President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov visited Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions on 27 September to get acquainted with the course of reforms pursued at the local level, UzA reported.

Jizzakh region farmers are contributing greatly in the cotton harvest of Uzbekistan. Intensive growth can be observed virtually in all branches of agriculture here. Thus, cotton growing yield was 16.1 metric centners from hectare in 2003, and 23.4 centners – in 2006.

Some 5,000 farms out of their total number in the region 10,000 are working in cotton growing. Last year 98.1% of cotton harvest fell to farmers. This year Jizzakh farmers are planning to gather over 250,000 tonnes of raw cotton.

President Karimov started his trip from the meeting with farmers, cotton pickers, rural people working on the fields of Kurgontepa farm (Jizzakh region) headed by Abdunabi Abdurakhmonov. Viewing the fields, the Uzbek leader asked farmers what grades of cotton do they grow, how much do they earn… He dwelled on the problem of cultivation of local cotton grades taking into account nature and climatic conditions of the area.

"Every region, including districts of Jizzakh region, should have their own perspective grades," the President said. "Scientists and specialists should help farmers in raising, selection and introduction of new grades most corresponding to local conditions".

President Islam Karimov when talking with farmers noted the successes in development of agriculture in Jizzakh region and existing shortcomings. "We have achieved some success in building of irrigation constructions, however there is a lot of work in the sphere of melioration. In this connection we will increase several times the funds allocated from the state budget for improvement of lands in 2008," he said.

In Syrdarya region, Islam Karimov met with farmers of three districts differing from each other with their economic potential and water-soil conditions. During talks farmers exchanged opinions on the results of reforms pursued in the country, living standards of the population.

Uzbek head noted that rural owners should work on the basis of modern requirements. "At the same time they should develop cattle breeding and industry in the region, which will serve not only to increase of their prosperity, but also to the growth of economy as a whole," he added.