Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Ittifok mahalla of Saykhunabad district, where he got acquainted with the households and households of the population.

One of the pressing issues in our country is employment. Whether it is economic reforms or regional programs, they are all aimed at creating jobs and improving the quality of life of the population.

As a result of these events, 2 million 400 thousand people have become self-employed in recent years. Almost 2 million people were lifted out of poverty. As part of the program “20 thousand entrepreneurs – 500 thousand qualified specialists”, contracts were signed to provide employment to 455 thousand people. At the mahalla level, 51 thousand microprojects were implemented, 206 thousand new jobs were created. Unemployed citizens are trained in modern professions and foreign languages at the Ishga Markhamat educational centers.

The current state program stipulates employment of 5 million people, including more than 2 million in agriculture and household plots.

At a meeting with the head of state on 7 March, the possibilities of using the capabilities of mahallas and creating sources of income for families were considered.

One of the most accessible and widespread ways was the realization of the potential of household lands.

The President always emphasizes the need to begin national programs with the most difficult areas in order, first of all, to improve conditions on the ground, to alleviate the hardships of the people, and at the same time to show in practice what can be achieved in such areas.

Saykhunabad is one such area. 60 percent of the local budget is provided by higher budgets. Entrepreneurship development lags behind other regions. There are 2 thousand 400 unemployed in the region. The poverty rate here is higher than the national average.

6 thousand 672 people live in Ittifok mahalla. There are three schools, three kindergartens, a clinic, dozens of enterprises and farms. But this is not enough to ensure full employment. More than a hundred able-bodied people are unemployed. There are those who work abroad, there are people with disabilities who want to work. Last year, to attract the population to entrepreneurship, loans were allocated for 140 projects. 137 citizens were allocated long-term land plots for farming.

In reality, residents do not need the allocation of additional land plots. Since Saykhunabad is one of 26 districts where one family has an average of 20 acres of household plots. However, they are not used to their full potential. The main crops grown on such lands are alfalfa and corn.

In particular, in the Ittifok mahalla, the total area of household plots is 185 hectares. Thanks to Syrdarya River flowing through the area, there is plenty of water. But the volume of production of valuable products and, accordingly, the welfare of households remains at a low level. In particular, the income from a 6-acre plot of land in the Fergana Valley is several times higher than the productivity of a much larger plot here.

Therefore, it was decided to turn Saykhunabad into a model of full-scale use of the capabilities of household plots and households. The decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 5 March 2024 “On measures to support production in households using the industrial method and the use of new reserves in household plots and dehkan farms” identifies great opportunities for this. In particular, in 2024, it is planned to create exemplary training and experimental sites in 54 districts for planting export-oriented and highly profitable crops, increasing the knowledge and skills of the population in this area.

Such exemplary household plots were also created in the Ittifok mahalla. The head of state visited these households.

For example, on 14 acres of Risolat Gulomova’s personal plot, carrots, garlic, and onions were still grown, but only thirty percent of the land was used.

With the help of the khokimiyat and responsible organizations, apple and grape seedlings were planted in the garden, and various vegetables were planted between them. In addition, the breeding of chickens, rabbits, bees and dairy cows was organized.

Today in our country the construction of greenhouses that operate without the use of fuel is gaining popularity. The head of state approved this experience and pointed out the need to scale it up and provide farmers with such greenhouses in ready-made form. A greenhouse with an area of two hundred square meters was also built in Risolat-aya’s house. 30 lemon trees are planted in it, and tomatoes and strawberries are planted between the rows.

The President talked here with the owners of personal plots and mahalla activists.

- We organize all the work in the mahalla so that our people feel the changes taking place. Now we will direct all the capabilities of government institutions to every street, to every home. For example, a bank assigned to a mahalla, along with providing funds, will change the way people approach their farming. Our goal is to increase the income of the people and make them more prosperous. Of course it won’t be easy. It’s hard work, continuous search, always new ideas. But it can be done. The only criterion is that the economic complex must live by the concerns of the people,” the President said.

Representatives of the mahalla reported that residents of the mahalla and the entire Saykhunabad are showing great interest in the widespread use of subsidiary plots. Those in charge promised to expand this experience, help owners of personal plots and turn the mahalla into an area without unemployment.

Here the President answered questions from media representatives. At this point, the head of state completed his trip and returned to Tashkent.