At the same time, the ministry said that share of agriculture production in GDP of Uzbekistan made up 15.8% in the reporting period.

Production of industrial output at the Ministry’s system made up 75.7 billion soums (growth rate – 20.3% year-on-year, excluding hydro power stations) and consumer goods – 5.32 billion soums (+12.8%).

Adopted measures on supporting exporters at the system of the Ministry and export diversification helped to fulfill export forecast with 37.2% surplus in nine months of 2011. The ministry’s system used state capital investments for 229.6 billion soums. The ministry used US$46.52 million within implemented 10 projects.

Within the State Programme on improvement of irrigated land, the ministry utilized 123.9 billion soums or 67.2% of the forecast volume for 2011. It is planned to improve conditions of land a 260,000 hectares.

The ministry said that it saved over 12.5 billion soums due to decreasing energy expenses by 150 million kilowatt-hours.

Within the 10 projects of the Localization Programme, the ministry’s system produced import-replacing goods for 2.12 billion soums.

In line with the presidential order F-3512 from 18 October 2010, number of farms in Uzbekistan made up 66,134 as of 1 October 2011 after optimization of their land size. They received 5.295 million hectares of land on rent.

Agriculture enterprises (mainly farmers) received 4,629 agriculture equipments for 104.3 billion soums in the reporting period. They also received mineral fertilizers and lubricant and fuel products.

Commercial banks of Uzbekistan issued soft loans for 1.597 trillion soums to agriculture sector, of which 413 billion soums to grain production and 1.184 trillion soums to cotton production.

During season, the farmers produced 437,844 boxes of silkworm and they submitted 24,666.9 tonnes of live silk cocoon. The yield made up 56.3 kg per box of silkworm.

Grain-growers produced 6.8 million tonnes of grain and average yield in irrigated lands made up 50.2 centners per hectare.

Farmers also produced 9.155 million tonnes of fruits, vegetables and potatoes, or 888,500 tonnes more year-on-year. The growth rate made up 10.7%.

Within the programme on expansion of non-traditional oil-bearing crops, as of 1 October 2011, some 1,719 tonnes of sunflower and 9,486 tonnes of safflower were harvested. The ministry added that harvesting works are underway.

As of 1 October 2011, number of cattle reached 9.428 million heads, or grew by 6% year-on-year. Number of cows rose by 5.1%, sheep and goats – by 4.7%, and poultry – 14% respectively.

The ministry added that 1.133 million tonnes of meat in live weight (+6,9%), milk – 4.91 million tonnes (+7.2%), eggs – 2.563 million units (+13%).