ТАSHKENT, September 18. /Dunyo IA/.  Today, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited ADM Agro’s industrialized intensive orchard in Kegeyli district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and reviewed the modern agricultural practices implemented there, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to the press service of the Head of our State, in international practice, automotive companies often expand into other sectors, developing diversified businesses. ADM Group, which manufactures vehicles in Jizzakh region, follows this approach. One of its new areas of activity is intensive horticulture in the Aral Sea region.

Horticulture is often considered economically unviable in the harsh climatic conditions of the Aral Sea region, where saline soils predominate. However, the project being implemented here, worth 55 billion soums, is changing this perception.

The orchard covers a total area of 330 hectares. Most importantly, 300 jobs have been created for local residents. Villagers who previously had no stable source of income can now work close to home and provide a decent livelihood for their families.

Currently, 250,000 black plum seedlings selected in the United States have been planted across 69 hectares. This variety is highly resistant to saline soils and begins bearing fruit in just two years. Each tree can yield up to 50-60 kilograms of fruit. The large size of the fruit and the ease with which the pit can be removed make this variety particularly suitable for processing.

To make efficient use of land and increase income, a high-yielding tomato variety has been planted between the trees. An average yield of 40-45 tons per hectare can be achieved.

Modern technologies introduced at the orchard have effectively addressed the challenge of water scarcity. Closed drainage and drip irrigation systems have been installed at the site. With conventional irrigation, water consumption amounts to 12,000 litters per hectare.

With the new system, this figure is reduced to just 5,000 liters, resulting in water savings of up to 60 percent.

Water is delivered directly to the roots of the trees, minimizing unnecessary water loss. Plants absorb up to 90 percent of the fertilizers applied through the irrigation system, while maintaining uniform soil moisture further increases yields. Thanks to the system’s full automation, a single operator can manage hundreds of hectares.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that establishing such a modern orchard despite challenging climatic conditions demonstrates the determination of entrepreneurs and their openness to innovation.

Equipment installed at the site allows fruit to be dried and processed immediately after harvesting, significantly increasing the value of the finished products.

Project also includes specific plans for marketing the finished products. Mutually beneficial export agreements have already been concluded with partners in China, the Republic of Korea and Russia.

Successful experience gained in Kegeyli will be expanded across Karakalpakstan.

Plans call for increasing the area of intensive orchards in the region to 10,000 hectares and creating 40,000 permanent and seasonal jobs.

Head of State also spoke with farmers. They highlighted the reforms underway in the country and expressed gratitude for the continued attention to the development of Karakalpakstan.