Samarkand and UC Davis expand agricultural cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The hokim of Samarkand region, Adiz Boboev, visited the Foundation Plant Services (FPS) research center operating under the University of California, Davis, where the sides discussed prospects for cooperation in agricultural technologies and crop production.

The center specializes in the production, propagation, and certification of high-quality virus-free planting material.

Its operations include advanced laboratories, greenhouses, and protected plantations, with a collection comprising thousands of varieties of grapes, fruit trees, strawberries, potatoes, and other crops. The center also provides laboratory diagnostics and quarantine control services.

During the talks, particular attention was given to introducing a system for producing certified seedlings in Samarkand region, strengthening phytosanitary standards based on UC Davis experience, and improving the quality of agricultural products intended for export.

The parties also discussed initiatives to establish regional laboratories for plant disease detection, implement biotechnological diagnostic methods, and develop human capital in the agricultural sector.

Additional areas of cooperation included projects to develop climate-resilient crop varieties, introduce water-saving technologies, and improve soil fertility.

In education, the sides proposed organizing internships in the United States for students and specialists from Samarkand State Agrarian University, as well as developing joint training programs and distance learning platforms.

Following the visit, specific directions for future cooperation were identified, which are seen as an important step toward building a modern export-oriented agricultural system in the region.