The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, reviewed proposals for implementing environmentally friendly technologies in greenhouse farming, reducing emissions, and developing modern production in the country's regions.
During the presentation, officials examined the condition of greenhouses in Tashkent and surrounding areas. Last year, a special commission conducted an inventory of facilities and helped some farms transition to eco-friendly energy sources, but some greenhouses continue to use coal.
During the autumn-winter period, when winds weaken and temperature inversions occur, emissions from greenhouses can accumulate in the capital and its vicinity. In response, officials proposed introducing a special ecological regime in Tashkent and five neighboring districts, which will require a shift to cleaner energy sources.
For heating greenhouses, the use of natural gas, electricity, geothermal, and solar energy, as well as waste heat from thermal power plants, is permitted. Burning tires, plastic, bitumen, fuel oil, waste oils, and waste is prohibited.
It is proposed that greenhouse farms using solid fuel transition to permitted energy sources by December 1st of this year. Exceptions may be made for farms that meet strict technical requirements. These requirements include storing fuel in enclosed premises, installing automatic boilers and efficient equipment for dust and gas purification, having a backup generator, safe collection of ash and slag, and adhering to chimney height standards.
From October 15th of this year to March 15th of next year, continuous ecological monitoring is planned at greenhouse farms. This will cover the operation of pollution control equipment, emission volumes, and compliance with fuel requirements. Data from measuring instruments and video surveillance systems will be transmitted in real-time to the information system of the National Committee on Ecology. Drones and public representatives are also expected to participate in the monitoring.
In the event of a lack of pollution control equipment, exceeding maximum permissible emissions, or using prohibited fuels, coercive measures will be applied, and greenhouse operations may be suspended if necessary.
To stimulate the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies, officials proposed subsidies of up to 50 million soms per hectare of greenhouse area, as well as preferential loans of up to 3 billion soms for seven years. Measures to reduce the cost of purchasing and installing environmental monitoring equipment are also planned.
A separate package of proposals concerns the modernization of greenhouses used by households. By 2030, it is proposed to reduce land and property taxes by 50%, exempt these farms from turnover tax, and reimburse half of the electricity costs spent on energy-saving systems.
Authorities are also considering providing grants of up to 100 million soms to households in Tashkent and surrounding areas for implementing green energy sources and installing efficient equipment. Preferential loans can reach 300 million soms for building new eco-friendly greenhouses and 150 million soms for modernizing existing ones. Eco-friendly greenhouses are planned for needy families in 50 mahallas specializing in greenhouse farming.
Another area of focus will be the collection, purification, and reuse of contaminated drainage and filtration water generated in greenhouses. To support this work, officials proposed creating a specialized operator and the necessary infrastructure in the Akhangaran district.
The presentation also discussed the development of greenhouse production in regions with favorable climatic conditions. Specifically, 940 hectares of land have been allocated for the 'Surkhan-Agro' free economic zone in Sherabad district, and a master plan has been prepared. This zone is intended for housing greenhouses and agricultural logistics facilities, including farms under bank ownership.
Investors in this zone are granted a zero land lease rate for five years, as well as three-year exemptions from wastewater and groundwater usage fees. Officials additionally proposed putting land plots up for auction at a starting price equal to 10% of their normative value. For projects valued over 10 million US dollars and enterprises relocating greenhouse farms from Tashkent and Tashkent region, the proposed starting bid will be reduced to 1%.
Authorities are also considering exempting zone participants from land, property, and profit taxes for five years, as well as abolishing customs duties on imported greenhouse equipment. The placement of greenhouse complexes and agricultural logistics facilities on an area of 400 hectares is planned, which will be offered to investors as ready-made projects. Officials proposed allocating 220 billion soms for infrastructure development and another 200 billion soms for project financing. The zone is expected to attract $100 million in investments in 2027.
After the presentation, officials were instructed to prepare a digital map indicating the location of greenhouses and the specifications of energy supply sources and volumes. They were also tasked with developing measures to expand the sales opportunities for greenhouse products in domestic and foreign markets.
