Uzbekistan signs $10 million deal with China to boost agricultural machinery production

A delegation led by the center's director, Shukhrat Otajonov, held a series of meetings with Chinese colleagues. A key event of the trip was the visit to the Menoble factory, which is owned by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences (CAAMS).

The guests were introduced to the factory's operations, which include the production of cotton seeders and cotton harvesting combines. Following the meeting, an agreement was signed between the Institute of Agricultural Mechanization and the Institute of Cotton Breeding, Seed Production, and Agro-Technology from Uzbekistan, as well as CAAMS.

Under this agreement, the largest agricultural machinery assembly plant in Central Asia will be established. The investment in the project will total $10 million.

The project is expected to provide Uzbek farmers with modern equipment and accelerate the modernization of the agricultural sector. Developing local production will also reduce dependence on imported agricultural machinery, according to the center's experts.

Additionally, the delegation visited the Agricultural Research Institute in Zhengzhou, China. Cooperation with the National Cotton Research Laboratory of China, headed by Professor Li Fuguan, was discussed.

The laboratory is known for developing pest-resistant cotton varieties using genetic engineering, incorporating genes for producing Bt toxin. Both parties agreed to collaborate on creating hybrid cotton varieties utilizing Bt genes.