The European Union Delegation in Uzbekistan and UNDP handed over equipment to the Fisheries Research Institute on March 5th to support more sustainable fish farming methods, as reported by the UN Development Program in Uzbekistan.
The equipment includes water quality monitoring devices, recirculating aquaculture systems for filtration and purification, and solar water heaters. It is expected to reduce water consumption, enhance its quality, and increase energy efficiency on fish farms, creating favorable conditions for fish breeding.
Vim Riepma, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of installing filters for water purification and disinfection to improve water quality and fish health. The filters also contribute to environmental improvement by reducing the discharge of pollutants. Additionally, the use of solar water heaters, which significantly improve fish growth in the early stages of development, helps save electricity.
UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Anas Karman noted the significantly low fish consumption in the country - 3.5-4 kg per capita per year, much below the WHO recommended 16 kg and the national standard of 12 kg. Outdated, extensive fish farming technologies limiting production are the cause. To address this issue, a presidential decree was signed in 2022 to develop and support the fish industry.
The UNDP EU-AGRIN project, funded by the EU and implemented by UNDP, supports these efforts through the Aquaculture Innovation Group led by the Fisheries Research Institute. The group will implement and test water recirculation technologies, pool heating with solar collectors, and other modern fish farming solutions.
The Innovation Group is also implementing an oxygenation system in the water to maintain favorable conditions for fish growth and development. The equipment provided by the EU is expected to contribute to the advancement of scientific research and education quality, particularly through the Fisheries Research Institute and the Besharyk Professional School in the Fergana region, aiming to scale up project results.
