Uzbekistan implements regenerative agriculture methods within the FOLUR project

The Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan announced the start of implementing international methods for cultivating large-fruited pumpkins and establishing primary seed production.

A practical seminar on this topic was held at the station of the Research Institute of Vegetable Farming, Land Reclamation, and Potato Farming in the Khanka district, Khorezm region. The event was attended by international expert Alan Walters, specialists from the research institute, the regional Agroservices Center, and the regional AKIS, as well as heads of farms specializing in crop production and animal husbandry.

Participants reviewed modern agricultural technologies for growing large-fruited pumpkin varieties, crop care methods, preparation of high-quality seed material, and organization of primary seed production. Special attention was paid to increasing yield and adapting international experience to local conditions.

The institute in the Khanka district is also conducting practical experiments on growing large-fruited pumpkins in cooperation with scientists from the USA.

This year, 600 kg of seeds for large-fruited pumpkin varieties Big Max, Atlantic Giant, and Mammoth Gold were imported into Uzbekistan from Italy. These seeds were distributed across the country's regions for further implementation.

According to estimates, the plantings will cover a total area of 150 hectares. The average expected yield is up to 500 centners, or 50 tons, per hectare. As a result, about 75,000 centners, equivalent to 7,500 tons of large-fruited pumpkins, are expected to be harvested by the end of the season. The Ministry of Agriculture reported that initial observations show promising yields, as the planted crops are currently maturing in the fields.

Uzbekistan and Georgia held their first meeting of the Working Group on Agricultural Issues via video conference to discuss new directions for joint cooperation in the agrarian sphere.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, as well as specialists from relevant scientific research institutions, according to the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan.

The main focus of the participants was on exchanging experience in the field of animal husbandry. The parties discussed the development of this sector, the interaction between scientific research and practical application, and the introduction of advanced methods into production processes.

Furthermore, the topic of creating and cultivating olive groves was raised. Georgia's experience, modern agrotechnologies, and approaches to creating such plantations were reviewed, as were the prospects for developing scientific methods in horticulture, vegetable farming, and gardening.

At the end of the meeting, the participants emphasized the need for continuous development of mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthening existing ties, and implementing new joint projects in the agricultural sector.

Uzbekistan and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) plan to deepen practical interaction in the fields of viticulture and pistachio cultivation.

Discussions on this cooperation took place during a working trip of an Uzbek delegation to the United States. The parties met to focus on testing promising planting material adapted to Uzbekistan's conditions, its subsequent propagation in the country, and the development of scientific and practical partnerships.

Pistachio Cooperation Details

Specifically, regarding pistachio cultivation, the possibility of introducing the UCB-1 rootstock was discussed, which is considered promising for local conditions. Participants examined the potential of importing seed material into Uzbekistan for testing, followed by establishing an internal seed breeding system based on parent lines.

Viticulture Issues

Viticulture was another topic of discussion. Participants considered the option of importing and testing modern grape rootstocks developed for various soil and climatic conditions. These materials possess resistance to drought, salinity, nematodes, and diseases.

Furthermore, the parties discussed the possibility of direct propagation of promising material in Uzbekistan before applying it in agriculture. The prospect of testing next-generation rootstocks from the UCD GRN series, created by UC Davis scientists, in different regions of the country was also considered.

At the conclusion of the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue practical cooperation. This will include the import of promising planting material into Uzbekistan, its testing under local conditions, and subsequent propagation.