Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 6 June, the Week of Innovative Technologies in the Agricultural Sector started at the Ministry of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The week was opened by the Minister of Innovative Development, Academician Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov.

“25% of the funds allocated to finance science are directed to the development of agriculture,” said I. Abdurakhmanov, addressing scientists and agricultural specialists. - The development of soil science is perceived by our ministry as a driver of the industry. Soil is the heart of agriculture and it is important to work to improve its quality. It is important that we work with the Ministry of Agriculture and in the field of combating biological stresses, that is, new threatening diseases. In what areas should we direct funds? What projects should be in priority - the purpose of our event is to get answers to these questions from you.

The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Committee for Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Development, the National Center for Knowledge and Innovation in Agriculture, the Council of Farmers, Dekhkan Farms and Landowners of Uzbekistan, the Uzbeksanoat Association, research institutes, Tashkent State Agrarian University with their innovative developments and projects.

Within the framework of the week, it is also envisaged that USAID representatives in Uzbekistan will present certificates for financing applied research in agribusiness.

At the event, it was noted that the Ministry of Innovative Development is doing a lot of work to increase the intellectual and technological potential of the economy and regions of the republic, the formation of a modern infrastructure for scientific and innovative activities.

In the ranking of the Global Innovation Index, which determines the trends of innovative development in the world, Uzbekistan ranks 86 out of 132 countries, which is 7 points higher than in 2020 and 36 points higher than in 2015.

In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 1 April 2021, the position of deputy head for innovation was introduced in 140 organizations with a state share of 50% or more in the authorized capital, departments for innovation activities were created in 130 organizations, and a “road card for three years.

In 2021-2022 in the field of livestock development, work is underway to introduce innovative technologies to increase the gene pool of livestock breeds and increase meat productivity, expand the forage base through the use of genetic methods. In the livestock sector, 42 projects were financed in 2021-2022 (2 innovative, 24 applied, 13 commercial, 3 start-ups) for a total of 18.68 billion soums.

In 2021-2022, work is underway to create innovative designs of agricultural machinery and new technologies for cultivating agricultural products, aimed at improving the efficiency of processing in agriculture.

In 2021-2022, 183 projects were financed in the industry (13 fundamental, 120 applied, 29 in preparation for commercialization, 14 start-ups) in the amount of 98.26 billion soums:

the resistance of grapes to winter and spring frosts and other aggressive climatic conditions was studied; Work is underway to reduce losses to 30 percent (now 50 percent and more);

in Chust district work is underway to create a technology for growing medicinal plants kavar;

in Khorezm, Andijan, Surkhandarya and Tashkent regions, stevia is grown and processed into natural sweeteners Sweetlife 1 and Sweetlife 2.

In 2021-2022, 12 projects were financed in the amount of 9.6 billion soums (9 applied, 1 applied from young scientists, 1 experimental design, 1 innovative) in the following areas:

creation of mobile innovative laboratories "Soil Clinic" to serve agricultural enterprises and assess the level of useful and harmful substances in irrigated soils;

soil-ecological maps were developed to assess the level of soil health in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Namangan, Ferghana, Surkhandarya and Tashkent regions;

technologies for 3D mapping and cultivation of environmentally friendly products have been developed and implemented in Kashkadarya, Samarkand and Tashkent regions, taking into account the degree of poisoning of agricultural land with toxic substances;

methodology for creating 3D maps and gypsum cartography of 23,318 hectares of irrigated land in Bukhara region based on geoinformation technologies. 

production of feed based on innovative technologies for animal husbandry, fisheries and poultry farming by hydroponics method using sawdust and reeds;

production of cricket meal as feed for poultry and livestock;

widespread introduction of technology for growing leeches;

the production of OMEGA-3 oil from meat and fish waste was organized.

The production of innovative products, such as a polyvalent vaccine against animal diseases, a weather station for measuring climate parameters, local probiotic feed, and a cotton separator, was launched and presented at the exhibition.

As a result of the implementation of these projects on the ground, more than 2,000 new jobs will be created, new products for the economy will be launched, and new jobs will be created.

The effectiveness of the forum can be judged by the agreements signed between agricultural enterprises on innovative developments created in scientific and higher educational institutions and to be implemented in the future, as well as the growing interest of the subjects of the agro-industrial complex in financing projects.

During the event, active participants were awarded certificates and letters of thanks to organizations.