Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan has signed an agreement with China for the production of agricultural machinery worth US$10 million, according to the National Center for Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation under the Ministry of Agriculture.

A delegation led by the center’s director, Shukhrat Otajonov, held several meetings with Chinese partners.

A key event was the signing of an agreement between the Uzbek research institutes for the mechanization of agriculture and for the breeding, seed production, and agro-technologies of cotton cultivation, as well as the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanization (CAAMS).

Under the terms of the agreement, plans are underway to establish the largest assembly plant for agricultural machinery in Central Asia, which will provide farmers with modern equipment and reduce dependence on imports.

In addition, the delegation visited the Institute of Agricultural Research in Zhengzhou and discussed cooperation with the National Support Laboratory for Cotton in China.

The parties agreed to conduct joint research on the development of hybrid cotton varieties containing Bt genes that are resistant to pests.