Uzbek businesspeople have been allocated 2,000 hectares in the Vitsyebsk region to grow potatoes. Cattle-fattening sites are being allocated in three districts, while a Uzbek sheep farm is already operating in another. Deputy Chair of the Vitsyebsk Regional Executive Committee Anzhalika Nikitsina told Belarusian television.
“Growing potatoes is becoming an important area for farmers from Uzbekistan. In our region, 2,000 hectares have already been allocated for potato cultivation because this country has seasonal shortages. In other words, there is also a shortage of potatoes and food products during the winter period”, she said.
The project is being implemented by representatives of Uzbekistan’s Andijan region. Work has also begun with them on cattle fattening.
“We can also now talk about creating joint ventures, and the Vitsyebsk region has already started work in this area involving cattle breeding. At present, we are discussing and have already partially begun work on allocating premises and agricultural land. The Uzbek side is being offered leases for cattle breeding in individual districts, such as Shumilina, Liozna and Haradok.”
“Our Uzbek colleagues have already begun implementing the measures we jointly agreed on. In other words, cattle breeding is now a key area for Uzbek farmers because there is a shortage of beef in that country, as well as, above all, a shortage of feed due to low moisture levels and limited water resources. We have sufficient resources for feed production in the Vitsyebsk region, which is why cattle breeding is of great interest”, Nikitsina said.
For its part, the Vitsyebsk region is considering establishing a joint venture in Uzbekistan to produce concentrate or puree for juices. The products would be supplied to Belarus, where they would be used to produce finished juices.
A sheep-farming project has been implemented with businesspeople from Uzbekistan’s Namangan region.
“We already have an enterprise operating in our region with Namangan capital. In Dokshytsy district, farmers from Uzbekistan are raising 1,200 sheep. And they are achieving quite good results”, she said.
There are also plans for joint production in the footwear sector. The Vitsyebsk region also wants to supply finished veterinary medicines to Uzbekistan, where they would be bottled and packaged.
