THE ROLE OF THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN THE UZBEK SSR

Аннотация

This article highlights the role and importance of the chemical industry in the development of agriculture in the Uzbek SSR. Keywords: sulfuric acid and superphosphate production capacity, mineral fertilizer, mineral fertilizer production industry, sulfur pyrites, manganese, oil shale, barite, witherite, alunite, potassium salt, talc, kaolin, lime, pigments. The development of the chemical industry in the Uzbek SSR was closely linked to the goal of modernizing and improving agriculture. As part of the planned economy of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan became a major producer of raw cotton, one of the main crops of the USSR. To achieve high cotton yields, the government recognized the need for scientific and production methods in agriculture, especially through the expansion of the chemical industry. Uzbekistan's arid climate and low soil fertility created great difficulties for agriculture. To solve these problems, the chemical industry focused on the production of mineral fertilizers such as nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Large plants were built in Chirchik, Fergana, and other regions to produce ammonium nitrate, urea, superphosphate, and other important agricultural chemicals. By the 1970s and 1980s, Uzbekistan had become one of the largest consumers of fertilizers in the Soviet Union. The widespread use of fertilizers led to a significant increase in the productivity of not only cotton, but also wheat, corn, vegetables and fruits. This allowed the Uzbek SSR to play a more effective role in the food and textile sectors of the USSR. Another major task of the chemical industry was the production of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. These products were essential in protecting crops from pests, diseases and weeds, especially in cotton fields, where pests can have a significant impact on the yield. The use of plant protection chemicals was part of a broader agricultural strategy aimed at ensuring sustainable production levels. Specialized research institutes in Uzbekistan studied local pests and diseases, and targeted solutions were developed at chemical plants. While these chemicals were effective in the short term, their heavy use later raised environmental and health concerns, particularly due to overuse and misuse. Agricultural productivity in Uzbekistan relied heavily on extensive irrigation in the cotton-growing regions of the Fergana Valley, Khorezm, and Karakalpakstan. The chemical industry was 66 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference instrumental in supporting and improving irrigation systems by providing water treatment chemicals that prevented clogging, salinization, and bacterial growth in irrigation canals and reservoirs. Some chemical compounds were also used to improve soils damaged by salinization, a common problem in irrigated lands in Central Asia. These efforts helped to keep large areas of agricultural land in production despite difficult environmental conditions. The chemical industry also indirectly supported agriculture by supplying agricultural machinery, irrigation pipes, and lubricants, fuel additives, and plastics and synthetic materials for use in greenhouses. These materials were essential to modernizing agricultural infrastructure and reducing dependence on manual labor. For example, plastic drip irrigation systems were gradually introduced in experimental fields, and protective films helped extend the growing season in greenhouses. Chemical coatings also increased the durability of agricultural equipment. Cotton was not just an agricultural product; it was an important part of the Uzbek SSR economy. The state's ability to meet Soviet cotton quotas depended largely on the availability and efficiency of chemical resources. This dependence made the chemical industry one of the most strategically supported sectors in Uzbekistan, attracting significant investment from the central government. In return, agriculture provided a steady demand for chemical products, ensuring a stable level of production at chemical enterprises and providing thousands of jobs across the republic. While the chemical industry significantly increased agricultural production in the short term, it also led to negative consequences. The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides led to problems related to soil degradation, water pollution, and public health. These problems were especially acute in the regions around the Aral Sea, where agrochemical-based cotton monoculture led to one of the world's worst environmental disasters. Nevertheless, from the perspective of Soviet economic planning, the chemical industry's support for agriculture was seen as a success, allowing Uzbekistan to become a reliable source of cotton and food crops for the USSR. “In 1946, the opportunity arose to create new branches of the republic's chemical industry, to produce sulfuric acid and superphosphate” . The main focus was on the creation of new branches for the production of sulfuric a