Uzbekistan, Italy to Launch In-Vitro Seedling Lab

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A meeting was held in Baku during the international agricultural exhibition Caspian Agro Week–2026 between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Agriculture Ibrahim Abdurakhmanov and Vitroplant Italia SRL Chief Executive Officer Gerardo Grilli.

The talks focused on expanding cooperation in horticulture and introducing modern agricultural technologies.

During the discussions, the parties reviewed prospects for the production and supply of virus-free fruit tree seedlings cultivated using in-vitro technology.

The Uzbek side noted that the country has more than 400,000 hectares of orchards, a significant share of which requires renewal and reconstruction. In this regard, the development of intensive horticulture using modern high-yield technologies was identified as a priority.

Plans were also presented to establish a 200-hectare demonstration orchard in Ferghana region using European varieties. The parties further discussed the creation of an in-vitro laboratory and the development of modern nursery infrastructure.

Italian company Vitroplant Italia SRL, which specializes in fruit tree seedlings and operates one of Europe’s largest in-vitro laboratories, expressed readiness to supply certified planting materials and transfer advanced industry technologies.

Following the talks, Uzbekistan’s Agency for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex and Vitroplant Italia SRL reached an agreement to establish an in-vitro laboratory in Tashkent region. The facility is expected to have an annual production capacity of up to 8 million seedlings.

According to agency head Nurali Abdullayev, the project and commissioning of the laboratory are planned within six months. The parties also discussed intellectual property protection, licensing, and the implementation of future joint projects.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants confirmed their intention to move cooperation into the practical stage and continue work on specific investment and technological initiatives.