Growing Cooperation in Agriculture between Uzbekistan and The Netherlands
The Netherlands and Uzbekistan are excellent partners in many ways. As for agriculture both countries share a long tradition. Agro Food in particular is a priority sector of Uzbek–Dutch cooperation, and together with the Uzbek government, knowledge and research institutes, the private sector and with the support of the international financial organisations, The Netherlands contribute to the further development of the horticultural and livestock sectors in Uzbekistan.
On 9-13 March 2020 the Netherlands Agricultural Trade Mission to Uzbekistan organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands took place in Tashkent and Samarkand. It was the third agricultural mission since 2018. The trade mission was led by Director for International Agribusiness & Food Security Michiel van Erkel of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture and by Agricultural Counsellor Meeuwes Brouwer. The Mission consisted of Dutch companies active in different agricultural sectors including dairy, poultry, animal feed, various types of agricultural machinery, turnkey greenhouse construction, greenhouse equipment, biological crop protection and nature pollination, potatoes, vegetable seeds, fruit and berry trees and others.
Uzbek Agricultural Strategy 2020 - 2030
A 5-day programme of the trade mission included a networking reception in Tashkent; the meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at learning about the current state of development, a new Uzbek Agricultural Strategy 2020 - 2030 and upcoming projects in agriculture in Uzbekistan; two Agro Business Forums combined with making B2B matchmeetings between Dutch and Uzbek agribusinesses in Tashkent and Samarkand; a visit to the 15th International Agricultural Exhibition “AgroWorld Uzbekistan 2020”, and visits to several Uzbek agribusinesses located in Samarkand region.
New Agri-Food Development Strategy
One of the most valuable events of the program was the Morning Session with representatives of international (financial) institutions including EU Delegation, World Bank, IFC, ADB, EBRD, and DAI (USAID) where the participants could discuss current economic developments in Uzbekistan with major focus on agriculture and support programs available in this area. Adrian Neal, a representative of Linpico project, delivered a presentation on a new Agri-Food Development Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020 – 2030 and UZ government support programs for agriculture and opportunities for the agribusiness. The participants found this kind of information relevant and useful for them. You also can get acquainted with the content of the presentations delivered by the international (financial) institutions at the Morning Session here.
