Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “On measures to create plantations of a fast-growing industrial plant Paulownia in the Republic of Uzbekistan” was adopted.

For the development of production of raw materials for handicrafts, building materials, meeting the demand for wood in the furniture industry, reducing the volume of imports, as well as meeting the needs of the population for alternative energy, the following have been approved:

forecast indicators of the creation of plantations of paulownia tree for 2020-2024 on dry lands, saline soils, areas not used in agriculture with underground sources located at a depth of more than 30 meters;

forecasted acquisition of seedlings for plantations for 2020-2024.

The Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan and regional khokimiyats were instructed to allocate land plots for growing paulownia on a lease basis. At the same time, at least 100 hectares of land are allocated for each project for the production of wood raw materials from paulownia for the furniture industry and the production of pellets (biofuel).

The State Forestry Committee together with Uzgeodezkadastr will conduct an inventory of land plots within two months and place paulownia plantations on electronic maps.

Scientists of the Tashkent Agrarian University and other scientific institutions were instructed within a month to develop recommendations on the cultivation and reproduction of seedlings by seedless, in-vitro and other vegetative methods on the basis of scientifically grounded and innovative technologies and place them on their websites.

The Association of Honey Producers is recommended to organize cooperation with Paulownia planters to increase honey production.

The Ministry of Agriculture, together with the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry were instructed to develop project proposals for organizing the production of paulownia plantations with the attraction of foreign investments and grants within two months.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction, together with the Uzpromstroymaterialy Association and the Ministry of Agriculture, should develop a program of measures for the production of import-substituting products from Paulownia wood and sawdust within three months.

Starting from 2021, the Ministry of Innovative Development, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, will hold competitions for scientific and innovative works, startups on topics related to the production and use of paulownia products in the building materials industry, medicine, and landscaping.