Iran and Poland are seeking to expand cooperation in the agricultural sector, IRNA reported.
In a meeting between head of Iran’s Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) Eskandar Zand and Poland’s undersecretary of state for Africa, Asia and Middle East policy, public and economic diplomacy, Katarzyna Kacperczyk in Tehran last week, both sides expressed willingness to boost bilateral trade of agricultural products and exchange of technical know-how.
The agricultural sector in Iran employs 18-20% of the national labor force and accounts for 10-13% of gross domestic product (GDP), said the Iranian official, adding that more than 15 million hectares of land, including 2.5 million hectares of gardens are under cultivation across the country.
Noting that like many other countries, the agricultural sector in Iran is affected by shortage of water and climate change, he expressed hope that the two countries can reach agreements for transfer of technical know-how in this area.
Kacperczyk, for her part, highlighted Poland’s remarkable progress in food and agricultural industries over the past 25 years, expressing Warsaw’s readiness to cooperate with Iran in areas of food production, processing and storage.
She also expressed interest in discussing ways for entry of Polish products to Iranian markets and vice versa in future negotiations, adding that the two countries can cooperate in areas of dairy and meat products, particularly beef and poultry.
She said Poland is among the few European countries that produces meat in compliance with the Islamic rules.
In a bid to facilitate bilateral cooperation in the area of agricultural products and technology, Iran’s Plant Pests & Diseases Research Institute (IPPDRI) has prepared a draft agreement with Poland’s Plant Health Bureau, said IPPDRI’s head, Mohammad-Ali Baghestani, adding that the agreement is awaiting both parties approval.
“Both Iran and Poland are signatories to International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and the membership can serve as a basis for further agricultural-related cooperation between the two sides,” he noted.
A high-ranking business delegation from Poland comprised of representatives from 45 companies arrived in Tehran last week, seeking to expand business relations in areas including building construction, oil and gas, machinery and equipment, food and agriculture, green technologies and transportation.
