Senate Reviews Outcomes of Parliamentary Inquiry on Cultivation and Processing of Medicinal Plants

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At a plenary session, the Senate reviewed the results of a parliamentary inquiry regarding the cultivation, processing, and quota allocation for medicinal plants, as well as the conduct of scientific research in this sector.

During the discussion, it was noted that significant work has been carried out to identify reserves of promising raw plant materials and to inventory flora in protected natural areas.

Standardized technological maps have been developed for the care of 34 types of medicinal and edible plants and for organizing their cultivation.

With the involvement of forestry enterprises and private business structures, cooperative systems for cultivation, harvesting, and processing of medicinal and edible plants have been established.

On the lands of forestry enterprises covering 5.9 thousand hectares, plantations of medicinal and edible plants have been created, while 114 business entities have organized nurseries and plantations on 28.2 thousand hectares for the cultivation of medicinal, edible, and technical wild plants.

Senators emphasized the need to accelerate the creation of a laboratory for certification and standardization of medicinal plant raw materials and products derived from them, as well as seed-production farms for elite varieties engaged in breeding high-quality medicinal plants.

The importance of transitioning from wild species to cultivated, selectively bred varieties and hybrids, as well as expanding the area of cultivated plantations, was also highlighted.

Following the discussion, the Senate adopted a resolution outlining further measures to develop the medicinal plant raw material industry.