Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A round table was held in Tashkent with the participation of Polish, Austrian and Czech experts, who presented their vision of the planned reforms in the framework of the "Strategy for the Development of Agriculture of Uzbekistan for 2020-2030." The event discussed issues of developing value chains, state support for agribusiness and land reform, Dunyo reported.

Foreign experts presented reports on the main reforms carried out in the countries of Eastern and Central Europe in this direction. In Poland’s experience, mechanisms for increasing agricultural exports through the privatization of agricultural enterprises, toughening quality standards in the processing of agricultural products while providing grants for modernization, and creating a fund to promote a national brand of agricultural products were discussed.

Foreign experts noted a general tendency to reduce direct support to agricultural producers. It is emphasized that in the EU countries, subsidies are built in two main areas: direct support aimed at maintaining the profitability of farmers, and subsidies to assist in the transition to organic agriculture, activities in the mountains and others.

Experts noted that the volume of state subsidies in Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic after joining the European Union does not exceed 50 percent, and this figure continues to decline. At the same time, EU countries will reorient state support funds to support basic research, environmental protection and combat the effects of global warming.

Particular attention was paid to the privatization of agricultural land. As the experience of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe has shown, land transfer can lead to stagnation in the development of the sector, low investment attractiveness and soil degradation. As a result, some countries have introduced a moratorium on land privatization.

In the Czech Republic, the land of state farms was transferred to state ownership, while land was provided only by citizens of the country.

Following the results of the round table, foreign experts will provide recommendations and suggestions for ongoing reforms in the framework of the Strategy.