The President of Turkmenistan holds working session for increment of food abundance

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held working session with participation of some Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of certain ministries and profile departments. Implementation of the Program of development of agricultural complex, strengthening of food abundance, transfer of agricultural complex to digital system, increment of food production have been reviewed at the session.

In this regard, the Head of the State has listened to relative reports on performed work for provision of food abundance in the country as well as has given recommendation for successful solution of set objectives.

At first, the floor was given to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers E. Orazgeldiyev who reported on the situation in agricultural section and course of seasonal agricultural campaigns.

This year, potato, vegetables and other crops have been planted in Turkmenistan. At present time, care of winter agricultural crops is taken according to agricultural standards.
It is planned to expand the fields for cultivation of potato, fruit, vegetable and other agricultural production and to increase the production of crops for strengthening of food abundance in 2021.

In addition, work for plantation of fruit and vine trees, expansion of lands for their plantation is carried out every year according to relative Resolution of the Head of the State.

Necessary measures are also planned to be taken for development of livestock farming, increment of livestock and volumes of livestock production. Proper measures are taken for improvement of forage base of the branch.

Having listened to the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov pointed out the necessity of improvement of management of agricultural section and enhancement of tis efficiency. Digitization of the sphere, introduction of actual mechanisms stimulating work of farmers are to support this process.
Having focused on objectives for provision of food abundance in the country by all-inclusive development of agricultural complex, increment of production capacities of processing section targeted to production of various import substitutive production, the Head of the State gave relative instructions to the Vice-premier.

After, the floor was given to Minister of Agriculture and Natural Protection M. Bayramdurdiyev who has noted in his report that large-scale work is carried out in the country for fundamental reformation of agricultural sector, steadfast implementation of the state ecological policy, efficient use of land resources.

All capabilities are established in the result of this work for generous production of agricultural crops, steadfast increment of food abundance. Integrated measures are taken for increment of volumes of various agricultural products. Proper work is carried out for expansion of fields for cultivation of forage crops together regional administrations.

Summing up the report, the President highlighted the importance of reforms expanded in agricultural complex. Having also noted the necessity of scientific approach to solution of set objectives, active practical application of advanced technologies in combination with the best national practice, the Leader of the Nation has given specific instructions to the Minister.

Further, the floor was given to Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations O. Gurbannazarov. It was mentioned in the report that big work is carried out in trade complex for successful implementation of the Program of social and economic development of the country in 2019 – 2025.

Trade facilities under the Ministry procure food production from national producers for uninterrupted supply of markets and shops of the country with various food products. Relative measures are also taken for making of consumer basket, which includes the main goods including food products.

Fruits and vegetables cultivated by local agricultural producers are stocked in the storage warehouses under the work for import substitutive production and making of its substantial reserve.

Modern equipment and software are installed in the shops of the Ministry including in online shops in the context of the strategy of digitization. Work on amendments and addendums of existing legislation, which is aimed at legal provision of measures for improvement of shopping activity, reduction of imported goods and increment of volumes of local export oriented production, is carried out.

Having listened to the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the necessity to fill the markets and shops of the country with basic commodities, especially with food products, which have to be sold to the population on affordable price.

Having highlighted the importance of expansion of variety of production, which is on high consumer demand, Turkmen leader requested the Minister to provide strict control of procurement of required commodities from local producers as well as control of availability of the production for the population.

Chairman of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs D. Hudayberdiyev has reported on work in private sector for provision of food abundance. It was mentioned that the growth rate of agricultural and food production was 131.2 percent in January – September 2020 comparing with the same period of the last year.

Poultry farming is actively developed using modern technologies. Poultry farms for production of poultry meat and complexes for egg production have been built and put into operation. At the same time, construction of new profile farms is continued. Therefore, local market of the country is fully provided with chicken eggs and meat.

Members of the UIET build livestock farming complexes for breeding of pedigree cattle, at present time, largest in the region, livestock farming complex is under construction in Mary Region. Opening of this complex will allow providing powdered milk, butter and ice-cream. All of these will reduce import of production.

The Chairman of the UIET has also reported that modern hothouse farms producing various vegetables including eco-friendly tomatoes have been built all around the country.

In addition, fruit and vine trees have been planted, which allowed starting production of fruits and grape and saturate local market with this production. Number of processing facilities making dry fruits, fruit juices and ice cream in big volumes is growing in the country. The facilities, which have been built under import substitution program, make various food production.

Summing up the report, Head of the State Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has highlighted big role given to non-government sector of national economy in provision of food abundance in the country, steadfast increment of the country’s industrial and export potential.

Having noted the necessity to continue started large-scale work for import substitution, intensification of agriculture, development of processing facilities and increment of variety of competitive goods made in Turkmenistan, the President addressed the Chairman of the UIET with certain instructions.

