CABI News

28 April 2017 – CABI and the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (MAWR) of the Republic of Uzbekistan have established a formal partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 19 April 2017 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The partnership aims to facilitate improved cooperation for the economic development of Uzbekistan in areas of sustainable agriculture. This will involve development of policy guidelines, joint research and technology exchange, information sharing, and capacity building in agricultural science and technology development, with a particular focus on plant biosecurity.

Mr Shuxrat Teshaev, Deputy Minister of MAWR stressed that, “Under the current transforming phase, rural development, diversification of agriculture sector and nutrition security, and agricultural technology innovation are the top priorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Cooperation with international organisations such as CABI would contribute to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector of the Republic of Uzbekistan.”

Representing CABI, Dr Dennis Rangi, Director General Development said, “We are excited to enter into this partnership. Working together with all the stakeholders in the country, CABI can help strengthen Uzbekistan’s plant health system and develop a strategic plan as well as build capacity in SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) compliance. This will contribute to the trade and improvement of farmers’ income and livelihood in the country and the region.”

Immediately following the MoU signing, the CABI delegation made visits and held meetings with a wide range of stakeholders, including Tashkent State Agrarian University, the Scientific Research Institution of Horticulture, Viticulture, and Winemaking, and the Uzbek Scientific Production Center of Agriculture. Research and development challenges along the agricultural value chain were discussed and collaboration areas were identified.

This partnership enables CABI to cooperate with a number of regional, national and local stakeholders and international consortiums to develop agricultural value chains and promote trade in Central Asia. This will also contribute to the overall achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

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