On May 25, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a government meeting on measures to improve the plant protection system, the presidential press service said.
The supply of mineral fertilizers and chemicals is one of the areas of Uzagrokimyohimoya (Uz Agro Chemical Protection agency, established in 2016), but in recent years, clusters, farms and other companies have begun to deal with it. The demand for this area of work and other services of Uzagrokimyohimoya is falling. In this regard, at the meeting it was proposed to abolish the enterprise and transfer its powers and functions to other entities.
The functions of plant protection and locust control will be transferred to the State Plant Quarantine Inspectorate. The Uzbekipaksanoat (Uzbek Silk Industry) Association, its member clusters, as well as provincial governor office will deal with the unpaired silkworm. The supplies of mineral fertilizers and chemicals will be entirely transferred to the private sector.
In addition, Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed to open biological laboratories and "plant clinics", attract qualified agronomists and entomologists, and create a network of agrochemical services available to every farmer.
Financial support for the development of the sector will be provided by Agrobank. At the first stage, the bank will open a credit line for 150 billion soums for the organization of laboratories, the purchase of equipment and machinery, and the issuance of working capital to service enterprises.
Interest on loans for laboratory and other equipment purchased by businesses, in the part exceeding the base rate, will be compensated from the budget. The Entrepreneurship Support Fund will provide a loan guarantee in the amount of up to 50%.
The President instructed to develop a government resolution to strengthen the system of training specialized specialists at the Tashkent State Agrarian University and its branches and to retrain mid-level specialists.
In addition, the head of state pointed out the need to expand services for the protection of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers in cities.
