Uzbekistan Targets 70% Automated Cotton Harvest

Uzbekistan plans to raise machine cotton harvesting from 52% to 70% this year, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

It will buy 800 cotton pickers and 6,000 seeders, tractors & combines, totaling 10,000 machines, increasing the fleet to 292,000 units; mechanisation stands at 81%.

Earlier, 1,756 pickers were added, harvesting 2.1 million tonnes of cotton last year.

The country seeks $400 million support; equipment will be on 10-year lease at 18% interest, with 2 years interest-free and 8% subsidy.