TASHKENT, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan is planning to switch to market pricing for its agricultural products, including for cotton and grain, in the coming years, according to the draft law on the Strategy for the Development of Agriculture for 2020-2030.
The document, posted on the government web portal for public discussion on Sept. 15, provides a plan for phasing out the state control of the processes of production, sale and processing of cotton and wheat, as well as promoting the diversification of all agricultural production.
The long-term goal of the strategy is to develop a competitive, domestic and foreign market oriented agricultural and food sector that will increase the income of agricultural producers, create new jobs and ensure food security and rational use of natural resources, the draft document said.
Agriculture is the leading sector of Uzbek economy, employing 3.6 million people and taking up 32 percent of the country's GDP. Currently, Uzbekistan exports more than 180 types of agricultural and food products to more than 80 countries.
