Measures outlined to develop intensive fish farming and energy-efficient lemon cultivation

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on accelerating intensive fish farming projects and developing energy-efficient greenhouses for lemon cultivation.

The fish farming sector has been tasked with expanding production through intensive technologies and reaching an annual output of 1 million tons. During the presentation, plans to utilize the potential of drainage wells to achieve this target were reviewed, using Baliqchi district as an example.

Intensive fish farming complexes covering the entire production cycle, from the supply of fry and feed to fish farming, processing, storage and sale, are planned to be established around 24 wells in the district. Each project, covering 50 acres, is expected to produce at least 30 tons of trout annually and create 10 jobs.

Officials proposed establishing a fish farming holding company to ensure unified management of the projects.

To replicate the Baliqchi experience in other regions, the President instructed officials to inventory more than 4,000 drainage wells across the country by March 1, 2027. Wells suitable for fish farming will be transferred to experienced entrepreneurs for management under public-private partnership arrangements.

Plans were also presented to develop cold-water fish farming and processing projects in Khanabad and reservoir-based fish farming in Ulugnor.

The second part of the presentation focused on developing lemon cultivation, also using Baliqchi district as an example. Energy-efficient greenhouses covering 100 hectares are planned near nine mahallas and will be provided to entrepreneurs on a turnkey basis. All stages of production, from growing lemons to sorting, processing, packaging, storage and sale, will be integrated into a single production chain.

Particular attention was paid to involving unemployed and low-income families in the project. According to preliminary estimates, at least 1,000 residents will be employed in 500 greenhouses. Until the lemon trees begin bearing fruit, additional income can be generated by growing other agricultural crops between the rows.

Based on the Baliqchi experience, energy-efficient greenhouse complexes covering a total of 200 hectares are planned to be developed in the regions next year for low-income families and unemployed people. The projects are expected to increase the incomes of 2,000 families.

Following the presentation, the President instructed responsible officials to provide financial support for the presented projects aimed at reducing poverty and to compensate for the costs of training people in fish farming and lemon cultivation.

UzA