Trouble ahead - Karimov pledges support for small business The President of Uzbekistan talked about the need to protect small business owners during his address in Qarshi. Farmers warn their fellow citizens – be vigilant, trouble may be ahead. Islam Karimov visited Qashqadaryo province on September 27 and replaced the regional khokim (administrator) – Turab Jurbaev – with the agriculture and water minister of Uzbekistan, Zafar Ruziev. Local analysts believe this change is due to a series of tragic events concerning young people which have recently occurred during the cotton harvest. On September 9, 16-year-old Mukhlisa Razhabova, a college student, died from electric shock after touching an exposed wire in Qashqadaryo. On September 16, Akrom Urolov, a sophomore at Qarshi State University, stabbed a student to death and wounded three others during a fight. Official news reports about Mr. Karimov’s trip made no mention of these incidents. During his official address to the Assembly of Qashqadaryo People’s Deputies, the president spoke about strong economic signs within the region, but also chided those present for a lag in the production of certain competitive products. The Uzbek state TV channel broadcast a program about the president’s visit to Qashqadaryo a day later. It showed Mr. Karimov meeting with a group of farmers from the region, who appear terrified and barely able to get through their memorized lines. The president appeared as always imposing and relaxed, and spoke of the many opportunities business owners enjoy in Uzbekistan. He promised his personal protection of their businesses and urged them to let him know if they feel overburdened by local regulations. The attendees reacted to his words with visible enthusiasm. However, some still remember Mr. Karimov saying similar things to the country’s farmers in 2002. Eleven years later many farmers and citizens, who have nothing to do with farming, have been turned into cotton slaves. In the beginning … The life of farmers started changing after a presidential address in 2002. For the worse. Cotton subsidies were decreased, eventually impoverishing many farmers. In 2004 the government began taking away not just the cotton itself, but its byproducts, such as seeds, seed oil meal and seed hulls, robbing the farmers of the opportunity to supplement their income. In February 2004, the government adopted a decree establishing a market mechanism for farming byproducts, thus guaranteeing more cotton profits for the government. A stock market for farming byproducts was established. In 2008 these byproducts started being redirected into the cattle industry, and farmers stopped receiving any additional income. Nothing to lose and nothing to be afraid of … Having been robbed of opportunities to actually make money by producing cotton, farmers say that they are no longer afraid of anything or anyone. They talk about the visit of the prime minister’s deputy, Uktam Tursunov, to a farm this past summer. Mr. Tursunov gain notoriety three years ago when he forced a farmer in the Pakhtakorskiy region of Jizzakh province to dig his own grave. This year no one was afraid of him. On one of his official visits, Mr. Tursunov witnessed an argument between a farmer and a farm equipment repair mechanic. The tractor needed a new part, but neither the farmer nor the mechanic had any money to purchase this part. The farmer suggested trading one ton of harvested seed in exchange for the needed part. Mr. Tursunov asked the farmer why he did not have any cash. When the farmer explained his situation, Tursunov got so angry that he began to beat him. Mr. Tursunov, is a petite man of 60 kilos and 160 cm, and no match for a man twice his size. When the farmer simply asked him to spare his liver Mr. Tursunov left the farmer alone and drove away. The farmer smiled and asked to be served lunch with a shot of vodka. This is the state of farming in the country today. What should business owners expect in the future? Uznews.net uznews.net/news_single.php?lng=en&sub=top&cid=30&nid=23955
Posted on: Sun, 06 Oct 2013 15:59:07 +0000
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