Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a resolution aimed at providing additional support to rice farmers in the country.

According to the resolution, starting from 1 September, rice producers will be eligible for preferential loans covering up to 50% of the cost of rice cultivation and procurement. These loans will be available for a one-year term at an interest rate of 14%.

Farmers and dehkan farms will be able to enter into contracts with clusters for rice supply through the "Agroplatform."

Over the next two years, the government will reimburse 20% of the costs for acquiring new seed drills and equipment for rice planting using the transplanting method. The equipment must have been manufactured no more than one year before purchase.

Special support measures are also provided for rice farmers in Khorezm region. They will receive additional subsidies, including reimbursement of expenses for fuel and lubricants used in rice cultivation—up to 1 million soums per hectare, provided that land laser leveling is applied.

Furthermore, rice producers in Khorezm will have their costs for installing sprinklers, broad-spectrum and mobile irrigation systems covered, which will help conserve water during irrigation. The subsidy amount will be 8 million soums per hectare.

Starting with the current harvest, Khorezm rice farmers will be allowed to export up to 50% of their production if the yield exceeds 120 centners per hectare.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Khorezm region’s khokimiyat have been instructed to collaborate with South Korea to establish elite rice seed production centers. The region will also test salt-tolerant and drought-resistant rice varieties.