Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 15-16 September 2023, the International Festival of Grapes and Winemaking was held in Parkent district of Tashkent region.

Based on the decree of the President of the country Shavkat Mirziyoyev from 3 August 2023 “On measures for the further development of viticulture and winemaking in 2023 - 2026,” the International Festival of Grapes and Winemaking was held on 15-16 September 2023 in the village of Zarkent, Parkent district.

The main goal of the festival is to demonstrate the tourism potential of our country, ensure a worthy place in the world market for the brand of national products, widely promote the ancient experience of viticulture and winemaking, as well as valuable varieties of culture. Within the framework of the festival, scientific and practical seminars will be organized with the participation of leading experts, republican competitions, exhibitions of handicrafts, national dishes, clothing and other cultural events.

The event included scientific and practical events, master classes on the development of viticulture, and a premiere screening of the documentary film “Tuganmas Khazina” (An inexhaustible treasure dedicated to the life and work of the famous breeder, Hero of Uzbekistan Tozhiboy Rizaev.

The event participants were presented with interesting concert programs, performances by cultural and artistic figures, poets and writers, as well as ethnographic ensembles and amateur performance groups.

There were also wine tasting and auctions. Guests got acquainted with the types of products on display and appreciate them; the opening of the festival and concert programs will take place.

Representatives of the diplomatic corps, prestigious international organizations and more than 30 of the world’s leading wine producers came to the festival. Among them is the head of the Association of Italian Winemakers, Leonardo Commucci, a famous wine entrepreneur from Serbia.

Farms, wineries, producers of popular drinks, juices and healthy concentrates from all regions of the country took part in the festival with their products.

During the festival, presentations of business projects took place, experts exchanged opinions and impressions, and business negotiations took place. As a result, mutually beneficial contracts, agreements and agreements were concluded. During the auctions, leading domestic manufacturers presented their products and met foreign colleagues and partners.

Festival participants highly appreciated the performances of folklore and ethnographic ensembles, pop performers, cultural and educational programs that widely advertised national customs and traditions.

The best chefs presented their gourmet dishes, sweets, selected varieties of grape juice and delicious drinks.

History of the development of the viticulture school in Tashkent region, main indicators in the industry.

The history of viticulture in Parkent district is inextricably linked with the name of the famous breeder Tozhivoy Rizaev. A graduate of the Tashkent Agricultural Institute had extensive knowledge and experience in the field of agriculture, viticulture and horticulture. The talented agrarian headed the Zarkent collective farm for many years. In those years, irrigation of the mountainous areas was carried out manually, and technology and irrigation systems were not praised.

Also, the vagaries of nature were not pleasing. Having carefully studied the situation and possibilities, Tozhivoy Rizaev comes to the conclusion that it would be advisable to grow grapes in these areas.

At the first stage, no more than 10 hectares of land were sown with crop seedlings. However, thanks to accurate calculations and the entrepreneurial spirit of the farmer, the results exceeded all expectations. Since 1980, the collective farm has been reaping a rich harvest from 200 hectares of land and making huge profits. In 1991, a grape processing plant was built in the village of Zarkent. 

For many years of work and contribution to the development of viticulture in 2001, the Motherland awarded Tozhiva Rizaev the title of Hero of Uzbekistan.

Currently, almost every family in the village of Zarkent is engaged in growing the oldest high-yielding varieties of the ancient crop. Enterprising people wisely use land and water resources, ensuring prosperity for their families. Today, more than 15 thousand land plots in the Tashkent region are sown with the best vineyard varieties. In 2022, 103 thousand tons (105%) of the crop were harvested. This season it is planned to harvest about 115 thousand tons of grapes (112%). In 2024-2025, grape plantations will be created on another 20 thousand hectares (in 2023 10 thousand 260 hectares and in 2024 – 9 thousand 740 hectares.

The government of the country provides a number of benefits for winegrowers. To finance the creation of modern nurseries, the development of clusters and cooperation ties, and the establishment of processing

About US$100 million is allocated to commercial banks.

  Commercial banks provide for the provision of commercial loans for a period of 10 years (with a five-year grace period) with payments of no more than 2 percent per annum.

Based on the resolution, large-scale work is being carried out to increase productivity and grow new promising varieties of industrial grapes, improve the material and technical base of processing enterprises, train qualified specialists, and increase the volume of exports of grape and wine products. Measures are being taken to develop viticulture as a centuries-old national culture of our people.

Today, in all agricultural enterprises of the region, 18.9 thousand hectares of land are allocated for grape plantations (15.3 thousand hectares are allocated for farms and agricultural enterprises, 3.7 thousand hectares - private land plots), of which 7.6 thousand hectares (40%) are table varieties, 6.5 thousand hectares (34%) of small seedless grapes and 4.9 thousand hectares (26%) of industrial varieties . Based on the resolution, new plantations will be created in eight districts - Bekabad, Parkent, Yangiyul, Zangiata, Akhangaran, Tashkent, Kibray and Urtachirchik districts.

New plantations will be created on 20 thousand hectares of land. 4,970 of them will be created on developed lands, 2,400 hectares will be located along sewers, 270 hectares along railways and roads, 1,650 hectares on the site of ineffective soot, 6,960 hectares on the side of sown areas and 3,750 hectares in private households of citizens. Of these, 10.2 thousand hectares will be sown with seedlings of table grapes, 7.8 thousand hectares with small seedless varieties, 2 thousand hectares with industrial varieties of the crop. Grape plantations will be created on 3,750 hectares of land belonging to 202.7 thousand private households in 284 makhallas in 15 districts of the region. Seedlings of this crop will also be sown on 22 thousand hectares of 5,650 farms.

As a result of the implementation of the above measures, the total area of vine plantations in the Tashkent region will reach 38 thousand hectares. Productivity will increase three times and amount to 500 thousand hectares. Of this, 270 thousand tons will be exported, which will provide employment for at least 100 thousand people.