Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Today, the "Forum on the Development of Uzbekistan’s Food Industry and Japan" took place in Tashkent. The forum was organized jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Japan and the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan.

The forum was attended by government officials and business representatives from both countries. During the event, participants discussed new opportunities for mutual development and cooperation in agriculture and the food industry.

Since 2015, Japan and Uzbekistan have been striving to expand cooperation in agriculture and food sectors, marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Uzbekistan’s economy, constituting 24.3% of GDP in 2023. This sector continues to demonstrate steady growth. According to the Agency of Statistics under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in 2023, agricultural production increased by 4.1%, forestry by 2.7%, and fisheries by 7.4%. For comparison, growth rates in 2022 were 3.6%, 2.7%, and 1.7%, respectively.

While agriculture represents a small part of Japan’s overall production volume, the country boasts a highly developed agri-food sector. With only 20% of its land suitable for agriculture, Japan has developed world-leading technologies and methods for cultivating agricultural crops, which increase crop yields while enhancing efficiency and sustainability.

Mr. Masaoyesi Mizuno from the Ministry of Agriculture of Japan and Mr. Jamoliddin Babakhanov from the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan delivered welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony. They were joined by Shokhrukh Gulamov, Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, and Takashi Hattori, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Uzbekistan.

Representatives from the Japanese government and business community presented Japanese agricultural technologies and discussed the potential for implementing these technologies in Uzbekistan. Japanese partners are interested in providing high-quality, innovative seeds to Uzbek farmers.

During the discussions, representatives of the Uzbekistan government and business community highlighted the country’s recent achievements in agricultural practices, particularly in the development of aquaculture and organic farming. These achievements help Uzbekistan attract additional foreign investments and technology transfer. Japan remains a key partner for further development in this sector.

Parallel to the forum, a special exhibition of Japanese cuisine titled "Cuisine of Longevity" showcased Japanese food products, including short-grain rice, shrimp, and green tea. The food exhibition brought the globally renowned food culture of Japan to Tashkent.