Uzbekistan to Expand Fish Farming and Build Lemon Greenhouses

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan plans to expand intensive fish farming and build energy-efficient greenhouses for lemon cultivation under projects aimed at increasing agricultural production, creating jobs and raising the incomes of low-income families.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the plans, which include increasing fish production through intensive farming technologies and developing greenhouse complexes for lemon cultivation.

The fisheries sector has been tasked with increasing annual fish production to 1 million tonnes through the introduction of intensive technologies. Balykchi District was presented as one example, with plans to use the potential of land reclamation wells to establish fish farms.

Production complexes covering the entire supply chain are planned around 24 wells, from supplying fingerlings and feed to fish farming, processing, storage and sales. Each project will occupy 50 sotkas of land, equivalent to 0.5 hectares. Each site is expected to produce at least 30 tonnes of trout annually and create 10 jobs.

The creation of a fish-farming holding company has been proposed to coordinate the projects within a unified system.

The experience of Balykchi District is expected to be extended to other regions following an inventory of more than 4,000 land reclamation wells across the country. The inventory must be completed by March 1, 2027. Wells suitable for fish farming are planned to be transferred to experienced entrepreneurs under public-private partnership arrangements.

The presentation also covered projects to breed and process cold-water fish in Khanabad and develop fish farming using water bodies in Ulugnor District.

Plans to expand lemon cultivation

A separate part of the presentation focused on lemon cultivation. In Balykchi District, energy-efficient greenhouses covering a total of 100 hectares are planned near nine mahallas. Entrepreneurs are expected to receive the facilities fully equipped and ready for operation.

The project envisages an integrated cooperative production chain covering lemon cultivation, sorting, processing, packaging, storage and sales.

Particular attention will be paid to employing unemployed people and supporting low-income families. Preliminary estimates suggest that at least 1,000 local residents could work in 500 greenhouses.

Before the lemon trees begin bearing fruit, additional income is expected to come from growing other agricultural crops between the rows.

Next year, energy-efficient greenhouse complexes covering a total of 200 hectares are planned in other regions of the country, drawing on the experience of Balykchi District. The facilities will be intended for low-income families and unemployed people.

The projects are expected to increase the incomes of 2,000 families.

Following the presentation, Mirziyoyev instructed the responsible agencies to take measures to provide financial support for the initiatives aimed at reducing poverty.

The plans also include compensating the costs of training people in fish farming and lemon cultivation.