In Uzbekistan, a decision has been made to expand state support for potato farming. The corresponding decree "On additional measures to increase potato production and develop seed production" was signed on September 8, reports EastFruit. According to the document, by 2030, it is planned to increase the average potato yield in the country from the current 16–17 tons to 25–30 tons per hectare. Starting from January 1, 2026, the state will provide loans to cover the costs associated with growing the vegetable, up to 50% of the crop value. It can be assumed that the authorities of Uzbekistan do not want to repeat the fate of Belarus, where a real potato crisis erupted this year. At the same time, prices for the vegetable have significantly increased both in Belarus and in Russia. The Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko began to gather emergency meetings and threaten punishment to retail outlets where potatoes would be absent from the shelves. The last such meeting was held at the ...