00:04From modern farming technologies to new investment opportunities, Uzbekistan is reshaping its agricultural sector, aiming to increase productivity, expand exports
00:15and strengthen food security.
00:17This is BusinessLine Uzbekistan. Hello and welcome. Agriculture remains a key part of Uzbekistan's economy, but the sector is changing.
00:27New investment is going into how food is growing, processed and brought to market, while the country is also looking
00:34to increase exports and strengthen its own food security.
00:38Uzbek agricultural products are now exported to 92 markets worldwide. In recent years, trade turnover in the sector has approached
00:4713.3 billion euros, while exports of fruit and vegetables, processed goods and other food products have reached around 3
00:57.1 billion euros.
00:58The target is to increase food exports to 8.9 billion euros by 2030. Investment in intensive orchards, vineyards and
01:08greenhouse production is aimed at raising yields and increasing the share of higher-value products.
01:15At the same time, Uzbekistan has designated 2026 to 2030 as a priority period for food security, with efforts focused
01:25on increasing domestic production and reducing reliance on imports of key products, such as grain, vegetable oil and sugar.
01:33Taken together, these changes go well beyond increasing production. They affect how farms use technology, how food is processed and
01:42monitored, and how Uzbek producers compete in international markets.
01:47At this 138-hectar orchard, growers prioritize fruit quality over maximum yields.
02:12To boost investment, Uzbekistan plans 172,000 hectares of new commercial orchards by 2028, supported by loans and subsidies.
02:41Digital tools and agricultural drones are being introduced, while water scarcity creates demand for more efficient irrigation.
02:49EBRD has recently launched with the Minister of Agriculture, the Agri-Food Investment Opportunities Platform, which its short name is
02:58Anora Platform, which aims at mobilizing investments at around 1.5 billion US dollars, aimed at mainly increasing the agri
03:11-food system capabilities in Uzbekistan.
03:16According to the EBRD, irrigation consumers consume around a fifth of Uzbekistan's electricity. Modernizing pumping systems could reduce costs and
03:25save water.
03:27Joining us now is Shamshat Ergyashev, head of the Secretariat of the Minister of Agriculture.
03:32Mr. Ergyashev, how is Uzbekistan modernizing its agricultural system, and what role will technology play in increasing productivity?
03:40I mean, we were talking about an important role. We're talking about funding that we support the current and high
03:53-tech energy.
04:06Sous-titrage MFP.
04:56Sous-titrage MFP.
