The President met with agricultural workers

– Your invaluable work in increasing the indicators of not only agriculture, but also the economy, improving the standard of living of the population and ensuring food security deserves all praise, – said the President.

The agricultural industry, where 3.5 million of our compatriots work, showed impressive results this year. Our skilled dehkans and farmers collected about 4 million tons of cotton from 875 thousand hectares of land. For the first time, the average yield of this crop reached 46 quintals.

Grain producers collected 8.4 million tons of crop, the average yield was 85 quintals. Having sowed 268 thousand hectares, rice farmers harvested 1.34 million tons of agricultural products with an average yield of 50 centners.

In three years, 155 thousand hectares of orchards and vineyards were created, and the area of ​​intensive gardens increased to 150 thousand hectares. This year, 3.4 million tons of fruits, 2 million tons of grapes, 19.5 million tons of vegetables, potatoes and wheat crops, 1 million tons of legumes and oilseeds were grown.

Since the beginning of the year, food exports have increased by 37 percent and reached $3 billion, and by the end of 2025 this figure will exceed $3.2 billion for the first time. The number of countries to which our fruits and vegetables are exported has increased by 18 and reached 83.

– Of course, it is fair to say that behind such outstanding results is the hard work, determination and dedication of our farmers and farmers, clusters and everyone who works in the field of agriculture and water management. Their hard work, perseverance and noble qualities deserve the highest recognition and attention, the President said.

In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated December 9 of this year, a group of particularly distinguished workers in the field were awarded honorary titles, they were awarded orders and medals.

The ceremony was held to present these awards.

Continuing his speech, the President outlined the most important tasks facing the industry next year.

Next year, cotton cultivation will be expanded according to the 76th scheme using new agricultural technologies; cotton will be grown on 891 thousand hectares only according to this scheme. The areas where foreign varieties resistant to pests, herbicides, salinity and drought will be planted will be doubled and brought to 500 thousand hectares.

300 thousand hectares will be sown with seeds based on the “Xinjiang experience”. 2 trillion 600 billion soums of soft loans will be allocated for the introduction of drip irrigation technology within the framework of this program. 250 billion soums will be allocated to subsidize farmers growing cotton at their own expense - the amount of assistance will be up to 10 percent of the harvest.

At the same time, farmers who used half the credit limit for growing cotton will also receive a subsidy of up to 5 percent of the harvest.

Particular attention will also be paid to the creation of new local varieties of cotton.

In particular, cotton seed production will be developed in scientific centers based on the selection of 56 domestic varieties with foreign ones. A phytotron and a greenhouse will be built for the institutes of genomics and cotton growing.

The practice of supplying mineral fertilizers and fuel for growing cotton through the exchange with a 10-15 percent discount will continue next year.

Now a separate rating of farmers harvesting cotton and grain will be maintained.

At the same time, for farmers who have been working for at least 10 years and have no overdue debts on loans, leasing and taxes, the interest rates of preferential loans provided from the Agricultural Fund will be further reduced depending on their rating. That is, for farmers occupying the top positions of the ranking, the loan rate will be 8 percent for cotton growers and 10 percent for grain producers.

A school of innovative agriculture is being created in Mirzachul. At this school, 1 thousand farmers from all over the republic will be trained in the skills of growing cotton in steppe conditions. Farmers who have completed training and received a certificate will receive an additional 10 points in the ranking.

It was emphasized that it is important to increase the number of qualified agronomists.

In this regard, 180 students of the Agricultural University will undergo internships in advanced clusters and farms in the format of dual training. For training in agronomic skills, each farmer and cluster will be paid 5 million soums per student, and the student himself will receive a scholarship in the amount of 1.5 million soums.

Young agronomists who will introduce innovations in the activities of farmers, help increase yields and reduce costs through high-quality seeds and varieties, as well as modern agricultural technologies, will be paid a salary of 2 thousand dollars a month.

To bring the level of mechanization in cotton growing to 85 percent, next year it is planned to bring another 800 cotton harvesting machines, 450 multifunctional seeders and 3 thousand machines for collecting film.

