Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Tashkent is hosting the second National Forum "Uzbekistan on the way to development: transformation of agricultural and food research" for representatives of research and management institutions of the republic, participants in the agricultural sector.

The forum is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the National Center for Knowledge and Innovation in Agriculture (AKIS) and the International Center for Strategic Development and Research in Food and Agriculture (ISCAD) with financial and technical support from the European Union (EU), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the EU ASK Facility Program and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Participants of the National Forum for Agricultural and Food Research took part in the seminar in three sections. It:

- Food security and nutrition;

- Sustainable management of water and land resources and climate change;

- Value chain, export and import, market.

The participants also exchanged views on the expected results of ongoing research and the steps to be taken to achieve them.

Proposals were made on sustainable water and land use, increasing the level of agricultural mechanization through the development of research on climate change, the development of energy and resource-saving, agro-smart technological means, and the use of combined units.

One of the key outcomes for participants in the food safety research development event was the achievement of long-term food sustainability. For this purpose, ensuring the availability of food for all and the possession of sufficient energy was chosen as a priority.

The third section showed that special attention should be paid to such processes as the value chain, export and import, market research, patenting and copyright protection for agricultural products, as well as the study and application of production standards.

It is expected that on the agenda of the second day of the National Forum will be the definition of the management and coordination needs necessary for the effective operation of the strategic directions of the National Agricultural and Food Research Program, and its integration with other innovative sectors. It is also planned that the participants will determine the financing and investment mechanisms for the implementation of strategic directions and opportunities.

The results of the forum will be used to develop the structure, mechanisms for harmonization, implementation and financing of the National Program for Agricultural and Food Research.