Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Representatives from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture visited the United States to ensure food security and strengthen cooperation in this area.

During their business trip, the delegation met with representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — Gustavo Ferreira and Jake Willemin.

The meeting focused on food security, export operations, and the reform of agricultural financing mechanisms.

Special attention was given to the need for a balanced approach to import and export policies to enable Uzbekistan to become an active participant in the international market.

Bilateral and multilateral trade agreements play a crucial role in strengthening international trade relations. In this context, USDA representatives emphasized the importance of expanding Uzbekistan's involvement in the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), which would be a significant step toward the country’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The discussions also included opportunities for collaboration in creating and managing modern quarantine and plant protection laboratories.

An agreement was reached to enhance the training of Uzbek specialists in the U.S. on laboratory diagnostics and diagnostic devices, as well as to send American specialists to share experience in the regions of Oralkul and the Ferghana Valley.

The export of Uzbek products to the U.S., including cherries, melons, legumes, and raisins, was also discussed. U.S. representatives indicated that technical issues related to melon imports have been resolved, and once legal procedures are completed, the opportunity to enter the U.S. market will be available.

In the second part of the meeting, experience was exchanged on agricultural financing systems and mechanisms in the U.S. American specialists highlighted the importance of accounting for natural disasters and crop losses in agricultural insurance, sharing formulas and examples of damage compensation.

As a result of the meeting, an agreement was reached to further deepen cooperation between the Ministries of Agriculture of Uzbekistan and the U.S., exchange experiences, and implement modern technologies in Uzbekistan's agriculture.