Tasks in agriculture were discussed

On March 23, under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a video conference was held on measures to increase food production, effective organization of the spring sowing season.

Food security is one of the most important factors of the well-being of the population and the containment of inflation. In recent years, 200 thousand hectares have been allocated for the cultivation of food crops and an additional 500 thousand hectares of land have been put into circulation, which contributes to maintaining price stability in the domestic market.

In order to ensure prosperity on the table of the population, in accordance with the decree of the head of state, 35 types of food products have been exempted from import duties until January 1, 2024. In addition, persons included in the social register will receive a refund of value-added tax when purchasing cattle meat, sheep and poultry, eggs and vegetable oil. This will help more than 2 million families.

In the last two years, food inflation in the world has been fixed at a level of at least 15-20 percent per year. The prices of vegetable oil, milk and meat have risen to the highest level in the last 30 years. Rising prices for transportation, fertilizers and fuel also affect the cost of food.

According to the analysis, this situation will continue both in 2023 and in the coming years. Therefore, it is necessary to find additional opportunities to increase food production and provide employment for people, it was noted at the meeting.

In this regard, the opportunities available in the regions were analyzed, measures for their implementation were determined.

- All conditions have been created for the procurement of food products. From now on, the allocation of additional land is impossible. Now it is necessary to increase productivity using science and effective technologies, increasing labor productivity," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

The allocation of preferential loans last year, direct financing of the purchase of seeds, seedlings, fertilizers and finished products had a positive effect on food production. This year, 6 trillion 200 billion soums will be allocated for these purposes.

In particular, 700 billion soums will be allocated from the Agricultural Fund to replenish the working capital of fruit and vegetable growing entities.

The Ministry of Agriculture will allocate $130 million directly to entrepreneurs. To do this, entrepreneurs will submit their projects for consideration through the transparent electronic platform of the Ministry. 80 percent of the loan amount can be repaid in installments within 10 years. The loan will be more accessible due to the absence of a "bank surcharge".

It was also noted that $200 million raised from JICA will be allocated for the production and processing of food products.

The necessity of effective use of these funds and creation of new gardens is emphasized.

The possibilities for the industrialization of agriculture and employment of the population are also indicated. For example, mulberry cocoons are a profitable product, the harvesting process of which takes only a month. However, the possibilities of sericulture in some areas are not fully used.

In this regard, the task was set to create sericulture clusters by developing rain-fed and pasture lands located near settlements. Based on the Vietnamese experience, these lands of 1-2 hectares will be provided to the population for planting both mulberry trees and food crops. As a result, it was noted at the meeting, it will be possible to provide 2 million people with earnings and increase the export of the industry by $ 600 million.

Another unused resource is the land around fields and collector-drainage networks. It was noted that vacant land of this type can be leased to farm workers and socially vulnerable families.

The meeting also discussed the issue of providing agriculture with machinery.

Today, clusters, farmers and farmers have formed a demand for almost 11 thousand machines and aggregates. Therefore, from April 1, a 15% subsidy will be provided for the purchase of all types of agricultural machinery of domestic production. Imported equipment is exempt from customs duties and disposal fees for a period of three years, and deferred payment of value added tax will be allowed. Loans will be issued for the purchase of equipment at 10 percent per annum for a period of 10 years.

The Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade has been tasked with expanding the implementation of projects involving the production of 25 types of food products in the country with the largest share in imports. Instructions are given to create favorable conditions for farmers and entrepreneurs using various economic instruments.

Reports of heads of industries and regions, opinions of entrepreneurs were heard on the issues discussed at the meeting.