A historic milestone: five million tons of cotton, achieved through reform and political will
A new phase has been written in the history of Uzbekistan’s agriculture: the country has achieved an unprecedented milestone, with total cotton production reaching five million tons.
This is a record in the country’s cotton industry. Such a major achievement is no coincidence, but the tangible result of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s firm political will and systematic efforts to fundamentally modernize agriculture.
What reforms have contributed to this success?
The complete elimination of forced labor
The introduction of market principles in agriculture and adequate financial incentives for cotton pickers have fundamentally transformed the approach to labor. This year, 85 percent of the crop was harvested in just about a month, with more than 3,000 cotton harvesters deployed. In Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions, harvesting was fully mechanized.
Efficiency of the cluster system
Establishing a fully integrated production chain, from growing raw cotton to manufacturing finished products, has significantly increased agricultural productivity.
Innovations and water-saving technologies
Drip irrigation, modern technologies, and scientific advances have taken productivity to a new level. The application of scientific research, new biotechnology-based cotton varieties, digital technologies and drones has expanded, while planting patterns have been improved. These modern approaches help increase productivity, use resources more efficiently, and reduce production costs.
A new attitude toward land
Farmers and agricultural producers now have greater incentives to work the land, fostering a genuine sense of ownership. Surpassing the five-million-ton mark is clear evidence that the consistent reforms being implemented in our country are contributing to people’s well-being and strengthening the nation’s economic potential. The dedicated efforts of our hardworking farmers, dehkans and employees of cotton-textile clusters are bearing fruit.
UzA
