Indonesia, Uzbekistan expand cooperation on agriculture development

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Oleh Baheramsyah, Selasa, 22 Agustus 2017 | 15:37 WIB - Redaktur: Filmon Warouw - 1K


Jakarta, InfoPublik – Uzbekistan, the 56th largest country in the world, is located in both Central Asia and East Europe region. The country is advanced in agricultural sector and has 1 million hectare of cotton field and 1 million hectare of fishpond that use rainfall harvesting system.

In addition, the management of drip irrigation in the country supports the production and export of fruits and vegetables to 80 countries.

"Uzbekistan has been a potential market for Indonesian coconut, palm oil, tea, rubber, coffee, and pineapple export," said Indonesia Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman after having a meeting with the Uzbekistan Deputy Prime Minister in Jakarta on Monday (8/21).

Zoir Mirzaev, the Uzbekistan Deputy Prime Minister and concurrent Agriculture and Water Resources Minister, visited Indonesia by the order of the President of Uzbekistan. Indonesia is considered as a country that succeeds on its food self-sufficiency program, especially on rice, corn, onion, and chili production. The country is also able to manage agricultural resources effectively to meet the food needs of 258 million people.

"Indonesia's success story in achieving self-sufficiency is well known to Uzbekistan so they are really willing to build a good and mutually beneficial agricultural partnership," Amran said.

The meeting agreed to optimize the cooperation of both countries by focusing on five activities. The first activity is the exchange of researchers and students. Second, Uzbekistan expected Indonesia to transfer its technology on pepper, spice, soybean, and proposed the exchange of genetic sources of soybeans.

Third, Indonesia will adopt irrigation technology from Uzbekistan. Fourth, Indonesia expected Uzbekistan to support the positive campaign of palm oil. And fifth, Indonesia invited Uzbekistan investors to invest in sugarcane, sugar, cow, and corn commodities.

Furthermore, Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman planned to make a return visit to Uzbekistan next year. (Translator: Erik Limantara)