Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - On 28 June 2021, the International Exhibition of Agricultural Machinery, Horticulture, Greenhouse, Plant Growing and Livestock AgroExpo Uzbekistan 2021 opens in Tashkent. This event is one of the most important events in the field of agriculture in Central Asia. In 2019, the exhibition gathered about 200 participants and more than 5.5 thousand visitors not only from Uzbekistan, but also from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and other countries of the region.

Agriculture is one of the key sectors of the economy of Uzbekistan. The industry employs over 40% of the country’s workforce; the share of the agro-industrial complex in GDP is about 1/3, in domestic trade - about 70%. Since 2000, the industry has been growing steadily at a rate of about 6% annually.

The development of the agri-food sector is one of the strategic priorities of Uzbekistan. Within the framework of the Strategy for the Development of the Country’s Agriculture for 2020-2030. providing food security and increasing the export potential of the agricultural sector. An increase in the volume of agricultural production to solve these problems requires the use of modern agricultural technologies, the renewal and expansion of the agricultural machinery fleet, and the implementation of investment programs. “The innovative factor in the development of the agricultural sector in Uzbekistan is coming to the fore,” said the Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev at a meeting of heads of the agrarian sector of Central Asian countries in March 2021.

The needs of the agro-industrial sector of Uzbekistan for new machinery and equipment are growing every year and cannot be met by domestic production. There are 14 agricultural engineering enterprises operating in the country, the production volume of which amounted to about 8,000 units in 2017 and more than 6,000 units in the first half of 2018. While the shortage of equipment in the peak season of agricultural work is up to 100 thousand units (tractors, combines, etc.). At the same time, a significant part of the agricultural machinery used is morally and physically obsolete.

Russian agricultural machine builders have been cooperating with Uzbek farmers for a long time. Business partnership is successfully developing in two directions - direct export of equipment from Russia to Uzbekistan and joint projects for the production of the most popular models in Uzbekistan (localization of production). Russian exports of machinery and equipment for the agro-industrial complex to Uzbekistan are increasing every year at an average rate of 5-6%. According to the Rosspetsmash Association, in the first half of 2020, Russian manufacturers supplied machinery and equipment to Uzbekistan for a total of 522 million rubles, which is 5% more than in the same period last year.

In 2017, on the basis of Chirchik Agricultural Machinery Plant JSC, the leader of Russian agricultural machinery, Rostselmash, launched the production of VECTOR 410 grain harvesters and RSM 2375 tractors.

An important role in strengthening and expanding the existing Russian-Uzbek cooperation is played by the participation of domestic manufacturers of agricultural machinery in the AgroExpo Uzbekistan exhibition with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia and the Rosspetsmash Association. The operator of the combined Russian exposition is Expocentre AO.

In 2021, 22 domestic enterprises will participate in the Russian collective exposition at AgroExpo Uzbekistan. Among them are Rostselmash, Petersburg Tractor Plant (KIROVETS), KLEVER, Krasnokamsky RMZ, Pegas-Agro, Voronezhselmash, Melinvest, Eurotechnika (AMAZONE), Association ALMAZ "," Ingenium ", Machine-building plant" Tonar "and a number of others. On an area of over 700 sq. m will feature new domestic developments and popular models of wheeled tractors, grain and forage harvesters, tillage equipment, sprayers, grain processing and storage equipment, forage equipment, loaders, trailers and semi-trailers for transporting agricultural goods and much more.

The successful experience of working with Uzbek partners and buyers from other countries of Central Asia, accumulated over many years, confirms the keen interest in Russian agricultural machinery and its demand in the regional market. Every year new contracts are concluded for the purchase of Russian machinery and equipment for the agro-industrial complex, joint projects are launched to localize production, and cooperation in the investment sphere is developing.

The annual growth in the export of Russian agricultural machinery is due to the competitiveness and greater economic efficiency of machines from Russia, the launch of new innovative products on the market, with their adaptation to work in various conditions and in difficult agricultural environments.

Participation in AgroExpo Uzbekistan 2021 with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia will allow Russian machine builders to take the next step in strengthening cooperation with companies from Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries, increase the export of high-tech products, and also strengthen the position of Russian agricultural machinery in the world market.