Uzbekistan and China to launch $200 million seed production complex in Tashkent region

A new seed production center in Tashkent region will utilize drones and other advanced agricultural technologies for crop protection and harvesting.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed measures to enhance international cooperation in agriculture, according to the presidential press service.

One of the key topics discussed was a joint project with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in the field of seed production. The plan involves establishing a seed production complex at the Agro-Service Center in the Yukorichirchik district of Tashkent region.

The center’s specialists will develop new varieties of cotton, wheat, rice, corn, grapes, and fruit crops based on China’s expertise. The project is expected to attract $200 million in investments.

The complex will also feature a model nursery with a full cycle of seedling cultivation. Advanced equipment, including drones, will be used for crop protection, harvesting, and processing.

The meeting also highlighted Italy’s experience in training agricultural specialists. Italian research institutes collaborate with the private sector to develop, commercialize, and export new crop varieties while also training agricultural professionals across Europe.

As part of this initiative, 200 Uzbek students will study at universities in Bologna, Tuscia, Ferrara, and Pisa. The University of Tuscia, for example, has offered scholarships for 30 food technology students and assistance in setting up training programs in Uzbekistan.

Additionally, the discussion covered dual education programs that combine academic studies with practical work experience. In 2024, students from Samarkand Agricultural Institute and the International University of Agriculture were sent for training in Germany and the United Kingdom.

To further expand agricultural expertise, Japanese language centers are being established at three universities to facilitate student internships in Japan. The president also emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation with other countries that have advanced agro-industrial sectors, including Hungary, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, and South Korea.

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