Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed proposals to introduce environmentally friendly technologies in greenhouse farms, reduce emissions and develop modern greenhouse production in the country’s regions.
During the presentation, officials examined the condition of greenhouses in Tashkent and nearby districts. Last year, a special commission conducted an inventory of the facilities and helped some farms switch to environmentally friendly energy sources. However, some greenhouses continue to use coal.
During the autumn and winter, when winds weaken and temperature inversions occur, emissions from greenhouse farms can accumulate in the capital and its surrounding areas. In response, officials have proposed introducing a special environmental regime in Tashkent and five neighbouring districts, requiring a transition to cleaner energy sources.
Natural gas, electricity, geothermal and solar energy, as well as waste heat from thermal power plants, would be permitted for greenhouse heating. The burning of tyres, plastics, bitumen, fuel oil, used oils and waste would be prohibited.
Greenhouse farms using solid fuels have been proposed to switch to permitted energy sources by 1 December this year. Exceptions could be made for farms that meet strict technical requirements. These include storing fuel in enclosed premises, installing automated boilers and effective dust and gas cleaning equipment, maintaining a backup generator, safely collecting ash and slag, and complying with regulations on chimney height.
From 15 October this year to 15 March next year, continuous environmental monitoring is planned at greenhouse farms. It will cover the operation of pollution-control equipment, emission volumes and compliance with fuel requirements. Data from measuring instruments and video surveillance systems will be transmitted in real time to the information system of the National Committee on Ecology. Drones and public representatives are also expected to be involved in monitoring.
If pollution-control equipment is absent, emission limits are exceeded or prohibited fuels are used, enforcement measures will be applied. Greenhouse operations may be suspended where necessary.
To encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies, officials have proposed subsidies of up to 50 million soums per hectare of greenhouse area, as well as preferential loans of up to 3 billion soums for seven years. Measures are also planned to reduce the costs of purchasing and installing environmental monitoring equipment.
A separate package of proposals concerns the modernization of greenhouses operated by households. Until 2030, it is proposed to cut land and property taxes by 50%, exempt these farms from turnover tax and reimburse half the electricity costs incurred by energy-saving systems.
The authorities are also considering grants of up to 100 million soums for households in Tashkent and surrounding areas to introduce green energy sources and install efficient equipment. Preferential loans could amount to up to 300 million soums for building new environmentally friendly greenhouses and up to 150 million soums for modernizing existing ones. Environmentally safe greenhouses are planned for families in need in 50 mahallas specializing in greenhouse farming.
Another area of focus will be the collection, treatment and reuse of contaminated drainage and filtration water generated by greenhouse farms. To support this work, officials have proposed establishing a specialized operator and the necessary infrastructure in Akhangaran district.
The presentation also addressed the development of greenhouse production in regions with favourable climatic conditions. In particular, 940 hectares of land have been allocated for the Surkhan-Agro free economic zone in Sherabad district, and a master plan has been prepared. The zone is intended to accommodate greenhouses and agricultural logistics facilities, including farms currently held on banks’ balance sheets.
Investors in the zone have been granted a zero land rental rate for five years, along with three-year exemptions from payments for sewerage and groundwater use. Officials have additionally proposed putting land plots up for auction at a starting price equal to 10% of their normative value. For projects worth more than US$10 million and businesses relocating greenhouse farms from Tashkent and Tashkent Region, the proposed starting rate would be reduced to 1%.
The authorities are also considering exempting zone participants from land, property and profit taxes for five years, as well as waiving customs duties on imported greenhouse equipment.
Greenhouse complexes and agricultural logistics facilities are planned across 400 hectares and will be offered to investors as ready-made projects. Officials have proposed allocating 220 billion soums for infrastructure development and another 200 billion soums to finance projects. The zone is expected to attract US$100 million in investment in 2027.
Following the presentation, officials were instructed to prepare a digital map showing greenhouse locations and specifying the sources and volumes of energy supplies. They were also tasked with developing measures to expand opportunities for selling greenhouse produce in domestic and foreign markets.
