Uzbekistan's cotton harvest in 2024 has reached a record level, with official data indicating over 3.5 million tons collected. This represents a 10% increase compared to the previous year and is noted as a significant achievement in the country's agricultural sector. However, despite this success, challenges such as water scarcity, soil salinization, and labor issues in the cotton cultivation process continue to persist.

Government representatives announced new initiatives to modernize the cotton industry and enhance environmental sustainability, including the adoption of water-saving technologies and promoting the use of organic fertilizers in cotton fields. Nevertheless, local farmers have complained about financial difficulties and insufficient technical support in implementing these changes.

Economic analysts anticipate that the growth in cotton exports will positively impact Uzbekistan's trade balance, but they emphasize that future difficulties may arise due to volatility in global market prices and increased competition. Additionally, while the cotton industry contributes significantly to the country's economy, there are warnings about the need to diversify agricultural products in the long term.

Source: uznews.uz