On 28 September, Uzbek TV broadcast a special programme featuring Uzbek President Islom Karimov’s visit to the central regions of Jizzax and Sirdaryo, which took place on 27 September.

The programme mainly focused on meetings between the head of state and local farmers. Speaking to the farmers, Islom Karimov praised the reforms being carried out in the country.

"During the old Soviet system, nobody seriously thought about the fates of people living here, about their living conditions and their interests. Today the reforms are yielding their positive fruits. Farmers in Mirzaobod, who work selflessly, are achieving significant results and great harvest, as well as gaining sufficient profits. This way they proved in practice that old views had been wrong," the president said, meeting farmers in Sirdaryo Region’s Mirzaobod District.

He also said that farmers should work on the basis of modern requirements by simultaneously developing cattle breeding and industry in the region. The president also pledged to allocate 100bn soms (about 80m dollars) from the state budget for land reclamation projects in 2008.

Also, Karimov noted that living standards in the regions kept improving.

"With the improvement in people’s well-being, naturally, demand for even better living conditions increases. A few years ago, a car for our compatriots was considered to be a luxury. Today it is just a means of transport. An increase in the number of cars in rural areas is evidence of the fact that people’s purchasing power is growing," he said.

The TV also showed Karimov in a field asking a female farmer: "Is there anybody who causes a problem in your business or attempts to extort money from you?" The woman replied that she had nothing to complain about.

Another farmer told the president that local living conditions could be compared to those in Germany as people had everything available at shops. This is all due to the president’s efforts, the farmer added. The man also said that people’s political awareness was increasing.

The programme concluded by an old woman wishing well and sound health to the president.