During a visit to the Kashkadarya region, the President toured a new agrotourism complex, according to the presidential press service.
World-renowned French and Italian landscape gardens and hillside vineyards attract thousands of tourists annually. A similar picturesque area has now been developed in Shakhrisabz.
Previously, the site consisted of arid hills and barren land. The implementation of a drip irrigation system has completely transformed the landscape, now lush with vegetation.
The 520-hectare complex features terraced vineyards, cherry and apple orchards, and newly established forest plantations. All saplings were imported from France and represent high-yield varieties.
“Those who doubted our ability to cultivate hilly and steppe lands should see this garden,” the President remarked.
The complex is projected to produce 7,500 tons of agricultural products annually, with an estimated export potential of $5 million. It has already created 100 permanent and over 1,000 seasonal jobs. A French agronomist oversees sapling development and trains local youth in agricultural techniques and market demands.
To attract tourists and boost the local economy, the complex includes a 120-seat restaurant and a 100-person hotel. Construction is underway on an agro-logistics center, a training center, and facilities for processing and storing produce.
Officials briefed the President on plans to develop similar complexes in other mountainous regions.
The President instructed authorities to establish irrigation in new areas and allocate land to residents for establishing orchards, thereby creating income opportunities for the local population.