Uzbek minister highlights agricultural projects with Azerbaijan

Uzbekistan is working with Azerbaijani specialists to explore the potential for growing olives and hazelnuts, Uzbek Agriculture Minister Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov told Uzbekistan 24 TV.

He said that more than 1,200 seedlings were already being tested in special orchards, while scientists were working to adapt them to Uzbekistan’s climatic conditions, according to local media.

The minister noted that Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have established close cooperation, with the relevant agencies interacting on an almost daily basis.

He identified the introduction of an agricultural risk insurance system as one of the key areas of cooperation. According to Abdurakhmonov, Uzbekistan studied Azerbaijan’s experience, adapted it to national conditions and has already adopted the relevant legislation.

“We are actively developing exports of fruit and vegetable products. Since the beginning of the year, trade turnover between the countries has increased by almost 70%. Trade houses have been opened in Baku, where we showcase Uzbek fruits, vegetables and dried fruits. The Azerbaijani side is creating broad opportunities for this,” Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov emphasised.

He noted that, as part of the program to restore Fuzuli and the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan as a whole, Uzbekistan is participating in the establishment of a 100-hectare pomegranate orchard.

“At the same time, a new project to establish a large orchard has been launched in the Namangan region, with its produce intended for the Azerbaijani market,” the minister added.

By Jeyhun Aghazada