A business forum on “Smart Fruit Growing: Innovations and Solutions from the Netherlands” was held in Andijan.

The forum, organized at the initiative of Netherlands Fruit Solutions, was attended by company specialists, officials from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, agricultural producers from Andijan, Namangan, and Fergana regions, representatives of horticultural farms, and officials from the Department of Plant Quarantine and Protection.

Speaking at the event, Arie Veldhuizen, Agricultural Counselor of the Netherlands for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, shared insights into the Netherlands’ experience in agricultural production, highlighting companies that have successfully applied advanced technologies in this field. He also spoke about the activities of Netherlands Fruit Solutions and the establishment of cooperation between the company and Uzbek producers in the fruit-growing sector. 

The discussions focused on the horticultural potential of Fergana Valley regions, modernization of the sector, boosting export capacity, and the introduction of innovative technologies.

Particular attention was given to the conservation of water resources. The importance of introducing drip irrigation systems, reducing soil erosion, and ensuring plant resilience to climate change and various diseases through the selection of crop varieties suited to local weather and climatic conditions was emphasized. Other key issues included studying foreign export requirements in depth, establishing specialized smart orchards, and using high-quality planting material. The significance of sorting, storage, and packaging processes was also highlighted. Proposals and opinions were voiced on the broad use of biological methods for protecting orchards from pests and insects.

The forum also featured an introduction to innovations proposed by specialists from the Netherlands. In the second half of the event, leading horticultural companies, including VGB Watertechniek, NETTEAM, BVB Substrates, Geerlofs Refrigeration, and Fall Creek, presented their projects. Company representatives showcased smart irrigation and fertigation systems, real-time sensor-based automated process management, efficient use of water and fertilizers, as well as plant protection technologies such as hail nets and rain covers. They also introduced substrates for the soilless cultivation of strawberries, raspberries, and greens, along with solutions for using renewable raw materials, cooling, shock-freezing, sorting, and packaging of produce. Participants exchanged experiences on the pot cultivation of pest-resistant plant varieties.

An exchange of experience on high-tech fruit processing and export was held.

The discussions highlighted the importance of planning fruit procurement processes, developing effective design solutions, using high-quality planting material, implementing biological protection methods, and employing entomophages, as well as cultivating high-yield varieties based on advanced modern technologies.

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F. Ubaydullayev, photos by Z. Umrzoqov, UzA