BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 10
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Uzbekistan plans to study the possibility of participation of Uzbekistan in Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), Trend reports referring to the press service of Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan.
The issue was discussed during a videoconference held between the Minister of Agriculture Jamshid Khodjaev and European Union Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Janusz Wojciechowski, who heads the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI).
Wojciechowski noted that Uzbekistan is an important strategic partner for the European Union, which will continue to work together in the field of agriculture and solving the problems of the Aral Sea, supporting the transition to the "green course" necessary for sustainable development.
The minister noted that over the past 18 months, tangible progress has been made on key reforms in Uzbekistan, including the gradual abolition of the government procurement system for cotton and wheat, which is also closely linked to the government's intention and commitment to abolish all forms of forced labor.
In addition, the EU's contribution to the development of a new agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS) for Uzbekistan, covering agricultural research, education, and the creation of new advisory services for farms, was noted.
“As far as we know, a new network has now been created, known as Smart AKIS, which is a Smart Farming thematic network. This network is supported through funding from EU Horizon 2020 as well as the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI),” the minister said
Khodjaev expressed a desire to study the possibility of Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries participating in this network.
Wojciechowski supported these proposals and expressed readiness to consider the participation of Uzbekistan in other EU research networks and groups in the field of agriculture, which could allow the exchange of research knowledge and experience, raise the awareness of Uzbek researchers about the international practice and innovative technologies in the field of agriculture.
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