Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Government of Uzbekistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have held a series of field training sessions on cherry orchard management in Samarkand, Jizzakh, Tashkent, Andijan, Ferghana and Namangan regions.
Around 250 producers, agronomists and specialists from horticultural farms took part in the sessions, organised as part of cooperation to strengthen the cherry value chain.
The training was conducted under a global project promoting the One Country, One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative through the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme. The project is funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China through its Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
With the project’s support and in cooperation with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, efforts are under way to strengthen the entire cherry value chain, from production and post-harvest handling to processing, marketing and access to international markets.
Tree training and variety selection
The sessions focused primarily on tree training systems that encourage early fruiting and allow pruning and harvesting to be carried out from the ground, without ladders or specialised platforms. Project specialist Shukhrat Abrorov, drawing on nearly 20 years of experience in Uzbekistan, presented approaches adapted to local conditions, including the Kym Green Bush (KGB) system.
Participants examined the stages of tree training, from planting and young orchard development to fruit-bearing. Practical demonstrations showed how successive shoot heading can increase the number of upright main branches, balance tree growth and improve light penetration into the canopy.
The compatibility of varieties, rootstocks and training systems was also discussed. Participants compared the growth and fruiting characteristics of Lapins, Sweetheart, Skeena, Santina, Regina and Kordia varieties.
For the KGB system, the training covered vigorous rootstocks such as Mazzard, Colt, Mahaleb and CAB 6P, as well as semi-vigorous rootstocks including MaxMa 14, Krymsk 5 and MaxMa 60. Specialists stressed that using the system without taking account of the characteristics of the variety and rootstock could increase the risk of heat stress, weaken tree growth or reduce yields.
“Managing a low-canopy orchard is not simply a matter of reducing tree height. The number of main branches, the fruiting characteristics of the variety and the vigour of the rootstock must be matched. That is why we explained each pruning decision with reference to the condition of the individual tree,” Abrorov said.
Orchard care in hot summers and cold winters
The programme also covered orchard management under Uzbekistan’s hot summers and cold winters. Participants learned about the importance of consistent irrigation and nutrient management during the first three years after planting, particularly to support renewed growth following pruning. Measures to protect tree trunks from sunburn at temperatures above 40°C were also discussed.
Regarding pruning schedules, specialists said that summer training cuts in Uzbekistan should be completed by mid-June. Shoots that develop later may not have enough time to mature and become woody before winter, increasing the risk of frost damage. Participants also examined the risks of bacterial canker and gummosis associated with pruning in December and January or during wet weather.
Field demonstrations addressed common mistakes, including having too few main branches, which can lead to excessive vegetative growth, summer pruning of weakened trees and excessive shading within the canopy.
At the end of the sessions, participants received checklists for assessing orchard conditions and practical assignments to develop pruning plans tailored to local circumstances.
“In six regions, we focused on practical orchard management decisions, from the compatibility of varieties and rootstocks to pruning schedules and the number of main branches. Our goal is to help farmers and local specialists assess their orchards and plan maintenance based on sound technical principles, creating conditions for competitive production,” said Muhammadjon Kosimov, the project’s national coordinator.
Uzbekistan is one of the demonstration countries representing Europe and Central Asia in the global OCOP project and has selected cherries as its priority product.
The field training series builds on knowledge-sharing and cooperation initiated at a regional OCOP workshop in Namangan in May 2026 and subsequent technical sessions in the Ferghana Valley.
The training strengthened participants’ skills in tree training, seasonal pruning and identifying common orchard management mistakes. Assessing the impact of the methods on fruit quality, yields and harvesting costs will require their application and monitoring over the coming growing seasons.
