Agricultural reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan are attracting growing attention from foreign investors. During an interview with Tolib Berdiyev, head of the Soil Science and Agrochemical Research Institute, the future of this sector, as well as scientific solutions to existing problems, were discussed.
The interest of foreign investors in Uzbekistan's land resources is increasing due to systemic economic transformations, favorable natural and climatic conditions, and high export potential. Improvements in land relations and the investment climate have increased the attractiveness of the industry. Growing vegetables and fruits with high added value, product processing, and their placement on external markets are particularly promising for investors. Attracting foreign capital contributes to the introduction of modern technologies, innovative irrigation systems, and digital solutions, which increases yields.
According to scientists, this policy must be harmoniously combined with soil protection and the restoration of degraded lands. Changes in land legislation and the reduction of bureaucracy have significantly accelerated project implementation timelines for investors. Investors can now access information about plots through open electronic platforms, participate in tenders transparently, and quickly obtain land use rights, which reduces risks. Nevertheless, it is important to maintain state control over the rational use of water and soil fertility alongside liberalization.
The country's lands possess high production potential; however, there is a risk of declining fertility due to climate change, water scarcity, and anthropogenic factors. Scientific analysis shows that about 40-45% of irrigated lands have varying degrees of salinization, and on 69% of the territory, humus content is below 1%. Therefore, a priority task is strengthening agrochemical monitoring, implementing water-saving technologies, and restoring degraded lands.
Nearly 90% of Uzbekistan's water resources are used in agriculture. With traditional irrigation, 35-40% of water is wasted. In this regard, investors are actively implementing drip and sprinkler irrigation, as well as fertigation—the application of fertilizers along with water, using automated systems. These technologies help reduce water consumption and ensure stable harvests. Specialists recommend designing such systems taking into account soil characteristics and salinity levels.
To support exports and attract investors, participants in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) are provided with systemic tax relief on profit, property, land, and water. According to recent tax reforms, incentives are provided not through complete tax exemption but through mechanisms such as accelerated depreciation and other modern stimuli. Regarding chemical agents (pesticides), more than 30-40% of global crops are protected by these agents, which are used in volumes exceeding 4 million tons annually. However, only 1-5% of the preparation affects pests, while the rest enters the environment. Chemical substances weaken beneficial microbial activity in the soil and the activity of earthworms, hindering the process of humus formation. As a result, soil fertility declines, and there is a threat of toxic substances entering groundwater and the food chain.
In recent years, there has been an increase in pest populations and the appearance of new species. Approximately 40% of global crops perish due to pests or diseases. This process is linked to climate change and the expansion of international trade. Warmer winters and longer growing seasons increase the frequency of overwintering and the number of insect generations. New invasive species enter the local climate through cross-border transport, seeds, and seedlings. Scientists believe that chemical preparations should only be used as a last resort, and biological control methods must be expanded.
The main reason for frequent droughts in the country is global climate change, leading to a decrease in water availability. Agriculture accounts for 24-28% of Uzbekistan's gross domestic product. Experts warn that without urgent measures, the country's economy could lose 10% by 2050 due to climatic factors. To solve this problem, it is necessary to improve the soil's ability to retain moisture, increase organic matter, and apply climate-adapted agricultural technologies.
Investor activities lead to the creation of new jobs in rural areas, increased labor productivity, and the development of modern logistics and export chains. It is important to remember that real effectiveness depends on the quality of the projects. If a project is aimed at protecting water and land resources, preserving soil fertility, and is based on scientifically sound technologies, it brings both economic benefits and ensures environmental sustainability, thereby improving the welfare of the population.
Every resident of the country, observing the pace of development and modernization, deeply understands one truth: every reform, adopted decree, or decision is aimed primarily at improving people's well-being and easing their daily concerns. These are not just nice words, as the principle of 'Human Dignity' (Inson qadri uchun), put forward by the head of state, has become the basis for practical work.
Since human dignity, joy, care, and aspirations are manifested in the place of residence, the mahalla is a unique entity with a thousand-year history, serving as a place of generosity, fellowship, and mutual assistance. A recent video selective meeting chaired by the President, dedicated to introducing a new approach to the mahalla and updating the activities of 'mahalla yettiligi,' marked another major step toward transforming this historical place into a modern and effective management system.
