Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and Germany plan to develop scientific and technical cooperation in potato farming, including the production of high-quality seed potatoes, the introduction of modern agricultural technologies and the practical application of research findings.
The issues were discussed by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Agriculture, Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, and a delegation led by Jürgen Schwarzensteiner, managing director of German company Farmtastic Consulting GmbH. Sergei Werner, a member of the project’s supervisory board, also attended the meeting.
The minister outlined measures to develop Uzbekistan’s potato sector, including the cultivation of high-generation seed potatoes in in vitro laboratories, aeroponic greenhouses and net houses.
The sides also focused on the work of the Uzbek-Hungarian Potato Growing Centre under the National Centre for Knowledge and Innovation in Agriculture (AKIS), as well as research conducted by the Institute of Genomics.
According to Abdurakhmonov, one of the sector’s key priorities is to increase mini-tuber production, supply them to specialised farms and strengthen the country’s seed potato base. Achieving these goals requires adapting international scientific experience and modern breeding advances to Uzbekistan’s soil and climatic conditions.
The participants also reviewed research conducted jointly with scientists from Egypt and South Korea, along with the results of mini-tuber planting in several regions of Uzbekistan. The Bakhmal district of Jizzakh Region was identified as an important area for developing potato farming and seed production.
Another topic was the introduction of water-saving technologies. Abdurakhmonov highlighted the potential of centre-pivot irrigation systems, which can improve water efficiency, help control plant nutrition and deliver mineral fertilisers in the required quantities.
The German delegation positively assessed Uzbekistan’s efforts to develop the sector and its approach of putting scientific recommendations into practice.
Following the meeting, both sides expressed their readiness to expand scientific cooperation, develop joint potato-growing projects and apply their results in agricultural production.
