She noted that local farmers are experiencing difficulties in selling their product due to the influx of cheap rice of smuggled origin from Uzbekistan.
In response, the deputy asked what measures the Ministry of Agriculture plans to take to address this issue.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Bakyt Torobaev replied that this issue would be discussed with the Border Service. He also mentioned that Uzbek colleagues had indeed approached with a request regarding the possibility of exporting rice.
“This is the first time I hear about rice smuggling from Uzbekistan,” he added.
During the meeting, information from the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic regarding preparations for spring field and economic activities in 2026 was also considered.
