Measures reviewed to introduce green technologies in greenhouse farming

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on the introduction of green technologies in greenhouse operations and measures to ensure their environmentally safe functioning.

The presentation began with an assessment of greenhouse farms in Tashkent and the surrounding areas. Last year, a special commission conducted an inventory of greenhouses and assisted a number of farms in transitioning to environmentally friendly energy sources. However, some greenhouse farms continue to use coal.

During the autumn and winter period, weakening winds and temperature inversions can cause emissions generated by greenhouse operations to accumulate in the capital and nearby areas.

In this regard, officials proposed introducing a special environmental regime for greenhouse farms in Tashkent and five neighbouring districts based on the use of green technologies. Natural gas, electricity, geothermal energy, solar energy and waste heat from thermal power plants would be permitted for heating purposes. The burning of tyres, plastics, bitumen, fuel oil, used oils and waste materials would be prohibited.

Greenhouses operating on solid fuel were proposed to transition to the approved energy sources by December 1 this year. The use of solid fuel would be permitted only for farms meeting strict technical requirements, including enclosed fuel storage facilities, automated boilers, effective dust and gas treatment systems, backup generators, safe ash and slag disposal systems, and chimneys that comply with established standards.

From October 15 this year until March 15 next year, continuous environmental monitoring will be carried out at greenhouse farms. The operation of dust and gas treatment equipment, atmospheric emissions and compliance with fuel requirements will be monitored. Data collected through measuring devices and video surveillance systems will be transmitted in real time to the information system of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change. Drones will also be used, and members of the public will participate in the monitoring process.

If required dust and gas treatment equipment is absent, emission limits are exceeded or prohibited fuels are used, appropriate enforcement measures will be taken. Where necessary, greenhouse operations will be suspended.

To help greenhouse farms adapt to the new requirements, a package of financial support measures has been developed. It was proposed to provide subsidies of up to 50 million soums per hectare for the installation of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient equipment, as well as concessional loans of up to 3 billion soums for a period of seven years. Measures are also envisaged to reduce the cost of purchasing and installing environmental monitoring equipment.

Separate proposals have been developed to support the modernisation of household greenhouses.

In particular, it was proposed to reduce land and property taxes by 50 per cent until 2030, exempt greenhouse operators from turnover tax, and compensate half of the electricity costs incurred by energy-efficient systems. The issue of providing grants of up to 100 million soums to households in Tashkent and surrounding areas for the introduction of green energy sources and the installation of efficient equipment was also considered. Concessional loans of up to 300 million soums would be provided for the construction of new greenhouses based on green technologies and up to 150 million soums for the modernisation of existing facilities. Environmentally safe greenhouses for low-income families are planned to be established in 50 mahallas specialising in greenhouse farming.

The presentation also addressed the collection, treatment and reuse of contaminated drainage and filtration water generated by greenhouse operations. To this end, it was proposed to establish a specialised operator and create the necessary infrastructure in the Akhangaran district.

Opportunities for developing modern greenhouse farming in regions with favourable climatic conditions were also reviewed. A total of 940 hectares of land has been allocated for the Surkhon-Agro Free Economic Zone in Sherabaddistrict, and a master plan has been developed. It was proposed to build greenhouses and agro-logistics facilities within the zone, including the relocation of greenhouses currently held on the balance sheets of banks.

For investors operating in the zone, a zero land lease rate has been established for five years, along with three-year concessions on payments for sewerage services and the use of groundwater. In addition, it was proposed to auction land plots at a starting price equal to 10 per cent of their normative value. For projects worth more than $10 million and entrepreneurs relocating greenhouse operations from Tashkent city and Tashkent region, the starting price would be set at 1 per cent.

A proposal was also reviewed to exempt zone participants from land, property and profit taxes for five years, while imported greenhouse equipment would be exempt from customs duties. Greenhouses and agro-logistics facilities are planned to be developed on 400 hectares and offered to investors as ready-to-launch projects. A task was set to allocate 220 billion soums for infrastructure development, direct 200 billion soums towards project financing and attract $100 million in investment to the zone by 2027.

The President instructed responsible officials to prepare a digital map showing the location of greenhouses and the sources and volumes of their energy supplies. In addition, measures will be developed to expand opportunities for marketing greenhouse products in domestic and foreign markets. 

Source: https://president.uz/ 

Information service of JSC «National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan» 

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