In the pond agroclusters specializing in fish farming in the Chirchik district, scientists from the Institute of Scientific Research in Aquaculture have launched the cultivation of sholi on the water surface for the first time.
Significance of Sholi Cultivation
Sholi is a staple food for more than half of the world's population. Given the growing population, shrinking agricultural land, and climate change, increasing the efficiency of sholi cultivation has become strategically important.
Currently, to fully meet the republic's demand for rice, the sholi harvest needs to increase by more than 1 million tons per year. Achieving this goal requires new innovative agricultural technologies in this field. Therefore, scientists studied foreign experience and introduced sholi cultivation on the water surface for the first time.
Methodology and Experimental Results
Seeds planted in special nets are placed in fish farming ponds. Although the fish do not receive feed, they develop well. Only wild ducks feed in the same area.
The best yield was obtained from early plantings of the sholi varieties 'Iskandar' and 'Billur'.
Scientific researcher Mirjalol Akhmatov of the institute reported that experimental work is being conducted on an area of two hectares as part of the 'Floating Sholi' agricultural technology development project. Previously, the team studied the experience of Southeast Asian countries, such as China and Vietnam, as well as the experience of residents along rivers and seas. Based on this experience, they began work in Uzbekistan. The plants were placed in nets with an interval of 15 cm, which were filled with a mixture of soil and biohumus. The crops were planted in the pond, with 2–3 seedlings placed in each net. This study is being conducted over five periods.
This experiment is being carried out not only in the Chirchik district but also in the Yozovon district of Fergana region and the Mingbulok district of Namangan region.
Advantages of the New Technology
Although this is the first such practice in Uzbekistan, there are certain difficulties in cultivating sholi in ponds. Each net requires laborious work to plant seeds or seedlings mixed with biohumus. However, the result is highly effective and relevant. Simultaneously, ecologically clean fish and rice can be grown in the ponds. Furthermore, herbicides against weeds are not used, and the water surface does not overheat, creating a favorable environment for fish development.
Considering the large number of fish ponds in the country, the agrotechnology of cultivating sholi on the water surface is becoming extremely relevant. This technology is in demand by farmers and fish farms because its implementation allows for increased production efficiency in agriculture, ensures food security, and increases export volumes.
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