Uzbek authorities have announced that the national cotton harvesting plan has allegedly reached 101 percent of its target. The announcement was made by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his visit to the Kashkadarya region, where he addressed local entrepreneurs and investors in a televised appearance.

During his speech, the Uzbek leader claimed that statistical targets are not the sole objective of the administration, emphasizing the importance of economic benefits. He also reflected on past agricultural practices, criticizing the prolonged harvesting periods and heavy administrative mobilization that historically characterized the sector.

According to data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, the volume of harvested raw cotton reportedly surpassed initial projections, reaching 4.63 million tons. A significant portion of the crop was gathered using mechanized harvesting units. Nevertheless, the sector continues to navigate complex transitions involving cluster systems and deep processing initiatives.

Despite the formal abolition of state-mandated production quotas back in 2020, international watchdogs, including Human Rights Watch and the Cotton Campaign, have repeatedly reported that farmers still face systemic coercion. Reports suggest that local authorities continue to exert pressure regarding crop selection and yield quotas, undermining the transition to genuine market relations.

Source: www.gazeta.uz