Implementation of "Green" Technologies in Greenhouse Operations Reviewed
Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on the implementation of "green" technologies in greenhouse operations and ensuring their environmentally safe functioning.
First, the status of greenhouse operations in Tashkent and surrounding areas was analyzed. Last year, a special commission conducted an inventory of greenhouses and assisted some facilities in transitioning to eco-friendly energy sources. However, coal is still being used in some operations.
During the autumn-winter period, due to low wind speeds and temperature inversions, emissions generated by greenhouse operations can accumulate in the capital and its vicinity.
In light of this, a proposal has been made to introduce a special environmental regime based on "green" technologies for greenhouse operations in Tashkent and five adjacent districts. Permitted heating sources will include natural gas, electricity, geothermal and solar energy, as well as waste heat from thermal power plants. The burning of tires, plastics, bitumen, fuel oil, waste oils, and other waste materials is prohibited.
Greenhouses currently using solid fuel have been asked to switch to the aforementioned energy sources by December 1 of this year. The use of solid fuel may be permitted only for facilities that meet strict technical requirements: fuel must be stored indoors; automated boilers, efficient dust and gas purification equipment, and backup generators must be installed; safe ash and slag collection must be ensured; and chimney heights must comply with established standards.
Continuous environmental monitoring of greenhouse operations will be conducted from October 15 of this year through March 15 of next year. This initiative will monitor the operation of dust and gas purification equipment, atmospheric emission volumes, and compliance with fuel-type regulations. Data from measuring instruments and video surveillance systems will be transmitted in real-time to the National Committee for Ecology’s information system. Drones will be utilized for monitoring, and representatives of the public will also participate.
Enforcement measures will be applied in accordance with established procedures in cases where dust and gas purification equipment is missing, emission limits are exceeded, or prohibited fuel types are used. Greenhouse operations may be suspended if necessary.
Financial support measures have been developed to assist greenhouse operations in adapting to the new requirements. Proposals include subsidies of up to 50 million soums per hectare for the installation of eco-friendly, energy-efficient equipment, as well as concessional loans of up to 3 billion soums with a seven-year term. Measures to reduce the costs of purchasing and installing environmental monitoring equipment are also included.
Specific proposals have been prepared to assist in the modernization of household-based greenhouses.
In particular, proposals include a 50% reduction in land and property taxes until 2030, an exemption from turnover tax, and compensation for half of the electricity costs incurred by energy-saving systems. Consideration is also being given to awarding grants of up to 100 million soums to households in Tashkent and surrounding areas for the adoption of green energy sources and the installation of efficient equipment. Plans include providing concessional loans of up to 300 million soums for the construction of new "green" greenhouses and up to 150 million soums for the modernization of existing ones. Plans are in place to establish eco-friendly greenhouses for families in need across 50 *mahallas* (neighborhoods) that specialize in greenhouse farming.
The issue of collecting, treating, and reusing contaminated drainage and filtration water generated by greenhouse operations was also addressed. To this end, a proposal was made to appoint a specialized operator and develop the necessary infrastructure in the Akhangaran district.
The presentation also explored opportunities for developing modern greenhouse farming in regions with favorable climatic conditions. A 940-hectare site has been allocated for the "Surkhon-Agro" Free Economic Zone in the Sherabad district, and a master plan has been developed. Proposals include constructing greenhouses and agro-logistics facilities within the zone, as well as relocating existing bank-owned greenhouses to the site.
Investors operating within the zone will benefit from a zero-rate land lease for five years, along with a three-year exemption on fees for sewage services and groundwater usage. Additionally, it was proposed that land plots be auctioned with a starting price of 10 percent of their normative value; however, for projects exceeding $10 million in value—and for entrepreneurs relocating their greenhouse operations from Tashkent city or the Tashkent region—this rate would be set at 1 percent.
A proposal was also considered to exempt zone participants from land, property, and corporate income taxes for five years, as well as to waive customs duties on imported greenhouse equipment. Plans are in place to construct greenhouses and agricultural logistics facilities across 400 hectares, which will be sold to investors as turnkey projects. Objectives have been set to allocate 220 billion soums for infrastructure and 200 billion soums for project financing, and to attract $100 million in investment to the zone by 2027.
