Uzbekistan plans to invest $118.5mn in the mechanization and modernization of its agricultural sector by 2026, following a decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

This initiative aims to enhance efficiency in the country’s agriculture through the acquisition of advanced equipment and machinery.

Of the total investment, $53.5mn will be sourced from the World Bank and directed to leasing organizations in Uzbekistan. An additional $65mn, also provided under the World Bank's Modernization of Agriculture project, will be used to purchase agricultural machinery. 

By February 2025, regional authorities are tasked with compiling a list of farmers eligible to receive equipment such as cotton pickers and laser planners, aiming to streamline cotton harvesting and other operations while reducing reliance on manual labor.

Several regulatory changes will accompany this investment to transform Uzbekistan's agricultural landscape. By 2027, the recycling fee for cotton and garden harvesters, as well as agricultural machinery less than 10 years old, will be eliminated. 

Starting March 2025, all agricultural machinery and tractors must be equipped with GPS trackers, with a ban on the registration and use of equipment lacking this feature.

These measures are part of a broader government effort to modernize Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector and ensure its competitiveness in domestic and international markets.

Source - https://daryo.uz