On September 5-6, the international forum on Landlocked Developing Countries on Food Security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) brought together representatives from 32 developing nations and international organizations, as well as scientists, in the Uzbek capital. Among the prominent attendees is Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Union Commissioner for Agriculture, who shared his insights in an interview with Daryo.
When asked about Uzbekistan's agricultural development, Commissioner Wojciechowski emphasized the country’s progress in addressing the food security challenges posed by its growing population.
“All countries are experiencing demographic growth, and food security is becoming increasingly important. Uzbekistan’s efforts to increase food production and ensure security offer a model for other nations,” he noted.
Wojciechowski praised Uzbekistan's advances in irrigation, highlighting how essential it is for agricultural activities.
“Without irrigation, farming in many areas is impossible. This is a valuable lesson for European countries as we face increasing drought due to climate change,” he added.
The Commissioner stressed the importance of improved water management and knowledge sharing between Uzbekistan and the EU to address water scarcity.
Despite being landlocked, Uzbekistan's cooperation with neighboring countries and its focus on removing trade barriers have helped mitigate some challenges, according to Wojciechowski.
"Free trade without barriers yields great results. Uzbekistan's collaboration with its neighbors is crucial to overcoming the difficulties of its landlocked status," he said.
Regarding Uzbekistan's outdated irrigation systems, which exacerbate water shortages, Wojciechowski suggested reforms focusing on reducing water waste. He praised Uzbekistan's extensive experience in irrigation and called for deeper cooperation with the EU.
"We can learn from Uzbekistan. At the same time, Europe is ready to share its knowledge on modern water management and conservation techniques," the Commissioner said.
Wojciechowski also highlighted that transitioning to a market system is a common challenge for countries like Uzbekistan, Poland, and others in Eastern Europe.
"Sharing agricultural experiences is important to avoid past mistakes," he said.
He emphasized the need to diversify the agricultural sector by increasing the role of small farmers and focusing more on local markets.
"The European Union’s ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy could be a useful model for Uzbekistan, encouraging closer ties between farmers and regional buyers," he added.
Wojciechowski expressed optimism about future trade opportunities between the EU and Uzbekistan, encouraging further collaboration to strengthen ties.
“The European Union is the largest producer and exporter of food products in the world. We are interested in trade without barriers. Of course, there are a number of requirements, that is, attention is paid to quality and safety,” he stated.
Despite geographical and transport limitations, he remained confident that these challenges can be overcome through cooperation.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)