“Red Gold” of Uzbekistan, or another good news from BMB Holding
Uzbekistan is called the country of gold. This is because the country produces the best-quality 99-carat gold in the world and cotton with solid fiber, called “white gold”. Now, New Uzbekistan has another “gold”. This is saffron, or the so-called “red gold”.
In just 4 years, large-scale work has been carried out – the BMB Holding laid saffron plantations on 700 hectares of foothill areas in Bakhmal district of the Jizzakh region.
“Saffron normalizes the level of sugar in human blood. It helps to thin the blood, reduce and balance blood pressure”, said the Deputy Director of BMB Impex – a subsidiary of this company Mirkamol Mirkhabibov. “Consumption of saffron ensures cleansing of the body, restoration of damaged cells, gives vigor and strength”.
However, saffron is a very capricious plant that requires excellent attention during cultivation. It requires a cool climate, moderate humidity, and constant processing. Thanks to the patience and scientific research of BMB Holding, all the difficulties associated with cultivating this crop were overcome. And now, Uzbekistan has entered the ranks of the few countries that grow saffron – “red gold.”
“Previously, saffron was cultivated and sold as a raw material. We have established its deep processing and production of new types of food products. For example, black, green tea, natural honey, and table salt with the addition of saffron. The production of saffron flour is planned”, said Mr. Mirkhabibov.
An event was held in Bakhmal district of Jizzakh region to open an enterprise for drying and processing saffron. Residents, officials of the country’s ministries and agencies, and heads of the region and district attended the event.
“I would like to express my gratitude and say a huge thank you to the President. Because the Head of state was the main initiator of this project, and then he comprehensively supported its implementation”, said Bekzod Mamatkulov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the BMB Holding. “After three years of research and establishing activities, we began to export our products to the United States. This year, we received the USDA Organic certificate, which is important in the world market. This certificate became Uzbekistan’s first official permit document for food products”.
“This is a joint project, and we have big plans”, said Agostino Pinna, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic to Uzbekistan. “I think that thanks to the comprehensive support of entrepreneurs from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan’s saffron has taken a strong place in the European market”.
The enterprise has workshops that dry, sort, and pack saffron. The project’s cost to expand plantations, dry and process products amounted to 120 million euros, of which 70 million euros were foreign direct investments, 37 million euros were own funds, and 13 million euros were loans.
The volume of saffron product exports in 2021 amounted to 1.2 million euros, in 2022 – 2.7 million euros, in 2023 – 4.5 million euros. In 2024, it is planned to increase this figure to 12 million euros.
Muhammadjon Obidov, photos by Elyor Olimov, UzA
