Expansion of lemon cultivation planned in Uzbekistan using energy-saving greenhouses

Uzbekistan intends to increase agricultural production, create jobs, and raise the incomes of low-income families by expanding intensive aquaculture and constructing energy-efficient greenhouses for cultivating lemons.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed these plans, which include increasing fish production through the implementation of intensive aquaculture technologies and developing greenhouse complexes for growing lemons.

The fisheries sector has been tasked with increasing the annual fish production volume to one million tons by applying intensive technologies. The Balykchi district was presented as an example, where the potential of wells will be used to drain land for creating fish farms.

It is planned to create production complexes covering the entire supply chain, based around 24 wells. These complexes will cover all stages—from supplying fry and feed to aquaculture, processing, storage, and sales. Each such facility will occupy 50 sotoks of land, equivalent to 0.5 hectares. It is expected that each plot will produce at least 30 tons of trout annually and create 10 jobs.

To coordinate these projects in a unified system, it was proposed to establish a fisheries holding company. The experience gained in the Balykchi district is planned to be extended to other regions after an inventory of more than 4000 wells for land drainage across the country. This inventory must be completed by March 1, 2027. Wells suitable for aquaculture will be transferred to experienced entrepreneurs within the framework of public-private partnerships.

The presentation also highlighted projects on breeding and processing cold-water fish in Khanabad and developing aquaculture using water bodies in Ulugnor district.

A separate part of the presentation was dedicated to lemon cultivation. In the Balykchi district, the construction of energy-efficient greenhouses with a total area of 100 hectares near nine mahallas is planned. Entrepreneurs will receive fully equipped and ready-to-operate facilities.

The project provides for an integrated cooperative production chain that will include growing lemons, sorting, processing, packaging, storage, and sale. Special attention will be paid to employing unemployed citizens and supporting low-income families. Preliminary estimates show that at least 1000 local residents can work in 500 greenhouses.

Before the lemon trees begin to bear fruit, additional income is expected from growing other crops between the rows. Next year, energy-efficient greenhouse complexes with a total area of 200 hectares are planned to be built in other regions of the country, utilizing the experience of the Balykchi district. These facilities are intended for low-income families and unemployed people. The projects are expected to increase the income of 2000 families.

After the presentation, Mirziyoyev instructed relevant agencies to take measures to provide financial support for initiatives aimed at reducing poverty. The plans also include compensating for training costs for people in aquaculture and lemon cultivation.

Innovative startup parks are planned for creation in various regions of Uzbekistan. These venues are intended for entrepreneurs, allowing them to develop their projects, integrate scientific developments, and bring new products to the market.

The activities of the new centers will be carried out under the auspices of the Agency for Innovation Development of the Ministry of Education and Science. Startups located in the parks will receive comprehensive support, including access to necessary infrastructure, legal and financial resources, as well as marketing consultations.

The main focus will be on incubation and acceleration programs, whose goal is to transform promising concepts into full-fledged commercial enterprises. Furthermore, the parks will facilitate the process of product certification and registration, ensure intellectual property protection, and assist in promoting goods both domestically and internationally. Entrepreneurs will also be able to participate in exhibitions held both within and outside Uzbekistan.

The determination of locations for these parks has been entrusted to the hokimiyats of Karakalpakstan, the regions, and the capital itself. It is planned that production premises will be leased through electronic auctions. The financial base for this project will be formed from rental income, grants, and other legal sources.

It was previously announced that specialized spin-off companies can be established in state technical schools of Uzbekistan for the commercialization and launch of promising ideas developed by students. For the implementation of one such startup, there is the possibility of receiving a grant of up to 1 billion soms.