Highly profitable and socially significant industry prospects defined
Shavkat Mirziyoyev became familiar with activities of DB Group Eco enterprise for growing rare fish species in Naryn river, in Uchkurgan district.
For many years, Uzbekistan has not paid enough attention to systemic and scientifically based development of fishing industry. This limited the opportunities for fish farming and led to a decrease in production capacity of farms. Currently, taking into account that fish farming is not only a profitable industry, but also has a great social significance, the state introduces subsidies and benefits for relevant business entities.
The Head of the state has repeatedly touched upon the issues of increasing the potential of this sphere, enriching population's diet with fish products, introducing innovations, intensive fish farming in mountainous areas and increasing exports. In 2017, Uzbekbaliqsanoat Association was founded. There are about 4 thousand fish farms in the country, which harvest 190 thousand tons of products per year.
The number of intensive fish farms is also growing. In particular, in 2019, fish production in Namangan region amounted to 6932 tons, and this year it is expected that this figure will reach 20 thousand tons.
DB Group Eco enterprise, the project of which was presented during the visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the region in 2018, started working in 2019. The project cost is 40 billion UZS, of which 28 billion are bank loans and 12.5 billion are funds of the project initiators.
The annual production capacity of the enterprise is 1.5 thousand tons of fish products. Based on the European experience, intensive cultivation of delicious fish breeds, including trout and salmon, has been established here. Fish roe and feed are imported from Denmark and Germany.
To grow these cold-loving fish species, which live mainly in fresh and oxygen-rich waters, water is pumped into the company's reservoirs from Naryn river itself and then returned to the river. This saves water and energy resources.
Closed reservoirs for growing caviar and whitebait, as well as 66 outdoor pools were built on an area of 5 hectares. 100 jobs were created. With full capacity, the company will be able to grow 2000 tons of whitebait. Currently, frozen trout, as well as cold and hot smoked, fillet and low salt content are supplied to the domestic market.
“This rare species of fish must be accessible to the public. To do this, it is necessary to localize the production of fish feed. Only when the cost decreases, the market will become more active, people will have more fish on the table and the entrepreneur's profit will double”, said the Head of the state.
Trout is rich in phosphorus, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Its consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular and nervous diseases, sclerosis. For this reason, trout products are in great demand not only in domestic but also in foreign markets. The company plans to export 300 tons of fish to Singapore and Russia by the end of the year.
The President noted the need for a serious approach to construction projects of such enterprises, taking into account the specifics of fish farming. 75 new projects worth 299 billion UZS are planned to be implemented in Uchkurgan, Mingbulak, Uychi, Pap and Naryn districts of the region.
Here, the Head of the state got acquainted with presentation of new projects for development of various sectors of agriculture in the region, in particular fish farming, animal husbandry, poultry farming, breeding rabbits, beekeeping and goat farming.
Thus, in 2020, 84 new projects will be implemented in the region in animal husbandry, meat processing enterprises will be created. Pap district has long been specialized in goat farming.
The Head of the state instructed to restore this lost experience, create a cluster for production and processing of wool, distribute 20 thousand sheep and goats on a contract basis among 1.5 thousand households in Pap and Chust districts.
39 projects will be implemented in poultry sector and 440 jobs will be created. 46 projects in beekeeping will be financed.
The Head of the state instructed to develop a comprehensive program for development of beekeeping, launch a complex for production and packaging of 10 thousand tons of export-oriented honey in Namangan city.
Source: UzA
