10.05.2024

On May 10, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on proposals to adapt agriculture to climate change, make efficient use of land and develop sectoral science.

In our country, 3 million hectares of pasture and agricultural land have been degraded, and about 2 million hectares are saline to varying degrees. Foreign experts estimate that our region’s water resources could be reduced by almost 6% by 2030 due to climate change. Action must be taken now.

A 52-point national program has been developed to adapt agriculture to climate change and mitigate its effects. More than US $294 million in grant are expected to be made available for the program’s activities.

In particular, 1 million hectares of agro-ecological landscapes and degraded pastures in the Aral Sea region will be improved. Protective forest belts will be established in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and in Khorezm, Bukhara and Kashkadarya regions. Plants such as liquorice, rose hips, sesame and artemia will be grown in areas with poor water supplies.

A center for climate change analysis and forecasting will be established, and agro-meteorological stations will be installed in five regions. In addition, the International Centre for Intensive Seed and Nursery Production and the Cultivation of Drought and Salinity Resistant Plant Seedlings will be organized in cooperation with Italy. Water-saving technologies adapted to local conditions will be developed in Karakalpakstan.

The issue of water saving is particularly relevant in the areas of the lower Amu Darya. Therefore, according to another prepared document, it is planned to provide subsidies for laser levelling of land in Karakalpakstan. The State budget will subsidize grain and rice producers to cover up to 100% of the cost of fuel and lubricants per hectare leveled by laser levelling.

The first phase of this contract will cover Turtkul, Beruni and Amu Darya districts. As a result, yields are expected to increase by 5-7 centers and water consumption by 15-20%. 

Plans were also presented for the effective use of land belonging to the Institute of Horticulture, Viticulture and Winemaking named after Academician M. Mirzayev.

In particular, 142 hectares of land of the Bandikhan Scientific Experimental Station will be re-introduced. On an area of 300 hectares, modern water-saving technologies will be installed and export-oriented fruits and grapes will be grown.

At the Navoi Scientific Experimental Station in Kyzyltepa district, the production of grape seedlings will be organized, importing varieties from France and other countries. Energy-saving pumps and transformers will be installed at both stations to improve water supply.

Greenhouses play a special role in ensuring the uninterrupted supply of agricultural products. In recent years, the area of greenhouses has increased by 2.6 times and the production volume by more than three times. The industry employs 80 thousand permanent and 70 thousand seasonal workers.

In order to increase the efficiency of greenhouses, it is proposed to reimburse them 50% of the costs of qualified foreign agronomists, entomologists and laboratory specialists, as well as up to 20% of the costs of purchasing a coal boiler.

The Head of state always sets tasks for the scientific development of the industry. In this context, it was proposed to establish the Research Institute for Fibrous Crops.

The Institute will undertake new research in fibrous crops. Based on their results, new technologies and equipment will be introduced into the sphere. Effective science-production linkages will increase the profitability of cotton and textiles. Products derived from cotton, hemp and flax will meet international standards.

The President gave instructions on finalizing the proposals, ensuring the targeting and effectiveness of measures taken in the sphere.