Fruit exports in Karakalpakstan will be increased to 500 million dollars

Fruit exports in Karakalpakstan to reach $500 million

A three-year program will be implemented in Karakalpakstan to establish salt-tolerant plum and late apricot plantations on 30,000 hectares. This was announced at a meeting chaired by the President in the city of Nukus.

The head of state noted that he had reviewed an industrial orchard being established on 330 hectares of saline land in Kegeyli. Work on 10,000 hectares under the new program will begin this year.

Regional governors have been designated responsible for establishing orchards of 500 and 1,000 hectares. Land specialists and farmers from Andijan have already arrived and started work in Kegeyli.

Trilateral agreements will be signed between the Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan, regional governors, and the Horticulture Agency. Within two weeks, land will be allocated for each region, and a guaranteed water supply will be established. The Agency will provide climate-appropriate seedling varieties and planting technologies by October 1.

Regional governors will involve master farmers and agronomists and build housing for them. Orchards of 50 hectares in each area will be established this year, and on the remaining areas in spring. Processing capacities will also be set up on-site.

The task was set to employ 20,000 people in horticulture and to bring fruit exports to at least $500 million within three years.

Starting next spring, melon cultivation will begin on 10,000 hectares in the Nukus district.

An instruction was given to bring the best melon varieties, seed production, and agrotechnology specialists from Spain, the USA, the Netherlands, and China by the end of the year.

By attracting potential investors, a holding company engaged in processing and exporting melons will be established on-site.

The technical school in the Nukus district will be adapted for melon growing and equipped with a laboratory and a testing ground.

This institution will serve as a methodological center for experience exchange for melon growers in Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, and Syrdarya.