In general, to further intensify work in cotton growing in 2026, 35 trillion soums will be allocated to support farmers and farmers.

It was noted that research on the creation of new varieties that are resistant will also be intensified to salinity, drought and heat will be intensified in grain production. Farmers growing grain at their own expense will be provided with a subsidy in the amount of 10 percent of their harvest, similar to the current procedure in cotton growing.

A three-year program will also be adopted to create new orchards and vineyards, as well as renovate existing ones.

From now on, for the establishment of intensive orchards, a loan will be provided for seven years under 14 percent with a three-year grace period. For the construction of cold storage warehouses, up to 8 percent of the interest rate above the base rate will be compensated. Exporters of vegetable products and gardeners will be reimbursed 50 percent of packaging costs.

It is emphasized that to increase the production of fruits and vegetables, it is extremely important to effectively use pastures, hilly and foothill areas.

In this regard, such lands will be put up for auction for the creation of industrial gardens, vineyards, cultivation of vegetable and fodder crops at a price of 1 percent of their cadastral value. Auction winners will be able to sublease the land, and the right to sublease will be registered free of charge.

It is noted that in the current rapidly changing conditions, ensuring price stability in markets and food security should remain the focus of constant attention.

Stocks of basic food products for the autumn-winter period are currently underway. From now on, this process will be carried out all year round, and a mechanism of constant government intervention is being introduced to stabilize prices.

Another important area is increasing the production of meat and milk.

Next year it is planned to import 100 thousand heads of cattle and 200 thousand heads of sheep and goats. Farmers growing cotton and grains will be allowed to erect light buildings on an area of ​​up to 20 acres for the development of livestock farming on their own lands. Subsidies for the import of breeding stock and day-old chicks will be extended for another five years.

$157 million will be allocated to livestock projects next year using resources from the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. These funds will be provided to livestock farmers for 10 years at 17 percent with a three-year grace period.

A number of innovations are also being introduced in fish farming aimed at updating breeds, increasing productivity and ensuring transparency.

Together with partners from Hungary and Norway, two breeding centers for carp and cold-water fish are being created in the Yangiyul and Bostanlyk regions. Half of the cost of importing breeding fish will be reimbursed. Fish farms are exempt from customs duties when importing hatchery equipment, laboratories and closed water circulation systems. Farms that implement intensive fish farming technologies will have land and property taxes halved.

Until now, subsidies in agriculture were distributed by six ministries. The Agricultural Payments Agency has now been created, which will provide all financial services in one place. Next year, 2 trillion 20 billion soums of subsidies for farmers and farmers will be allocated through the agency. The process of providing them will be reduced from four stages to two, and the period for receiving them will be from one month to 15 days.

Voluntary crop insurance for cotton, grain and greenhouse products will begin next year. Half of the insurance premiums will be covered from the budget.

Already this year, with the help of more than 100 drones, land and crops were monitored, and advanced agrotechnical measures were introduced. Next year it is planned to purchase more than 50 modern agricultural drones from China. In each region, at least two mobile drone complexes will be created to provide agricultural services.

Another issue is the condition of 70 thousand kilometers of open drainage and collector canals throughout the country. By gradually converting them into a closed system, you can free up additional areas for crops and significantly reduce the cost of cleaning canals.

In this regard, a separate program will be adopted for the transition of open drainages and sewers to a closed system, for which $100 million is allocated.

– I will not tire of repeating: where there is no science and research, there is no development, growth and progress,” the President said.

Today in In the agricultural sector there are 22 scientific centers and 260 laboratories, where hundreds of scientists and researchers with high potential work. To fully utilize this resource, the Academy of Agricultural Sciences will be created, ensuring the integration of “science – education – production”. The Academy will be responsible for the development of fundamental and applied research in the field of agriculture.

In addition, 500 leading farmers, gardeners and exporters will be sent for training to China, Turkey, the Netherlands and France.

During the meeting, an open dialogue took place with representatives of the agricultural industry. The President listened to their proposals and opinions.