Further, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Ch. Gylyjov has reported that markets of the country are provided with various food production from national producers. Measures undertaken in this direction support to reduction of import of food production.

Measures for arrangement of production of sunflower oil and butter, margarine, sugar as well as cultivation of bananas, citrus and other imported fruits are undertaken for these purposes.
According to the government programs, the members of the UIET build and put into operation livestock and poultry farming complexes, increase the livestock and volume of meat, dairy production.

The members of the UIET have built 138 hothouse farms provided with modern including water saving technologies and continue building 147 similar facilities.

There are perspectives for increment of export of production together with provision of local market with eco-friendly, high-quality production.

Summing up the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has highlighted that it is necessary to continue supporting entrepreneurship initiative in production of import substitutive and export oriented commodities.

The Head of the State has also given instructions to the Vice-premier for further modernization of trade complex, study and full satisfaction of consumer demand on food production, enhancement of the culture of service.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Secretary of the State Security Council Ch. Amanov has reported on fulfilment of assignments on control of provision of food abundance in the country by the structures under his supervision.

Analysis of this subject is carried out and proper measures are determined for implementation of the government level due to the situation in the world economy.

Summing up the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that it is necessary to implement strict control of supporting good abundance in the country as well as availability of food production.

The Head of the State has highlighted that it is necessary to hold under control the fulfilment of assignments for provision of food security by relative structures for further saturation of local market with various production of local make.

Having focused on the utmost objectives in this direction, the Head of the State addressed the Vice-premier, Secretary of the State Security Council with certain instructions.

Continuing the session and summing up the reports, the President highlighted that special attention is paid in the country to development of agriculture as to one of the main components of national economy, implementation of systematic reforms in this direction. For these purposes, significant resources are invested for development of agricultural complex, big work for further strengthening of its equipment and facility base is carried out.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that large-scale work is also carried out for protection of environment and provision of ecological wealth. Formation of favourable environment, health protection of the population and assertion of the principles of healthylife style, rational use of natural resources and steadfast introduction of eco-friendly technologies to production are the main priorities of the state.

Addressing Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers E. Orazgeldiyev and Minister of Agriculture and Natural Protection M. Bayramdurdiyev, the Head of the State requested to determine the volume of sowing of potato, vegetables, cucurbitaceous crops and other crops in the regions in 2021 and to carry out preparation work in this direction for provision of the population with sufficient amount of food production and reduction of import.

It was also requested to increase volumes of plantation of fruit and vine trees for expansion of production of fruits and grape in the country and provision of Turkmenistan citizens with these products.

It is necessary to increase livestock for development of livestock farming, satisfaction of demand on livestock production and provision of food abundance, the Head of the State pointed out.

Continuing the session, the President addressed Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations O. Gurbannazarov to provide fresh food products made in the country to consumers via trade network based on cooperation with local producers.

Together with sufficient provision of local markets with food products, it is necessary to provide regular control on keeping of stable prices, the President of Turkmenistan pointed out.

Taking into account coming 25th anniversary of neutrality, which would be widely observed, as well as New Year celebration, it is necessary to start relative preparation related to food production these days.

Speaking of this, the Head of the State gave instructions for expansion of electronic trade and services for delivery of goods to the population by wide introduction of digital system. The President has requested to implement daily control of strict compliance with sanitary standards and shopping regulation in shops and markets all around the country.

Further, addressing Chairman of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs D. Hudayberdiyev, the President requested to accelerate and hold under permanent control the works carried out by the members of the UIET for development of agricultural lands and opening of hothouse farms for increment of volumes of production of fruit, vegetable and cucurbitaceous crops in the country.

It is necessary to accomplish construction of cold stores and speed up their opening for sufficient all-year around provision of local consumers with fruits and vegetables.
At the same time, the Head of Turkmenistan noted that it is necessary to continue providing support in provision of necessary resources to the members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs making food products.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Ch. Gylyjov was requested to activate work for implementation of the government programs aimed at increment of import substitutive and export oriented production in the country.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has noted that members of the UIET have to analyse the program of construction of facilities of small, medium and big business making import substitutive food products and to propose the construction of new similar facilities if it is required, having given certain instructions to the Vice-premier.

The Head of the State has given instruction to develop the program of development of livestock farming together with agricultural sector for increment of meat and dairy production. The program shall provide the measures for construction of profile complexes by the members of the UIET. It is also necessary to pay attention to stimulation of pedigree livestock farming in the program.

Addressing Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Secretary of the State Security Council Ch. Amanov, the Head of Turkmenistan has requested to hold under strict control all matters related to provision of food security as well as provision of shops and markets with daily food products and price for these products.

Finishing working session at this point, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has wished big success in solution of set objectives to the participants.