“Some regional leaders do not know how to use the available opportunities effectively. For example, in Besharik, 234 quintals of potatoes were grown per hectare, in Taylak – only 146 quintals. The yield of melons is 157 quintals in Besharik and 76 quintals in Taylak. However, the potential of Taylak district in the cultivation of agricultural products is much higher than in Besharik district,” Kun.uz correspondent quoted the President as saying.

According to a World Bank analysis, 900,000 new jobs could be created for the rural population by increasing cotton and grain yields by an average of 3%.

Shukhrat Ganiyev and regional khokims will report on how they are organizing work to grow 3.5 million tons of cotton this year, increasing cotton yield by more than 5 quintals per hectare.

“Regional khokims need to understand one thing. The country’s population is growing by more than 600,000 every year, but food production is failing to meet the growing demand. As a result, imports of basic foodstuffs are increasing,” the head of state said.

In particular, imports of beef (up to 22 thousand tons by 2020), chicken (from 12 thousand tons to 31 thousand tons), potatoes (from 215 thousand tons to 435 thousand tons), vegetable oil (from 100 thousand tons to 210 thousand tons) increased.