Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan issued 11,031,381 QR labels for seeds through the agrosert.uz information system in January–September 2026, according to Sarvinoz Ismoilova, press secretary of the Agricultural Product Quality Assessment Centre.
During the same period, the centre conducted digital field inspections of seed crops, laboratory tests of agricultural products and certification of grain, cotton fibre and other materials. Its responsibilities include assessing quality, conducting laboratory tests and certifying seeds and seedlings of agricultural crops, cotton fibre, cotton technical seeds, grain and grain products.
A new seed quality assessment system was introduced in 2026 under Presidential Decree No. UP-109, dated 7 July 2025. Labels for imported seeds were issued electronically before the seeds entered Uzbekistan, while labels for seeds prepared for sowing were provided in printed form. The processing time was one to two days.
At the initiative of Uzagroinspection, inspections of seed plots and assessments of varietal characteristics were conducted digitally for the first time using specialised tablets. Inspection results, reports and certificates were prepared electronically directly in the fields.
Inspections covered 76,400 hectares of grain seed crops. Of this area, 64,900 hectares, or 85%, were deemed suitable for seed production, while 11,500 hectares did not meet the required standards.
Cotton crops were inspected across 52,000 hectares. A total of 40,600 hectares, or 78%, were approved, while 11,600 hectares, or 22%, failed the assessment.
Laboratory testing also covered 42,235 tonnes of cotton seeds. Positive assessments were issued for 40,620 tonnes, while 1,615 tonnes were deemed unsuitable for sowing.
In the seed potato sector, specialists tested 17,586 tonnes of potatoes and 2,295,163 minitubers. Of these, 17,321 tonnes of potatoes and 2,087,163 minitubers were approved for planting. A further 265.1 tonnes of potatoes and 208,000 minitubers failed to meet the requirements. The inspections helped prevent the spread of viral diseases.
Testing also covered 8,986.5 tonnes of imported vegetable, melon, fodder and other agricultural crop seeds. Certificates confirming suitability for sowing were issued for 8,697.4 tonnes.
Among domestically produced seeds, 231,809 tonnes of wheat were tested. Of this amount, 230,223 tonnes were approved for sowing, while 1,586 tonnes did not meet the requirements.
The centre also assessed the quality of 3,245,710 domestically produced and imported fruit and ornamental tree seedlings. It issued 231 certificates of conformity and conclusions confirming their suitability for planting.
In the cotton products sector, the centre certified 134,915 tonnes of cotton fibre, equivalent to 605,550 bales, during the first nine months of the year. This represented a 44.3% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
Specialists tested 259,438 tonnes of cotton technical seeds to assess their quality and oil content. The volume of oil-content testing conducted using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysers reached 55,400 tonnes, up 66.9% from January–September 2025. The centre also certified 7,209 tonnes of cotton linters.
In grain and grain product quality assessment, 58 contracts were drawn up following 781 applications. The tests resulted in the issuance of 1,218 quality certificates and 315 certificates of conformity.
Certified imports of grain and grain products totalled 539,761 tonnes, comprising 513,953 tonnes of wheat and 25,808 tonnes of flour products. On the export side, 5,232 tonnes of products were certified, including 2,453 tonnes of wheat and 2,779 tonnes of flour products.
As part of the 2026 grain campaign, the centre signed contracts to certify 2,415,600 tonnes of wheat scheduled for receipt between May and September. The entire planned volume was certified.
During the reporting period, the centre reviewed 45 applications from individuals and legal entities, all of which were resolved positively. It also registered 393 letters from legal entities and took the corresponding action on them.
To improve professional qualifications, the centre trained 244 specialists. More than 200 employees received practical training in digital systems used for seed plot inspections. Training also covered anti-corruption measures, compliance controls and standardisation.
As part of its digitalisation efforts, the centre upgraded the agrosert.uz system. Grain enterprises gained the ability to issue electronic conclusions confirming their readiness to receive grain. The information system was integrated with the system of the Treasury Service Committee under the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The centre also purchased 200 tablets for digital field inspections.
The centre's international cooperation includes joint work with ISCAD to improve seed production and strengthen the technical capacity of laboratories. More than 27 proposals across six areas were developed using saved funds and received approval.
Preparations are also under way to obtain international accreditation for the genetically modified organisms laboratory, while other laboratories are improving their operations in line with International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) requirements. Twelve centre specialists completed advanced training in Ankara.
Working with partners from the United States, Brazil, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the centre is pursuing initiatives to develop seed production, strengthen laboratory capacity and introduce international best practices. Preparatory work has also been carried out for a project to build a seed potato quality assessment laboratory and install solar panels.
The centre's upcoming international events include the Ninth International Congress on Seed Production and Seed Trade of the Economic Cooperation Organization Seed Association (ECOSA), scheduled for 27–28 October 2026 in Tashkent.
The congress is expected to feature the centre's experience in seed quality assessment, laboratory testing, certification and digitalisation. Participants also plan to discuss creating a joint catalogue, developing seed trade and expanding cooperation with foreign organisations to increase the export potential of Uzbek seeds.
