums.

These comparative facts confirm the need for great attention to the viticulture and the solutions to the problematic issues in this field.

Unfortunately, the area of large vineyards has decreased by 7 thousand hectares over the past four years in some regions. There are practically no breeding works in the field, the sorts of grapes are being grown, which were created 40-50 years ago. There is not the incentive system for the renewal of vineyards. Science and technology of growing vines, neither scientists nor producers do not involve the irrigation of diseases. Consequently, productivity decreases, more vineyards are contracting diseases. Only 38% of grapes are grown intensively.

The yield of local grapes is 1,5-2 times lower than other countries of Asia. In addition, 90% of grown grapes is grapes with stones in our country while the demand for the pitted grapes is increasing in the world.

The level of processing of grapes does not also meet the modern requirements. The share of wine is 2% in the total consumption of alcohol drinks.

The wine tourism poorly developed in our country. Only four tourist plantations have been organized in Samarkand, Fergana, Tashkent Regions.

In this regard, the issues of wide development of viticulture were discussed at the meeting.

Primarily, the necessity was noted that large grape plantations would be organized in the sub montane regions.

Large vineyards were laid on two thousand hectares due to reduction the corn areas in Altiarik district last year. They create jobs for five thousand residents of the district.

Most importantly, this will make it possible to harvest an additional 60 thousand tons of grapes, to ensure the export of products worth almost $100 million next year and $200 million in subsequent years after reaching full capacity.

The new vineyards were also created in Farish, Galyaaral, Yangiabad, Chirakchi, Payaryk and Koshrabot districts.

During the meeting, the task was set on the basis of this experience to create the new export oriented plantations in 44 districts of Karakalpakstan and regions. The President noted the importance of creating the infrastructure to service these plantations. Project offices for developing the viticulture, provision of seedlings and protection from diseases will be organized in the territorial subdivisions of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Growing of the certified grape seedlings will be deployed on the lands of the Scientific Research Institute of gardening, wine growing and winemaking named after academician Mahmud Mirzaev and other scientific institutions. In order to stimulate the creation of new and renewal of old vineyards, the subsidies will be provided in the amount of 10 million Uzbek soums for each hectare of the new certified plantations.

The resources worth $100 million will be allocated for banks to finance the laying of vineyards.

Household lands play an important role in the development of this field. For instance, 5,000 tons of grapes are grown in the households Bulakbashi district, which brings 15 billion Uzbek soums of income.

The President noted the necessity of popularization this experience in all the districts and the expansion of practice of growing the grapes along the perimeter of household plots and the roads.

The issues of widely involving the scientific achievements and innovations in the field were discussed at the meeting. The ministry of innovative development was assigned to create the high yielding, pitted, cold-resistant and disease-resistant grape varieties based on the foreign experience.

The opportunity of increasing the yield by twice or three times to grow the grapes on the trellises is marked. To popularize this method, up to 30% of the expenses for the construction of trellises will be compensated from the budget. Besides, the import of equipments and techniques, used in the wine growing, will be exempted from custom duties.  

The President noted the necessity to create the wine clusters for the full cycle of grape processing and production of finished products.

Such clusters will be provided with the benefits for the purchase of processing equipment, drying and packaging of grapes. It was also defined that excise tax on the natural wines will be abolished.

During the export potential analysis of the field, it was noted that it was possible to increase the export of table grapes to $200 million, raisins to $130 million, the export of natural wines up to this year.

The instructions were given to create and promote the national brand of the grape varieties in the foreign countries, achieving the phytosanitary agreements with the potential markets.

«The leaders of the areas and khokims (governors) should determine the special plans for further increasing the export in coming years. From now the income and property taxes will be reduced by 30% when the export of grown yield is 30% and more than 30% - by half. In addition, the subsidy of 5 thousand Uzbek soums will be represented for each litre of the exporting natural wine in the foreign countries», Shavkat Mirziyoyev said

The measures on creating the necessary infrastructure for enotourism were also discussed.

The deputies of Prime Minister, ministers and khokims (governors) reported on discussed issues at the meeting.