The commissioning ceremony was attended by Golibjon Qurbonov, Deputy Director of the Forestry Agency; Won Do Yeon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Uzbekistan; Abdushukur Hamzayev, Head of the Uzbekistan Ecological Party faction in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis; representatives of the National Committee on Ecology and the Forestry Agency; KOICA experts; representatives of the Piskent District Administration; heads of regional state forestry enterprises; and representatives of the mass media.
Speaking at the event, Golibjon Qurbonov, Deputy Director of the Forestry Agency, noted that in recent years, significant efforts have been made across the country, at the initiative of the Head of State, to establish new forests and expand green spaces.
He also highlighted that a modern forestry nursery centre recently began operating in Guzar District, Kashkadarya Region, with the capacity to grow millions of high-quality seedlings annually. In addition, a smart nursery complex covering a total area of 5.5 hectares was established in Andijan Region this year.
According to him, the new complex commissioned in Piskent District represents a continuation of these important initiatives and will help take the nationwide “Yashil Makon” (Green Space) project to a new level. On behalf of the Forestry Agency, he expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Korea, KOICA, and all partners who actively contributed to the implementation of the project.
During the ceremony, a commemorative stone marking the establishment of the complex was officially unveiled. Guests also planted commemorative trees before familiarising themselves with the nursery's operations and infrastructure.
About the Project
The project, implemented in cooperation with KOICA, is scheduled for 2024–2028 and has a total budget of USD 7.7 million.
The complex is located at the Dongqorgon branch of the Tashkent Specialized State Forestry Enterprise and covers an area of 7 hectares. It comprises 14 modern smart greenhouses equipped with automated management systems and equipment for continuous monitoring of indoor environmental conditions. These technologies enable the cultivation of high-quality planting material adapted to local climatic conditions.
Growing seedlings using smart technologies plays an important role in developing the forestry sector, improving seedling production efficiency, and implementing measures to adapt to climate change. As part of the project, training seminars are also being organised on seedling cultivation, plant grafting, and the introduction of modern agricultural technologies.
Furthermore, the project will enable more efficient use of existing forestry infrastructure, create new employment opportunities, and expand the capacity to grow various species of trees and shrubs.
Advantages of Smart Greenhouses
According to South Korean experts, these modern smart greenhouses, where seedlings are cultivated using advanced technologies, offer several advantages over traditional growing methods.
First and foremost, advanced technological equipment makes it possible to save significant amounts of water. Seedlings are grown not in open soil but in specially designed pots and containers. As a result, they generally become ready for planting in open ground within approximately one year.
Automated management systems reduce the need for manual labour. All processes are controlled through specialised software, ensuring the healthy and high-quality development of the seedlings.
Another important advantage is that seedlings grown in special containers are much easier to transport and plant in mountainous areas. This, in turn, helps reduce transportation and other operational costs.
Results in the Forestry Sector
According to the Forestry Agency, during the first nine months of this year, forestry enterprises under the agency collected 1,100 tonnes of tree and shrub seeds for forestry and greening activities.
In addition, 101.6 million seedlings and young plants adapted to local soil and climatic conditions are being cultivated and maintained across an area of 1,035 hectares.
Experts emphasise that the success of such large-scale activities directly depends on the proper selection of planting material, high-quality cultivation, and adequate care after planting. The technologies introduced at the smart nursery in Piskent make it possible to use water resources efficiently, grow seedlings in a controlled environment, and improve their quality.
There are plans to introduce this advanced experience in other forestry enterprises across the country.
The new complex will contribute to the large-scale production of tree and shrub seedlings, supply forestry enterprises with high-quality planting material, establish new green spaces across the country, create and restore forests, and help prevent desertification in arid areas.