TASHKENT (TCA) — Uzbekistan produced more than 8.2 million tons of grain crops in 2016, 87.2 thousand tons or 1.1 percent more than in the previous year, the Jahon information agency reports with reference to the country’s State Statistics Committee.
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries accounted for 17.6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product last year.
Implementation of measures on agriculture development for the period 2016-2020, aimed at ensuring increased yields and productivity of agriculture and expansion of cultivated land areas for growing fruit and vegetables, resulted in a 6.6-percent increase in agriculture, forestry and fishing production in 2016 compared to the previous year.
Growth in crop and animal production made up 6.6 percent, in forestry – 1.8 percent, and in fisheries – 21.6 percent.
Uzbekistan’s potato production amounted to 2.9 million tons (9.7% increase), vegetables – 11.2 million tons (11.3% up), melons – 2.045 million tons (10.4% up), berries – 3.042 million tons (10.8% up), and grapes – 1.7 million tons (9.9% up).
In recent years Uzbekistan has pursued a policy of increasing its fruit and vegetable production and exports.
Measures to further increase the capacity of the livestock industry and consistent state support contributed to the growth of the cattle population and saturation of the domestic consumer market with animal products. Last year, all categories of farms in Uzbekistan produced 2.1 million tons of meat (6.8 percent more than the previous year), 9.7 million tons of milk (7.5 percent up), and 6.1 billion eggs (10.6 percent increase).
