Shavkat Mirziyoyev Targets Investment, Food Security, and Poverty Reduction in Kashkadarya
Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting to outline key measures aimed at enhancing food security, boosting investments, and reducing poverty in the Kashkadarya region. The region, known for its strong potential in industry, energy, agriculture, and tourism, has already made significant progress this year, mastering $2 billion in investments, creating 565,000 jobs, and lifting 90,000 people out of poverty.
The gross regional product is expected to grow by over 6 percent by the year’s end, with exports reaching $555 million. However, President Mirziyoyev emphasized that greater results could be achieved by fully utilizing the region’s potential.
Food Security and Agriculture
Starting next year, Kashkadarya aims to achieve full self-sufficiency in potatoes, fruits, poultry, and eggs. Sixteen major projects involving foreign investors have been initiated. For instance, a modern garden spanning 300 hectares will be established in Guzar, Qamashi, and Shakhrisabz districts, producing an additional 4,000 tons of fruits annually and creating 600 jobs.
Organic melon and vegetable cultivation will be expanded in Kukdala, Chiroqchi, Shakhrisabz, Koson, and Nishon districts. Advanced methods like shock freezing and freeze-drying will be employed for watermelon concentrate and other produce.
Livestock and Textile Industry
Livestock farming will also see significant development, with 62,000 sheep and 10,000 cattle to be imported from regional and European countries. A livestock cluster for 1,000 cattle and a poultry farm for 1 million birds will be established in Qarshi and Qamashi.
In the cotton industry, five new textile enterprises worth $233 million will enhance fabric production by 51 percent, increasing the share of finished products and driving industrial growth.
Tourism and Mineral Resources
Tourism in the villages of Miraki, Maydanak, Achinkul, and Sechankul is set to expand, with $300 million to be invested in infrastructure, including 200 guest houses and 1,000 retail outlets, creating jobs for 5,000 people.
Plans to produce finished products from 147 non-metallic deposits will attract $209 million in investments, with deposits being auctioned gradually.
Poverty Reduction and Economic Growth
Under the recently launched “From Poverty to Prosperity” program, six large enterprises in Kashkadarya aim to lift 10,000 citizens out of poverty by next year. Additionally, 86 driver projects and 33,000 microprojects involving banks are expected to provide income for 70,000 people, reducing the poverty rate from 8.6 percent to 6.5 percent.
Looking ahead, the region plans to attract $3.5 billion in investments, increase exports to $1 billion, and create 300,000 jobs in 2025.
President Mirziyoyev concluded by calling for improved efficiency and the development of additional $300 million projects in industry, agriculture, and services, underscoring the need to fully harness Kashkadarya’s potential to achieve sustainable growth.
