BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 3
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Uzbekistan plans to introduce foreign varieties of rice in domestic fields - an agreement has already been signed with Chinese colleagues on the supply of hybrid seeds, Trend reports citing spot.uz.
In this regard, new varieties of rice and hybrids, machinery and units, laboratory installations, and spare parts are exempt from customs duties until January 1, 2023.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on the cultivation of raw rice. It is noted that specialists from five ministries and departments of the country, scientists from the research institute of rice growing took part in its development.
According to the information, at the moment, rice is grown in 22 districts of Uzbekistan on 17,500 hectares. It is planned to expand these areas by another four hectares. It is proposed to create elite seed farming on the basis of large rice farms and clusters.
It is reported that new requirements will be imposed on rice farms, namely, the creation of highly productive seeds in cooperation with the Research Institute of Rice Growing, obtaining seeds with strict quarantine supervision from foreign producers, allocating additional areas for elite varieties, as well as approbation, inspection, cleaning and classification of rice on farms.
Head of the Gulistan Agrogroup cluster Ibragim Muratov noted that the decree provides for the creation of clusters, not just growing rice, but also engaged in seed production in every region of Uzbekistan. He added that advanced technologies will be used at the clusters and their products will be certified.
Thus, Uzstandart will certify accredited legal entities from June 1. The Ministry of Innovations, as an exception, has been organizing a competition of projects for the development of breeding, agricultural technology, and seed production systems since February 1.
In addition, deputy head of the Ministry of Agriculture Abdulla Mansurov said that for the first time in Uzbekistan, the seedling method will be practiced, which will save water resources by 25 percent compared to the usual one.
Moreover, this year it is planned to introduce a new method on 20 percent of the cultivated area for rice. In 2022, there will be 40 percent of them, and 50 percent of the land will be leveled using laser leveling, and 30 percent will be planted with modern seeders.
“All this will double the crop yield. Until the end of the year, manufacturers of seeders and other equipment will receive compensation for their cost,” the message said.
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