OREANDA-NEWS. August 12, 2010. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a working meeting to discuss the priorities for agricultural development and the progress in fulfilling the tasks set to this strategic sector. The Vice Premiers and the heads of the agricultural ministries and departments participated in the meeting.

Minister of Agriculture A. Gurbannazarov reported on the work done in the past seven months. In particular, the Minister noted that agricultural output was steadily increased due to the reforms launched in rural areas. In his report the Minister focused on the issues regarding selective breeding, use of high-yield varieties of wheat, cotton and other crops in farming practice and training of qualified specialists.

Commenting on the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized on the key role of the Ministry of Agriculture in implementing the national strategy for developing the agricultural sector including such an important aspect as increasing basic crop production. In this context the President focused on such essential factors as improvement of farming standards and wide adoption of science-based methods for cultivating crops adapted to local climatic and soil conditions. The President noted that particular attention should be given to selective breeding and effective management of the work of the State Service for Plant Protection and Quarantine under the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan.

Minister of Nature Protection B. Annabayramov reported on the progress in implementing the large-scale planting and rural development programmes initiated by the Turkmen leader and focused on the activities aimed at creating new forest and park zones and growing samplings in specialized forest farms and tree nurseries. The Minister reported on the results of the safety and environmental inspections carried out by the Ministry of Nature Protection.

Commenting on the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the priority of the environmental issues in the context of the large-scale economic and social programmes aimed at guaranteeing dynamic and sustainable development of the country and the welfare of people launched throughout the country. The Turkmen leader provided the concrete example of the Avaza national tourism zone where dozens of thousands of young trees had been planted in the area between the artificial river and the sea that would create a microclimate in the region. Also, the Turkmen leader said that trees and shrubs of different varieties including those brought from foreign countries should be planted.

In this regard the Turkmen leader focused on the need to take care of green plantations in velayats and vicinities of Ashgabat in the framework of the planting campaigns and monitor the implementation of relevant activities.

Noting that Turkmenistan should set an example for other countries of ensuring environmental wellbeing, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed the relevant high-ranking officials to strengthen control of the observance with environmental safety regulations at enterprises, institutions and organisations of all sectors, particularly large industrial facilities. Focusing on the need to intensify environmental research, the Turkmen leader instructed the Minister of Nature protection to take necessary measures to protect and increase population of wild animals and plants in the nature reserves throughout the country, replenish native plant and animal species and preserve picturesque natural landscapes.

Minister for Water Industry A. Yazmyradov reported on the progress in implementing the major projects aimed at improving water supply to agricultural facilities and settlements throughout the country. Land reclamation activities were carried out and water reservoirs were under construction in accordance with the 2011-2030 National Social and Economic Development Programme of Turkmenistan. In particular, the Baghir water reservoir would be put into operation in the near future. The Minister reported on the progress of construction of facilities of the Turkmen Lake Altyn Asyr.

Underscoring the significance of efficient water resources management, the President instructed to expand land reclamation activities on agricultural lands and control salinization of soil that would directly contribute to raising the level of crop yield, intensify the work of cleaning of drainage channels, strengthen control of water use on areas under crops and ensure water consumption in accocomplaince with agronomic standards

Chairman of the Turkmengallaonumleri Association Ye. Ashirov reported on the measures to store this year’s harvest and the preparations for the winter crops sowing campaign that was to start within the next few days.

Commenting on the report, the President demanded that this year’s wheat harvest be stored in a properly manner emphasizing that an increase in wheat production in the country stood as an essential factor for guaranteeing abundance of food products in the country. Demanding that the harvested crop be delivered in a proper manner to grain elevators and covered granaries, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed to accelerate the pace of construction of new enterprises producing bakery foods and grain elevators and keep strict control of the quality and schedule of construction. The President said that the strict control should be taken of the quality of flour and baked products and seed wheat that would be sown in 2011.

Then the floor was given to Chairman of the Supreme Chamber of Inspection G. Saparlyev, who reported on the results of the inspection carried out on the instructions of the Turkmen leader that had revealed the shortfalls on the construction sites of grain elevators and facilities of the Turkmengallaonumleri Association.

Commenting on the report, the Turkmen leader reprimanded the relevant high-ranking officials and demanded that strict control be taken of the quality and schedule of construction.

Vice Premier T. Japarov reported on the financial situation in the agricultural sector and the progress in implementing investments allocated to fundamentally reform this strategic sector of the national economy. Focusing on the use of goal-oriented funds allocated by the state, the Vice Premier reported that the finance for the projects of construction of important facilities including equestrian complexes and reconstruction and technology modernization of obsolete and outdated production facilities were provided in a timely manner.

Focusing o the importance of this work, the President said that the state would continue to assign funds for comprehensive development of the agricultural sector that played a priority role in ensuring abundance of food products in the country. In this regard the President instructed to take necessary measures to ensure the proper conditions of storage of harvested grain and the high quality of flour made from wheat harvested this year.

