Uzbek President holds meeting to discuss situation in agriculture sector

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev hold a videoconference meeting on 31 July, which was dedicated to issues of accelerating the development of cotton, sowing repeated crops in areas liberated after harvesting grain, efficient use of household land and export of agricultural products.

On 4 July, it was announced that from 5 July to 5 September Uzbekistan will focus on ensuring high yield in agriculture sector. At the meeting the work done for the past time is analyzed, the press service of the head of Uzbekistan said.

It was noted that the lag in the development of cotton was not eliminated, the development of cotton still lags behind for 8-10 days, in some places - for 12-15 days from normal indicators. The meeting criticized the fact that in some areas the cotton fields are in an orphaned state, the cotton is thirsty, the crop is under threat of loss.

It was instructed to take measures against the heads of the districts, who have committed shortcomings in the fulfillment of tasks in the sphere of agriculture.

It was noted the need for timely and high-quality agrotechnical measures in cotton fields, watering cotton, processing row spacing, and effective use of cultivators.

Another problem is related to the growing number of pests of cotton and insects this year. Scientists have revealed that the survival rate of a cotton scoop after winter is 76 percent, which is the highest in recent years.

“When 50 percent of insects survive after winter, this is regarded as an emergency. And this year insects are 1.5 times larger. All managers must draw the appropriate conclusions, it is especially important that farmers work with a sense of responsibility for their harvest,” the head of state said.

Measures have been defined for the systematic organization of work on pest and insect control, chemical treatment of cotton fields using scientifically based methods.

The meeting also touched upon the issue of cotton irrigation. Instructions are given for targeted use of water, drawing up schedules for watering cotton fields, providing water to remote farming fields, controlling the "sorbet" method of irrigation.

Particular attention is paid to issues of sowing repeated crops on areas that are freed from grain, concluding contracts and paying advance payments.

Today, there is a growing demand and prices for food products in the world. In such conditions, the expansion of harvesting of agricultural products, the saturation of the domestic market with affordable food and the increase in exports are extremely important.

With this purpose in the current year, it is planned to sow 680,000 hectares of crops liberated from grain with repeated crops. However, after more than a month, the sowing work on the ground is not organized at the proper level and is not finished.

“Repeated crops are, firstly, exports, and secondly, a food reserve, which ensures prosperity and stability of prices in the domestic market,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

Responsible managers are instructed to provide in full with the material and technical resources necessary for the cultivation of re-crops, timely agrotechnical measures, conclude contracts with processing enterprises, exporters and procurement organizations on the purchase of products, payment of advance payments to farmers.

The tasks for effective use of household plots, the activation of the activities of the enterprises of "Tomorka hizmati", the supply of seeds to households, mineral fertilizers and other necessary resources have been determined.

The issues of mobilization of reserves for ensuring additional revenues to local budgets, fulfillment of the forecast indicators for the export of products and services, responsible assignments were considered as well.