Iran ready to expand agricultural cooperation with EAEU members
Iran’s deputy agriculture minister Akbar Fathi said Iran was ready to use its existing capacities to expand bilateral and multilateral agricultural cooperation with members of the Eurasian Economic Union, IRNA reported.
Speaking at the seventh meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union’s Agro-Industrial Policy Council in Almaty on Sunday, Fathi said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to use existing capacities to develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation in agriculture and cooperate with member states of the Eurasian Economic Union to increase trade and investment, transfer technology and develop agricultural value chains.”
Fathi highlighted Iran’s capacities in agriculture, food processing, greenhouse production, agricultural machinery and halal food, saying agricultural cooperation could increase trade, joint investment and create new markets for agricultural products.
He said there was scope for expanded agricultural trade and joint investment among EAEU members, including through extraterritorial farming and the use of the bloc’s natural resources, farmland and production capacity.
The EAEU comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.
He also called for identifying market opportunities, removing trade barriers and strengthening ties between the private sectors of member states to facilitate agricultural exports and imports.
“Joint production and agricultural projects in countries with capacity can help ensure a stable supply of needed products and inputs, while creating opportunities for greater private-sector participation and expanding economic cooperation among countries in the region,” he said.
Iran, Kazakhstan expand farm ties
On the sidelines of the meeting, an Iranian Agriculture Ministry delegation met with officials from Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Ministry to discuss expanding agricultural and trade ties, increasing agricultural product exchanges, strengthening private-sector cooperation and joint investment.
The two sides also emphasized extraterritorial farming in Kazakhstan, given its suitable farmland and rainfall, with a focus on producing grains, oilseeds and corn.
Exports of fruit, dried fruit and greenhouse products to Kazakhstan were also discussed.
Iran, Armenia discuss livestock
Fathi separately met Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan to discuss expanding agricultural and livestock cooperation, including imports of small livestock from Armenia, joint investment, greenhouse development and the use of Armenian pastureland.
The two sides reviewed ways to facilitate livestock trade while observing health and veterinary requirements. They also discussed joint investment opportunities in border areas and the development of greenhouse facilities.
The use of Armenian pastureland for livestock production was also discussed, with the two sides calling for further expert assessments and mechanisms for sustainable economic use.
Iran, Belarus discuss fertilizers
Fathi also met Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Yuri Gorlov to discuss cooperation on agricultural fertilizers, machinery, joint investment and agricultural and food trade.
The talks focused on expanding cooperation in the supply and trade of potash and phosphate fertilizers, as well as possible joint investment in the production and supply of agricultural inputs.
The two sides also discussed cooperation on agricultural machinery and equipment and ways to increase trade in chicken, dairy products and fruit.