In recent years, there has been an unprecedented allocation of financial resources to strengthen the mahalla institution and transform it into genuine local self-government bodies. This year, an average of 250 billion soums was directed to the districts, and 5.5 billion soums to each mahalla to improve infrastructure and create proper conditions for residents and entrepreneurs. This indicates the high attention and trust of the state in this area.
Furthermore, the powers of district heads and mahalla leaders have been expanded, leading to a twofold increase in additional income in the region. According to statistical data, an average of 22 billion soums in additional funding was formed in the districts, of which the mahallas directly received an average of 150–200 million soums into their own budget.
However, studies show that despite the wide opportunities provided, problems are not being resolved promptly due to negligence and the lack of necessary organizational structure in some places. For example, this year, over 200 appeals were received through the Halk reception centers from each of the 87 mahallas, indicating a superficial attitude of local leaders towards their duties.
The situation with the 'Initiative Budget' program was also severely criticized: despite the allocation of a huge sum of 7.5 trillion soums, no project was selected among the 2136 mahallas. Meanwhile, although banks launched 110 thousand micro-projects worth 18.5 trillion soums over 6 months, providing jobs for 259 thousand people, only two projects were implemented in 47 mahallas.
A recently signed Presidential decree, 'On Additional Measures for Effective Mahalla Management,' aims to fundamentally reform mahalla governance and elevate it to a new level. According to this decree, the mahalla leader ceases to be merely an observer documenting social problems in their district but becomes a true 'economic client' and the absolute manager of their territory.
Under the new system, mahalla leaders receive broad powers as de facto managers of their district: they formulate projects to solve socio-economic problems, assign tasks to relevant departments, directly put vacant plots up for auction for private objects, and demand compliance with the plans of 'mahalla yettiligi' employees. Additionally, a grant of 10 million soums is provided for each project from a total fund of 240 billion soums to support initiatives aimed at increasing household income and improving the territory.
To systematically and scientifically organize the activities of 'mahalla yettiligi,' enhance qualifications, and find modern solutions to problems, the National Institute for Mahalla Development is being established. This institute will become a true school of mastery and knowledge for 'yettiligi' employees. In the field of entrepreneurship development and increasing household income, the role and approach of mahalla bankers are changing radically. Now, one mahalla banker unites several mahallas. They do not just issue loans; they determine the region's 'growth point,' find entrepreneurs, and increase the number of profitable projects.
The mahalla banker interacts with local entrepreneurs, determines the need for free jobs and professions, and then instructs employment departments to train the unemployed and employ them according to this direction. Special importance is given to an additional preferential resource of 2 trillion soums to support family entrepreneurship, as well as reducing the interest rate on loans for 'difficult' mahallas from 17.5% to 12%. This creates great opportunities for citizens to implement entrepreneurial initiatives.
To ensure the financial independence of the mahalla, 5% of the land and property tax collected from non-productive assets is directly distributed to the mahalla itself, leaving an additional 400 billion soums annually. It is planned that 200 mahallas that achieve the highest indicators in entrepreneurship development and employment will be awarded 2 billion soums, and the total mahalla budget will increase to 1.6 trillion soums this year and to 2 trillion soums from next year.
Overall, these reforms are evident in the lives of ordinary people, where daily problems are solved quickly and purposefully within the mahalla, rather than remaining insurmountable for higher authorities. Preferential loans for family businesses and the integration of professional training systems right to the doorstep provide a stable source of income for citizens, especially women and youth. Strengthening the mahalla budget and the 'Initiative Budget' capability allows for the development of infrastructural issues, such as roads, water supply, and sports grounds, directly based on public requests. Most importantly, the transparent presentation of social benefits and public services at the mahalla level reduces bureaucracy and strengthens citizens' trust in the state and the future.
In response to such a large resource and trust from every local leader, high responsibility and dedication are required, as the success of all ongoing reforms and the satisfaction of people are reflected first and foremost in changes within the mahalla.
During an expanded meeting held in the Zhizhkha region, special attention was paid to the issue that the main criterion for evaluation should be public consent, not reporting. Although figures in reports may look attractive, creating the impression of timely completion of all tasks, the mere fact of recording completion in documents has no value if no changes occur in people's lives.
