Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 16 September 2024, the 25th meeting of the CIS Intergovernmental Coordinating Council on Seed Production took place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, according to the press service of the CIS Executive Committee.

The event was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan.

Delegates from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, along with representatives from the CIS Executive Committee and the Seed Production and Science Association (Seed Association), participated in the meeting.

The Minister of Agriculture of Turkmenistan, Chetyev Ch.P., welcomed the attendees, along with greetings from Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan.

Ilkhom Tuichievich Nematov, Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Independent States, addressed the participants, emphasizing the crucial role of the council in facilitating the interstate supply of high-quality seeds, workforce development for the industry, harmonizing legal frameworks, and creating unified information registries for approved crop varieties.

"I believe that the council will eventually develop common approaches, from breeding to the introduction of seed innovations, considering the growth of agricultural productivity and regional specialization within CIS countries. This will involve the participation of scientific and breeding centers across the region," said Nematov. He also highlighted the importance of stimulating demand for seeds and planting materials produced within CIS member states.

The meeting agenda included 15 topics focused on cooperation in seed production, as well as the state of breeding, variety testing, and nursery practices. Discussions covered the interstate supply of agricultural seeds and planting material for fruit and berry crops, food security, and training and professional development in the sector.

Participants expressed strong interest in the discussions, and I.I. Kuzmin urged all council members, commission chairs, scientists, and specialists to engage constructively to implement the decisions made, with a focus on achieving the seed and planting material supply targets for 2026–2030. He underscored that high-quality seeds are the cornerstone of a nation’s food security.

Decisions were adopted on all items of the agenda during the 25th session of the council.