Uzbekistan to raise 2026 share of automated cotton harvesting to 70%

Uzbekistan plans to raise the share of automated cotton harvesting to 70 per cent this year, according to its President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who said the country intends to acquire 800 cotton-picking machines, as well as 6,000 seeders, tractors and combines to achieve this target.

Around 10,000 units of agricultural machinery will be purchased in all this year, raising the fleet to 292,000 machines, the president’s official website said in a release.

Uzbekistan plans to raise the share of automated cotton harvesting to 70 per cent this year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The proportion of machine-harvested cotton is 52 per cent now.
It plans to acquire 800 cotton-picking machines, as well as 6,000 seeders, tractors and combines.
The country will seek $400 million from global financial institutions to back farmers in acquiring new equipment.

The level of mechanisation in agriculture now stands at 81 per cent.

Uzbekistan has purchased 1,756 cotton-picking machines in the last few years, raising the proportion of machine-harvested cotton to 52 per cent.

Last year, 2.1 million tonnes of cotton were harvested using automated machines.

Uzbekistan will seek $400 million from international financial institutions to back farmers in acquiring new equipment. Tractors and combines will be available on a 10-year lease at 18-per cent interest in local currency, with the first two years interest-free. The government will subsidise 8 per cent of the interest rate.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)