Officials have been instructed to prepare a digital map showing the locations of the greenhouses and the sources and volumes of energy supplies. Additionally, measures will be developed to expand sales opportunities for greenhouse produce in both domestic and foreign markets.
During the autumn-winter period, due to low wind speeds and temperature inversions, emissions generated by greenhouse operations can accumulate in the capital and its vicinity.
In light of this, a proposal has been made to introduce a special environmental regime based on "green" technologies for greenhouse operations in Tashkent and five adjacent districts. Permitted heating sources will include natural gas, electricity, geothermal and solar energy, as well as waste heat from thermal power plants. The burning of tires, plastics, bitumen, fuel oil, waste oils, and other waste materials is prohibited.
Greenhouses currently using solid fuel have been asked to switch to the aforementioned energy sources by December 1 of this year. The use of solid fuel may be permitted only for facilities that meet strict technical requirements: fuel must be stored indoors; automated boilers, efficient dust and gas purification equipment, and backup generators must be installed; safe ash and slag collection must be ensured; and chimney heights must comply with established standards.
Continuous environmental monitoring of greenhouse operations will be conducted from October 15 of this year through March 15 of next year. This initiative will monitor the operation of dust and gas purification equipment, atmospheric emission volumes, and compliance with fuel-type regulations. Data from measuring instruments and video surveillance systems will be transmitted in real-time to the National Committee for Ecology’s information system. Drones will be utilized for monitoring, and representatives of the public will also participate.
Enforcement measures will be applied in accordance with established procedures in cases where dust and gas purification equipment is missing, emission limits are exceeded, or prohibited fuel types are used. Greenhouse operations may be suspended if necessary.
Financial support measures have been developed to assist greenhouse operations in adapting to the new requirements. Proposals include subsidies of up to 50 million soums per hectare for the installation of eco-friendly, energy-efficient equipment, as well as concessional loans of up to 3 billion soums with a seven-year term. Measures to reduce the costs of purchasing and installing environmental monitoring equipment are also included.
Specific proposals have been prepared to assist in the modernization of household-based greenhouses.
In particular, proposals include a 50% reduction in land and property taxes until 2030, an exemption from turnover tax, and compensation for half of the electricity costs incurred by energy-saving systems. Consideration is also being given to awarding grants of up to 100 million soums to households in Tashkent and surrounding areas for the adoption of green energy sources and the installation of efficient equipment. Plans include providing concessional loans of up to 300 million soums for the construction of new "green" greenhouses and up to 150 million soums for the modernization of existing ones. Plans are in place to establish eco-friendly greenhouses for families in need across 50 *mahallas* (neighborhoods) that specialize in greenhouse farming.
The issue of collecting, treating, and reusing contaminated drainage and filtration water generated by greenhouse operations was also addressed. To this end, a proposal was made to appoint a specialized operator and develop the necessary infrastructure in the Akhangaran district.
The presentation also explored opportunities for developing modern greenhouse farming in regions with favorable climatic conditions. A 940-hectare site has been allocated for the "Surkhon-Agro" Free Economic Zone in the Sherabad district, and a master plan has been developed. Proposals include constructing greenhouses and agro-logistics facilities within the zone, as well as relocating existing bank-owned greenhouses to the site.
Investors operating within the zone will benefit from a zero-rate land lease for five years, along with a three-year exemption on fees for sewage services and groundwater usage. Additionally, it was proposed that land plots be auctioned with a starting price of 10 percent of their normative value; however, for projects exceeding $10 million in value—and for entrepreneurs relocating their greenhouse operations from Tashkent city or the Tashkent region—this rate would be set at 1 percent.
A proposal was also considered to exempt zone participants from land, property, and corporate income taxes for five years, as well as to waive customs duties on imported greenhouse equipment. Plans are in place to construct greenhouses and agricultural logistics facilities across 400 hectares, which will be sold to investors as turnkey projects. Objectives have been set to allocate 220 billion soums for infrastructure and 200 billion soums for project financing, and to attract $100 million in investment to the zone by 2027.
Officials have been instructed to prepare a digital map showing the locations of the greenhouses and the sources and volumes of energy supplies. Additionally, measures will be developed to expand sales opportunities for greenhouse produce in both domestic and foreign markets.
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