At the meeting chaired by the head of the region, Ulugbek Mustafayev, topics such as ensuring executive discipline, critical analysis of the fulfillment of Presidential and government assignments, and strengthening the personal responsibility of leaders were discussed. Deputy heads of the region, mayors, heads of district administrations, as well as heads of regional organizations and institutions participated in the event.
It was re-emphasized that executive discipline in state governance is not just a formality but a crucial factor in strengthening public trust. Since decisions made by the President and the Government must primarily serve to ensure the interests of the people, the development of territories, and the improvement of citizens' quality of life, every assignment must find its embodiment not only on paper but also in practice.
Regular monitoring of the fulfillment of assignments given by the head of state, the Presidential Administration, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the head of the region was carried out during the first half of the current year. During this period, only one delay in fulfilling an assignment was recorded, which on the one hand looks like a positive indicator. However, the meeting included an analysis of the real state of affairs behind these figures.
It turned out that even if some assignments are marked as 'completed' in information systems, the expected result by the population has not yet been felt locally. Thus, there is still a certain gap between entries in electronic systems and people's daily lives. The main task now is to eliminate this difference. From now on, all executive documentation will be evaluated not by the report, but by what changes have occurred in people's lives, by citizen consent, and by factual effectiveness.
The meeting also provided a detailed analysis of the implementation of five important documents aimed at the comprehensive development of the Zhizhkha region over the past two years. Of the 294 assignments stipulated in these documents, 125 had their execution deadlines met. However, only 42 of them were fully completed. Furthermore, 78 assignments whose deadlines have expired remain in the 'in progress' status, and another 5 assignments have not been completed at all. Do these figures not indicate the need for a serious revision of the working style of some leaders?
Analyses clearly showed that problems persist in key areas such as construction, agriculture, investment, social sphere, and tourism. Insufficient levels of responsibility were sharply criticized regarding the repair of some infrastructure facilities, failure to meet deadlines for land development work, implementation of fish farming projects, investment programs, and renovation works.
During the President's visit, the efficiency of cooperation with ministries, departments, and commercial banks gathered in cities and districts was also discussed. Leaders were given the condition to use all opportunities, actively implement large investment projects, and most importantly, show the results of these projects in people's lives.
It was noted that from now on, the fulfillment of each assignment will be studied not based on data from offices, but directly on site. Which facilities have been handed over for use? What problem has been solved? In which district have people felt these changes? This is what will form the basis of the main assessment of a leader's activities.
Following the meeting, clear tasks were assigned to all leaders to fundamentally change their working style, strengthen executive discipline, and ensure the full and high-quality completion of every assignment. Additionally, it was set the task to ensure the fulfillment of assignments related to the competence of the Zhizhkha Regional Administration according to the approved schedule in July, as well as to achieve high monthly fulfillment indicators.
The most important conclusion of the meeting was this: the true evaluation of a leader lies not in the figures of reports, but in the changes in people's lives. If a citizen has found a solution to their problem and gained confidence in tomorrow, this is the most honest indicator of executive discipline. Because only where public consent is ensured do reforms yield their true returns.
The statute of limitations is defined as the period established by law for protecting human rights through the court. However, there are certain requirements that are not limited by the statute of limitations, allowing one to appeal to the court at any time.
According to Imomali Tuev, an employee of Tashkent State Law University, the requirements that are not subject to the statute of limitations include the protection of personal property rights and intangible assets. These include honor, dignity, privacy, as well as name and surname.
A citizen's right to demand the return of their own funds from bank deposits or receive compensation from a deposit guarantee agency is not dependent on time. Furthermore, in case of harm to a citizen's health or life, even if the appeal to the court is delayed, compensation will be paid for the last three years.
If material damage is caused as a result of a crime, the person affected by the crime can appeal to the court regardless of how much time has passed. Also, the statute of limitations is not limited for claims to terminate any violations of the rights of an owner or another holder, even if these violations are not related to the deprivation of ownership (according to Article 231 of this Code). The statute of limitations also does not apply to the return of objects of historical and cultural heritage, as well as to the return of national wealth exported from the country before gaining independence, such as artifacts, works of art, and ancient items.
The author emphasizes that the passage of time does not mean the loss of rights. If the issue falls into the categories mentioned above, it should be considered that the possibility of protecting one's rights remains, despite the expiration of the statute of limitations. The basis for these provisions is Article 163 of the Civil Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
