Greenhouse farms collapse under debt and utility outages, Senate calls for answers

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agrarian, Water Management and Ecology Issues, Anvar Tuychiev, has sent a written inquiry to Agriculture Minister Ibrohim Abdurakhmonov over the systemic challenges facing greenhouse farming in Uzbekistan.

According to the Senate press service, the senator highlighted key issues that need to be addressed. These include the lack of sustainable financing mechanisms for greenhouse farms, frequent disruptions in natural gas, electricity, and water supplies, and the burden of high-interest loans that have led some farms to default and transfer ownership to banks.

“According to available data, over 120 hectares of greenhouses had shifted to banks’ balance sheets as of May 2025. This has led to a reduction in jobs and a decline in economic efficiency,” the statement read.

The senator also stressed the need to improve oversight of agricultural product quality, create a competitive environment, enhance the effective use of scientifically grounded agricultural technologies, and strengthen mechanisms to provide farmers and entrepreneurs with seed production and agrochemical services.

The Ministry of Agriculture has been asked to provide a detailed and evidence-based written response regarding the following:

• The number and condition of greenhouses established between 2020 and 2024;
• The current financing mechanisms for the sector;
• Ongoing problems in ensuring reliable access to natural resources and the measures being taken to address them;
• The status of implementing scientific approaches and innovative solutions;
• Efforts aimed at boosting export capacity and ensuring financial sustainability.

Earlier, Kun.uz posted investigative reports showing that many greenhouses built at great expense across Uzbekistan had fallen into disrepair and were lying abandoned.

On July 30, during a sector-wide conference on agriculture, officials acknowledged the issue and announced several support measures: gas will be supplied to greenhouses in guaranteed volumes during the winter season, and prepayment requirements for gas will be reduced by 50% from October to March. In addition, the deadline for thousands of greenhouse farms to pay taxes has been extended until January 1. The social tax rate for greenhouse workers will also be reduced from 12% to 1% until 2028.