The decision was made during an online meeting with the participation of the Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation. The harvest obtained from the land is planned to be exported to Uzbekistan. 

It is not yet known what specific land will be leased, however, it is assumed that it may be the territories of Orenburg, Chelyabinsk and Omsk Oblasts along the border with Kazakhstan.

Konstantin Babkin, Chairman of the Council of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Industrial Development and Competitiveness of the Russian Economy, Head of the Rosspetsmash Association, commenting on the situation, noted that Uzbekistan is taking advantage of opportunities that Russia is missing. Even with modern technologies, Russia leaves quality land ownerless. 

“Empty agricultural land in the modern world is abnormal, somewhere even immoral,” the expert says. 

Analyzing the decision of the Agriculture Ministry to transfer land, Konstantin Babkin put forward three critical theses: “First, the problem of unemployment in the fields is not that local residents simply do not want to work, but working conditions in agriculture are very difficult. It is not necessary to lease land to another state, it is enough to make some changes in tax, price, credit policy; secondly, the support of large agricultural holdings leads to the displacement of medium and small farms, encouraging local residents to abandon the idea of farming”. 

“Agricultural policy aimed at suppressing small ones and stimulating large ones is unproductive in the long term,” the expert believes.

Thirdly, according to the entrepreneur, the settlement of leased land by foreigners will have a negative impact on the political climate in the regions; conflicts will arise between visitors and locals. 

The expert drew attention to the fact that agriculture in Russia is a promising area that cannot develop without a reasonable industrial policy.

“The displacement of millions of people does not benefit either Russia or Uzbekistan,” Konstantin Babkin stressed.