Uzbekistan and Jordan Sign Agricultural Science Agreement

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and Jordan signed a memorandum of understanding in Amman on agricultural research and the exchange of plant and animal genetic resources, Dunyo News Agency reported, citing Jordanian news agency Al Mashhad Al Youm.

The agreement was signed between Jordan's Ministry of Agriculture, the National Centre for Agricultural Research, and the Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute under the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan. The document was signed as part of an executive cooperation program between the agricultural ministries of the two countries following a prior high-level visit.

Jordanian Minister of Agriculture Dr. Saeb Abdel Halim Al-Khureisat welcomed the Uzbek delegation, which included representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan. He noted the high level of bilateral relations and highlighted the significance of the agreement for scientific cooperation.

Al-Khureisat said the memorandum aims to strengthen cooperation between research centers in agricultural science, the sustainable use and exchange of genetic resources for food and agriculture, knowledge sharing, and research capability development.

The agreement covers joint research and experiments to evaluate and improve promising plant species and varieties, the exchange of scientific and technical expertise, and mutual visits by researchers and specialists.

During the meeting, the Jordanian side presented Uzbek partners with seed samples of grain and vegetable crops from the National Seed Bank. The samples are resistant to soil and irrigation water salinity and are intended for research programs and agricultural experiments to develop varieties adapted to such conditions.

In turn, Uzbek representatives provided the Jordanian side with seed samples of grain and vegetable crops for the introduction and acclimatization of salt-tolerant varieties under plant genetic resource exchange programs.

Additionally, Jordan transferred a number of Awassi sheep to the Uzbek side to use their genetic potential in breeding improvement and livestock development programs.

Uzbek representatives expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture of Jordan and the National Centre for Agricultural Research for assisting in the development of bilateral agricultural cooperation, according to Dunyo.