Shavkat Mirziyoyev calls for swift measures to address cotton harvest delays

According to the presidential press service, the meeting opened with a detailed assessment of the cotton-picking process and the challenges currently facing farmers.

“This year, cotton was planted on 875,000 hectares, with contracts signed for a total harvest of 3.7 million tons. Over 900 harvesting machines have been deployed, and farmers have received fuel and fertilizers at subsidized rates. However, some regions are falling behind schedule. Surkhandarya, Khorezm, Fergana, and Andijan are showing strong results, while Samarkand, Syrdarya, and Navoi are underperforming,” the report noted.

President Mirziyoyev instructed local authorities to establish emergency headquarters to ensure efficient and high-quality harvesting, as well as to address farmers’ concerns promptly. Officials were also tasked with guaranteeing timely payments for harvested cotton.

The meeting also reviewed preparations for the autumn–winter season. Repairs remain incomplete at 125 of 640 schools and kindergartens, nearly 1,000 of the country’s 9,800 apartment buildings are not ready for the cold season, and boiler houses in Jizzakh and Surkhandarya remain unfinished. The president emphasized the need to resolve these issues within two weeks and to ensure substations, power, and water networks are fully operational.

To date, 55,000 tons of coal have been delivered to the population, including 9,000 tons to 381 remote villages and settlements. The president instructed authorities to distribute the remaining 27,000 tons in storage and to supply 330,000 tons of liquefied gas to consumers during the autumn–winter period. Officials were warned they would be personally accountable for preventing disruptions in gas and electricity supply.

The progress of the “Yashil Makon” (Green Space) program was also discussed. Of the 137 million seedlings planted this spring, 27.5 million have withered due to the early onset of hot weather, which hindered root establishment and required two to three times more water than usual. The president stressed the importance of increasing tree planting in autumn. Plans were announced to plant 125 million trees and shrubs this autumn and an additional 75 million in spring, with a requirement to avoid areas without irrigation infrastructure.

In addition, the government will develop “green” master plans for Tashkent, Nukus, and all regional centers, with input from scientists, urban planners, and environmental experts, to guide sustainable urban development.

Economic performance was also reviewed. Foreign investment in the third quarter is expected to reach $33.5 billion, while exports from January to August totaled $23 billion, a 31 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

However, investment growth remains uneven, and some regions have seen a decline in exports. The president urged officials to secure an additional $7.3 billion in exports by year-end, while intensifying efforts to attract investment and enter new markets.

It was also agreed to expand cooperation with US states. Each region is expected to establish partnerships with a specific state, facilitating direct connections between local entrepreneurs and foreign partners.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Mirziyoyev instructed officials to ensure that all tasks across these sectors are completed fully and on schedule.