Introduction of green technologies in greenhouse farming discussed

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on introducing green technologies in greenhouse operations and ensuring their environmentally safe operation.

The presentation began with an analysis of the current state of greenhouse farms in Tashkent and surrounding areas. Last year, a special commission conducted an inventory of greenhouses and assisted some farms in switching to environmentally friendly energy sources. However, some facilities still use coal.

During autumn and winter, weaker winds and temperature inversions can cause emissions from greenhouse operations to accumulate in the capital and surrounding areas.

In this regard, a special environmental regime based on green technologies has been proposed for greenhouse farms in Tashkent and five adjacent districts. Permitted heating sources will include natural gas, electricity, geothermal and solar energy, as well as waste heat from thermal power plants. Burning tires, plastics, bitumen, fuel oil, used oils, and waste will be prohibited.

Greenhouses operating on solid fuels have been instructed to switch to the specified energy sources by December 1 of this year. The use of solid fuels may be permitted only for farms that meet strict technical requirements: fuel must be stored in enclosed facilities, automated boilers, effective dust and gas filtration equipment and a backup generator must be installed, safe collection of ash and slag must be ensured, and chimney heights must comply with established standards.

From October 15 of this year to March 15 of next year, greenhouse farms will be subject to continuous environmental monitoring. This will include checks on the operation of dust and gas filtration equipment, atmospheric emissions and compliance with requirements for the types of fuel used. Data from measuring instruments and video surveillance systems will be transmitted in real time to the National Committee on Ecology’s information system. Drones will also be deployed, and members of the public will participate in monitoring.

If dust and gas filtration equipment is absent, emissions exceed established limits, or prohibited fuels are used, enforcement measures will be taken in accordance with established procedures. Greenhouse operations will be suspended if necessary.

Financial support measures have been developed to help greenhouse farms adapt to the new requirements. It has been proposed to provide subsidies of up to 50 million UZS per hectare for installing environmentally friendly and energy-efficient equipment, as well as concessional loans of up to 3 billion UZS for a seven-year term. Measures are also planned to reduce the costs of purchasing and installing environmental monitoring equipment.

Separate proposals have been prepared to support the modernization of household greenhouses.

In particular, it is proposed to reduce land and property taxes by 50 percent until 2030, grant exemptions from turnover tax, and compensate for half of the electricity costs incurred by energy-saving systems. The provision of grants of up to 100 million UZS to households in Tashkent and surrounding areas for the adoption of green energy sources and the installation of efficient equipment was also discussed. Concessional loans of up to 300 million UZS are envisaged for constructing new greenhouses, and up to 150 million UZS for modernizing existing ones. The plan also includes establishing environmentally friendly greenhouses for low-income families in 50 mahallas specializing in greenhouse farming.

The issue of collecting, treating and reusing contaminated drainage and seepage water generated by greenhouse farms was also addressed. To this end, it was proposed to establish a specialized operator and develop the necessary infrastructure in Akhangaran district.

Opportunities for developing modern greenhouse farming in regions with favorable climatic conditions were also presented. A total of 940 hectares of land has been allocated for the Surkhan-Agro Free Economic Zone in Sherabad district, and a master plan has been developed. It was proposed to construct greenhouses and agricultural logistics facilities within the zone, including relocating greenhouses currently held on banks’ balance sheets to the area.

Investors operating in the zone have been granted a zero land rental rate for five years, along with three-year concessions on sewerage charges and groundwater use fees. In addition, it was proposed to auction land plots at a starting price of 10 percent of their assessed value, with the rate reduced to 1 percent for projects worth more than $10 million and for entrepreneurs relocating their greenhouse operations from Tashkent and Tashkent region.

The proposal also considered exempting zone participants from land, property, and corporate income taxes for five years, as well as exempting imported greenhouse equipment from customs duties. The plan is to build greenhouses and agricultural logistics facilities on 400 hectares and offer them for sale to investors as ready-to-implement projects. Instructions were given to allocate 220 billion UZS for infrastructure development and 200 billion UZS for project financing, and to attract $100 million in investment to the zone in 2027.

Officials were instructed to prepare a digital map showing the locations of greenhouses, energy supply sources and volumes. In addition, measures will be developed to expand opportunities for marketing greenhouse products in domestic and international markets.

UzA