Chairman of the Turkmenobahyzmat Association Ch. Charlyev reported on the work done in the past seven months noting that the performance indicators had increased as compared to the same period of the previous year. The report focused on the measures taken to prepare agricultural machines to the cotton picking campaign, provide spare parts and improve professional skills of combine operators. Also,

Ch. Charlyev reported on the results of testing of combine harvesters in the climatic conditions of different regions of the country.

Commenting on the report, the President instructed to systematize the activity aimed at training highly qualified specialists and ensure effective operation and proper maintenance of agricultural equipment and units noting that cotton harvesters must be ready by the agricultural campaign that would start on August 15.

The Turkmen leader said that the Government put much effort to modernize the agricultural sector allocating substantial funds to buy high-powered agricultural machines that should be maintained and operated in a proper manner. The Turkmen leader said that old agricultural machines that could work effectively if operated properly should be distributed among private agricultural producers.

Chairman of the Turkmenmallary Association B. Jumov reported on the increase in livestock population through the support provided by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the cattle breeding sector, the preparations for the winter season, laying-in of fodder, construction of sheep sheds and sheepfolds, watering of pastures and provision of veterinary services.

Underscoring the importance of safe and warm winter quarters for livestock, construction of warm sheep sheds and watering facilities, the President said that the quality of veterinary services should be improved.

Chairman of the Turkmenpagta State Concern H. Annamyradov reported on the preparations for the cotton picking campaign and the work carried on in these days at the receiving points in velayats throughout the country. H. Annamyradov reported that last year’s cotton harvest had been processed in a timely manner.

Commenting on the report, the President demanded that the most responsible approach should be taken to holding the agricultural campaign. The President said that particular attention should be paid to maintenance of agricultural machines and management of receiving and storage of raw cotton. The President instructed to prepare the receiving points for receiving ‘white gold’ throughout the country and equip them with fire-fighting devices and strengthen control of the quality and the proper conditions of storage of raw cotton delivered to cotton-cleaning plants.

The President said that cotton grown by hard-working cotton growers must be picked to the last box and according to schedule because snow-white cotton was valuable raw materials for the rapidly developing textile industry. The Turkmen leader said that the use of child labour for picking cotton was inadmissible.

Chairman of the Food Industry Association B. Veliyev reported on the measures taken to broaden a range of food products noting that particular attention was given to design and marketable style of commodities.

Underscoring the need to improve the quality and broaden a range of domestic food products that should be able to compete with imported analogues, the Turkmen leader emphasized that the major requirements the industry must meet included the compliance with quality standards, achievement of abundance of food products on domestic market at affordable prices and enhancement of exports of Turkmen commodities to foreign markets.

Reporting on the work carried on in the horse breeding sector, Director General of the Turkmen Atlary State Association S. Gulmammedov informed in particular of the fulfillment of the instructions given by the Turkmen leader during the recent visit to the hippodrome in Ruhabat Etrap and the progress of construction of hippodromes in velayats.

Underscoring the importance of promoting horse breeding, the Turkmen leader said that the hippodromes under construction throughout the country should differ in architectural design and style and meet international standards. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the territory adjacent to the equestrian complexes should be improved and planted with greenery.

Focusing on considerable significance attached to revival of the centuries-old traditions of horse breeding in the new historical epoch, the Turkmen leader instructed to intensify the activity aimed at increasing the livestock of thoroughbred Ahalteke horses that should be encouraged by the International Association for Ahalteke Horse Breeding with the headquarters in Ashgabat.

Vice Premier M. Akmammedov reported on the major performance indicators gained in the agricultural sector in the past seven months and the measures taken to promote selective breeding and seed growing and adopt innovative agricultural technologies and high-yield and disease-resistant varieties of crops.

Emphasis was put on the work carried on to reclamate and irrigate fields, store and deliver fodder to distant pastures for livestock and the progress made in the cattle breeding sector in the reporting period. Reporting on the work done, the Vice Premier informed of the fulfillment of the instructions to promote horse breeding in the country given by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during the recent visit to the new equestrian centre under construction in Ahal Velayat.

M. Akmammedov presented the detailed report on the progress of seasonal agricultural campaigns and asked the President to bless the celebrations in honour of the beginning of the Ak Kerven cotton picking campaign.

In this regard the Turkmen leader instructed to hold the solemn ceremonies of launching the Ak Kerven campaign with the participation of the elders in Ahal, Lebap and Mary Velayat on August 20, in Balkan Velayat on August 25 and in Dashoguz Velayat August 29 and to start of the winter wheat sowing campaign. Farmers associations in the northern region will be the first in the country to start the sowing campaign, and farmers associations will join them on August 18.

Giving the blessing to those present for holding the important agricultural campaigns, the Turkmen leader focused again on the need to take necessary measures to pick cotton and sow winter wheat in a proper and timely manner and ensure the normal functioning of the production string from field to storage.

Summing up the meeting, the President demanded that the heads of the agricultural ministries and departments use more the scientific and technical potential of the industry, innovations and international practices to accelerate the agricultural reforms.

In conclusion the national leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished the meeting participants good health and every success and expressed belief that the fulfillment of new tasks set to the high-ranking officials would contribute to dynamic development of the agricultural sector and thus further economic prosperity of the Motherland.