Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Today, on 18 March, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Agency for Quarantine and Plant Protection, where he got acquainted with the planned work in this area.

The agency, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture, is a government body in the areas of quarantine and plant protection and agrochemistry. The agency’s scope of activities includes analyzing the composition of soil, fertilizers and agricultural products, combating harmful organisms, preventing their entry into the country and spreading, and ensuring the production of phytosanitarily clean products.

In recent years, 7 new information systems have been introduced in the field and 40 areas have been digitalized. Thanks to the attraction of about US$20 million in grant funds from international organizations and financial institutions, laboratories and equipment were updated. Through stationary and mobile laboratories, soil analysis was carried out on an area of 1 million 40 thousand hectares; on this basis, scientifically based standards for the use of mineral fertilizers were determined, which were integrated into the “uzagrolab.uz” program. Using data and recommendations from this program, farmers have improved the accuracy of their fields and orchards.

Such events play an important role in ensuring the quality and safety of fruits and vegetables. To date, 620 phytosanitary permits have been received for the export of agricultural products to 80 countries. Within the framework of the “GSP+” system, 200 thousand hectares were brought into compliance with international requirements. In 2023, agricultural exports amounted to almost US$2 billion. However, the export potential is much higher.

On 18 January 2024, at a video conference on export and industry issues, measures in the field of vegetable and fruit growing were also identified. In particular, the Agency for Quarantine and Plant Protection was tasked with organizing the cultivation of export crops and searching for new potential markets.

Today’s presentation provides information about current work and plans.

One of the projects is the “Agrokumakchi” mobile application, where you can get useful information about plant protection, services in this area, and export tips.

The Asiaexport.se platform will connect local exporters with foreign buyers. It will contain information not only about fruits and vegetables and dried fruits, but also about juices, household goods, confectionery, textiles, leather and pharmaceutical products.

Information is also provided on the agency’s cooperation within the framework of the international innovative system ePhyto solution, through which phytosanitary certificates are exchanged electronically with 119 countries. This year it is planned to obtain phytosanitary permission to export 24 types of products to eight more countries.

As a result of these decisions, this year it is planned to increase the export of agricultural products to US$3.5 billion.

The head of state emphasized that for this it is necessary to expand the production of export-oriented products and increase the awareness of farmers and farmers.

- There is a legal framework in this area; we have reached agreements with many countries. But exporters are finding it difficult to sell their products. Therefore, it is necessary to create a permanent platform for dialogue with exporters. Khokims need to familiarize exporters with the products grown in the region, and ambassadors with the dynamics of demand and prices in foreign markets, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The President paid special attention to the packaging of fruits and vegetables.

- Packaging must comply with international standards and have a modern design. Then there will be quality, a national brand and the added value will be high. Therefore, it is necessary to teach exporters to pack goods correctly, carefully and beautifully,” the head of state noted.

The importance of systematic work to prevent expired and low-quality products from entering export supplies was emphasized.

- There should also be a cluster system in this area. It is necessary to ensure consistency and high quality at all stages, from training to planting crops, fertilizing, harvesting and sorting,” the President said.

The Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to develop a three-year program to improve this system and systematically organize exports. The importance of expanding international cooperation to target exports to relatively expensive markets was emphasized.

The head of state got acquainted with the agency’s modern laboratory. Instructions were given to increase the scientific potential of the laboratory, master world scientific achievements and quickly implement them in the relevant departments.

The machinery and equipment used in the agrochemical system were also demonstrated here.

It was noted that highly effective entomophages were imported from abroad to combat harmful insects. With the participation of experienced experts, guidelines have been developed for the cultivation, storage, packaging and delivery of each product. 10 mobile laboratories have been created.

This year, 10 more mobile laboratories will be organized in the regions. 6 thousand gardens, more than 3 thousand vineyards and fields, 344 packaging plants will be brought into compliance with international phytosanitary requirements. All processes related to the circulation of pesticides will be digitalized, and the import and illegal trade of low-quality pesticides will be put an end to.

The President gave instructions on improving the skills of specialists in the field and ensuring the availability of the agency’s services to every farmer and owner of a personal plot.