Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Under JICA’s US$200 million Horticulture promotion loan project, cultivation of Blueberry, known also as “Superfood” for its very valuable nutrition content, will be promoted in Uzbekistan. 

It was presented at the forum Uzbekistan – the new world leader in Blueberry production, organized by Project’s consultant with invitation of experts from Poland. 

Currently, around 10% of the Blueberry available in Uzbekistan is produced locally and 90% is imported. Blueberry cultivation promotion is planned in Ferghana Valley, Tashkent and Surkhandarya provinces. 

The project provides, in addition to extending loans, trainings in Uzbekistan and foreign field visit for Uzbek farmers, including to Poland (one of the leaders of Blueberry supply in Europe), as well as creation of Blueberry demo plots in Uzbekistan. 

According to experts, Blueberry production can bring as much as US$10,000-15,000 revenue per ha, while most agricultural crops’ revenue is limited to US$2,000-3,000 per ha in Uzbekistan. 

Presentations generated high interest among participants, who represented food sector, commercial banks and academicians. 

JICA’s Horticulture project provides for preferential loans to horticultural farmers at CBU’s refinancing rate for max 15 years with grace period of up to 5 years.