By Faridat Salifu
Iran and Uzbekistan are strengthening efforts to make agricultural trade more efficient and secure through coordinated technical and scientific collaboration.
Officials from both countries’ plant protection agencies discussed measures to prevent pest outbreaks and ensure the safe movement of crops across borders.
Maryam Jalili-Moghaddam, head of Iran’s Plant Protection Organization, said her agency is ready to share its experience in pest management, quarantine procedures, and scientific research with Uzbekistan.
She said close collaboration between the two countries’ agencies could reduce technical trade barriers and improve the overall safety of exported agricultural products.
Jalili-Moghaddam also highlighted the importance of joint training programs, technical workshops, and regular expert exchanges to maintain high standards in plant health management.
On the Uzbek side, Ibrohim Ergashev, head of the Plant Protection and Quarantine Agency, recognized Iran’s expertise and disciplined approach in managing agricultural exports.
Ergashev stressed that modernizing procedures, including digital record-keeping and electronic communication between agencies, could accelerate trade and build confidence between Iranian and Uzbek businesses.
Both officials agreed that continuous technical dialogue and structured cooperation are necessary to monitor plant health, coordinate quarantine efforts, and share best practices.
They also explored ways to integrate scientific research into trade procedures, including risk assessments and preventive measures for pests that could affect both countries’ crops.
The discussions coincide with broader efforts to expand bilateral trade in agriculture, including potential agreements to streamline customs processes and improve logistics networks.
Earlier visits by Uzbek and Iranian officials to provincial trade and business centers reinforced the need for cooperation, highlighting opportunities for joint industrial and logistical support to facilitate smoother agricultural exchanges.
Senior Iranian representatives, including officials from the Trade Promotion Organization and the Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization, are supporting these initiatives to ensure technical solutions are aligned with broader trade objectives.