Field Monitoring of Seed Potato Production Conducted in Bazar-Korgon District

On 17 July 2026, field monitoring was conducted in Arslanbob village, Bazar-Korgon District, as part of the seed potato value chain scheme. The visit focused on assessing the condition of seed potato fields, identifying phytosanitary risks, and providing farmers with practical agronomic support.

In 2026, 60 farmers from Bazar-Korgon District are participating in the seed potato scheme. During the field visit, project experts Elvira Suvanova and Sherzod Abdurahmanov, together with seed potato coordinator Ularbek Botokaraev, visited and monitored seven farms.

Several important improvements were introduced to the scheme this year. The volume of seed material provided to each farmer was increased from 100 kg to 200 kg. Farmers received high-quality Elite-class seed potatoes, primarily the Paradiso variety, as well as the Riviera variety for interested participants.

The scheme also introduced a flexible 50/50 co-financing arrangement. Farmers pay 50% of the seed cost before planting and the remaining 50% after harvesting and selling their produce. This approach helps reduce the financial burden on smallholder farmers at the beginning of the agricultural season.

At the time of monitoring, the potato crops were in active vegetation. Due to prolonged and heavy rainfall in the region, localized signs of late blight were observed on some Riviera fields. At the same time, the main project variety, Paradiso, demonstrated strong adaptability and high resistance to fungal diseases, with no signs of late blight observed on the monitored fields.

Farmers had already taken preventive measures by applying fungicides against diseases and insecticides against the Colorado potato beetle. During the visits, experts provided additional recommendations on crop protection, field management, and monitoring of phytosanitary conditions.

The monitoring also highlighted the potential for farmers to multiply their own seed material. According to expert estimates, 200 kg of Elite seed potatoes are sufficient to plant approximately 5-7 sotok of land. By the end of the season, farmers may obtain around 1,000-1,200 kg of first-generation R1 seed material, creating an opportunity to expand their production areas in the following year without purchasing the same volume of Elite seed again.

Farmers positively assessed the quality of the seed material and the agronomic support provided through the scheme. At the same time, they recommended increasing the amount of Elite seed provided in future seasons to up to 1 tonne per farm, which would allow them to develop larger commercial seed potato production.

Farmers also proposed introducing integrated technology packages that would combine seed potatoes, mineral fertilizers, and crop protection products. According to the farmers, this would simplify procurement and help ensure timely access to the necessary agricultural inputs.

The farmers further recommended maintaining the 50/50 co-financing model in future seasons, noting that deferred payment of part of the seed cost makes the scheme more accessible for smallholder farms.

Based on the monitoring results, SKS Jalal-Abad specialists were advised to continue monitoring late blight on Riviera fields and assess the effectiveness of the protective treatments already applied. The possibility of developing integrated input packages, including seeds, specialized fertilizers, and crop protection products, will also be explored with Agro Oonoktoш for the next planting seas