Australia has a population of 23 million, Uzbekistan 30 million. Australia produces about 15,000 tonnes of sweet cherries per year, Uzbekistan produces 84,000 tonnes. Uzbekistan in Central Asia borders Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan to the south and Kazakhstan to the north. This area is most famous for being the origin of sweet cherries.
Early in November I had the privilege of showing a visitor from Uzbekistan some cherry orchards in north-east Victoria.
Shukrat Abrorov had been working for the USAID (United Sates Agency for International Development) Aglinks project. The main task of the project is to help Uzbek fruit growers to increase production and quality of the fruits that they produce.
Shukrat is mainly interested in sweet cherries and apples and is a grower in his own right.
He spent a few days in the Goulburn Valley and was well looked after by Bas van den Ende and, as he had not driven on the left side of the road, Bas drove him across to meet me.
On Friday 7 November I had arranged a visit to Wandin Valley Farms through Graeme Sebire, which Shukrat enjoyed very much. He was very interested in pruning systems and cherry rootstocks.
Merchant were being harvested, with Royal Dawn coming on quickly given the temperatures in the 30s. Both varieties enjoyed a solid crop and no rain damage. Shukrat was very impressed.
Following on we visited Taminick Orchards and briefly met Andrew Smith. Although harvesting and packing had finished for the day and deliveries being made, Andrew pointed us in the direction to see Merchant and other varieties that were within walking distance to the packing shed.
As Shukrat had been in e-mail contact with Cherryhill Orchards and had no working mobile phone here, I contacted them to arrange a time to visit on Saturday.
As Cliff was picking up an international visitor in Lilydale, I arranged for Shukrat to stay at a motel there. Elaine and I were to travel to Melbourne to babysit—so it was convenient for us to take Shukrat to Lilydale.
Next morning Cliff picked up Shukrat and showed him the Wandin orchard the u-pick operation and packing shed.
Although packing had finished for the day, next day it was going again and also a visit to the new block.
Cliff also took Shukrat to the Healesville Sanctuary where he was able to see our native birds and animals at close quarters.
Cliff then rang Steve Chapman and arranged a visit at Chappies Choice, and so Shukrat was able to see a closely-planted, well managed cherry block.
Shukrat had worked for a couple of years in California and knew many of the same people that cherry travellers know. It was Lynn Long who suggested that Shukrat visit Australia to get some ideas for the future.
Thanks
Thanks on behalf of Shukrat to Bas van den Ende, Graeme Sebire, Andrew Smith, Cliff Riseborough and Steve Chapman for their time and dedication in being hospitable to our international cherry friend.
I am sure we will see more of him and his friends in future.
Shukrat made contact with me through this column, with a request for the contact details of Bas van den Ende. Seems it is a small world after all.
see Tree Fruit November 2014
