Will farmers' land be given to the Chinese? (video)

A video recently circulating on social networks shows an official in the Urgut district of the Samarkand region claiming that the land of farmers who refuse to plant crops will be transferred to Chinese entities. The Ministry of Agriculture has officially denied this statement.

According to the ministry, first and foremost, under Article 3 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Farming,” a farm is defined as a business entity that leases land plots, produces agricultural products, and engages in other legally permitted activities. Furthermore, Article 22 of this law strictly prohibits interference in the operations of farms by government bodies, other organizations, or their officials.

Secondly, as stated in Article 24 of the Land Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, early termination of a land lease agreement may only occur through mutual consent or a court decision. Therefore, any attempt to strip farmers of their land through external pressure, threats, or coercion is a clear violation of current legislation.

Thirdly, Article 16 of the Land Code affirms that all land within the territory of Uzbekistan is state property. Land ownership is strictly regulated, and transferring land to foreign citizens or legal entities as private property is strictly prohibited. As such, claims regarding land being allocated to Chinese citizens or companies are unfounded, illegal, and false.

The ministry further noted that some of the statements made in the video contradict both the policies of the Ministry of Agriculture and the legislation of Uzbekistan. Relevant authorities are currently taking measures to legally assess the situation.

“The Ministry of Agriculture once again reaffirms its firm commitment to ensuring peaceful, stable, and lawful operations for all farms, agro-firms, and agro-clusters, while protecting their rights and treating them fairly and equally,” the statement read.

The ministry emphasized that while attracting investment and introducing modern agricultural technologies are important objectives, such processes must be based on voluntariness, legality, and equality. Farmers and entrepreneurs are encouraged to be aware of their rights and take legal action against any unlawful interference. In such cases, they are urged to contact the Ministry of Agriculture or the prosecutor’s office.

It should be recalled that earlier reports claimed 31 mines in the Navoi region had been sold to Chinese entities. However, the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology's Center for Subsoil Use later clarified that, in February of this year, 31 subsoil plots for the prospecting of precious metals were sold for 25.1 billion soums via the "E-auction" trading platform. Not a single LLC fully owned by Chinese citizens won the auction.