Uzbekistan Agrarian Sector today
Agriculture in Uzbekistan
In the first half of 2008, prices for agricultural goods on the international markets continued to rise. To protect the domestic foodstuffs market from a jump in prices, the Uzbekistan government took steps to establish additional government foodstuff reserves, ensure the sustainable supply of foodstuffs to the peculation and stimulate livestock and crop production.
As a result of steps taken in the first half of 2008 the growth in the gross agricultural output accounted for 105.4% as compared with the corresponding period of 2007. Compared with the level of
2007, production of the following increased: gourds (141%), fruit (115.1%), vegetables (114.6%), potatoes (111.9%), milk (106.6%) and meat (106.4%). And production of foodstuffs by food processors grew by 30.2% and 4.1% more flour was sold to the population. Also, production of baked products increased 2-fold, sugar 2.1-fold, vegetable oil 7.7-foid, milk and dairy products 9.4%, soft drinks 1.5-fold.
In crop production, implementation of land development measures became more active. During the first half of 2008, 469 projects, funded by the "Fund for Melioration Improvement of Irrigated Lands" covering construction, reconstruction, repair and rehabilitation of 8,010.1 km of main, inter-district and intra-farm areas were completed. Forty state-owned unitary enterprises, specializing in improvement and other works were established. In the short run, these steps will improve the ameliorative condition and crop yield of more than 500 thousand ha of irrigated land.
In the production of fruit and vegetables and winegrowing, 193 agro-firms were established under the Program on the organization of cooperation of agricultural producers and processing enterprises. 22.1 thousand Agreements to buy 619.9 thousand tons of fruit and vegetables between the agro-firms and farms were made. In the first half of 2008, agreements to implement 34 projects10 were signed at the International Trade Fair of Mini-Technology and Compact Equipment for Agriculture.
In livestock farming, efforts to raise the cattle population became more active. According to the data from the Ministry Agriculture and Water Industry, as of 1 July 2008, 410 heads of pedigree cattle were imported into the country. Loans totaling 20.1 billion Soum were extended to the population for the purchase of cattle. These funds were provided by the commercial banks and the Fund for Promotion of Employment under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. In the first half of 2008, 10,206 heads of pedigree cattle were sold at 166 auction points around the country. 13.6 thousand families were provided with cows free of charge. Steps were taken to qualify those members of families, who are engaged in cattle farming, as "employed". Since these steps started, 1,196.6 thousand people engaged in cattle farming submitted applications to open or have a record made in their labor books. Of these, 474.4 thousand were issued with new labor books and 772 thousand people had a record made in their labor cooks.
In the poultry industry in the first half of 2008, 234.2 ha of lands were allocated to establish poultry 'arms; loans for 26 projects were extended and construction of 10 projects was launched.
In the first half of 2008, 1,333 fuel and lubricant supply points, 915 mineral fertilizer supply points: 1780 alternative Machine and Tractor Fleets, 1,203 minibanks, 1,676 Associations of Water Consumers were in operation providing services to the farming sector.
