Egypt and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing agricultural cooperation, focusing on food security and sustainable farming solutions, in a move that underscores growing South-South collaboration.
Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, hosted Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Mansurbek Kilichev, for high-level talks in Cairo, where both sides explored deepening bilateral ties in agricultural development.
Farouk spoke of the long-standing relationship between the two countries, noting that Egypt stands ready to provide full technical assistance and expertise to support mutual efforts. He pointed to Egypt’s extensive experience in modern agricultural practices, including scientific research and advanced technology applications, as a strong foundation for collaboration.
Talks between the two officials highlighted preparations underway to formalize cooperation through memoranda of understanding, particularly in areas such as plant health regulations and joint agricultural research.
Ambassador Kilichev emphasized Uzbekistan’s interest in tapping into Egypt’s agricultural strengths, with a particular focus on cotton farming and the development of high-yield seed varieties, including potatoes. Uzbek companies, he noted, are keen on testing Egyptian potato strains to evaluate their adaptability to Uzbekistan’s growing conditions.
Discussions also extended to other sectors, including sugar beet cultivation, fertilizer production—especially urea—and lessons from Egypt’s desert farming successes. Egypt’s innovations in groundwater management and modern irrigation systems were highlighted as models that could inform Uzbekistan’s agricultural transformation.
Farouk welcomed the potential visit of Uzbek agricultural specialists to Egypt, saying it would allow for hands-on exchanges and the transfer of practical knowledge to support ongoing cooperation.
The partnership reflects a broader trend of collaboration between African and Central Asian nations, driven by shared challenges in climate resilience, food production, and sustainable land use.