Meeting of the CIS Intergovernmental Agrarian Council

17.09.2024

On September 16, the next meeting of the CIS Intergovernmental Coordinating Council on Seed Production (ICCSP CIS) was held at the "Ýyldyz" hotel in the capital, attended by representatives of relevant ministries and departments, research and production centers from the Russian Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and other countries, as well as the CIS Executive Committee.

During the hybrid-format meeting, a wide range of issues related to further cooperation in the agricultural sector was discussed.

The Deputy Chairman of the ICCSP CIS, Doctor of Science, Academician Ivan Kuzmin, emphasized the fruitful nature of this organization's interaction with Turkmenistan, which is carrying out fundamental reforms in the agro-industrial complex.

The Chairman of the Council, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Grakun, noted that the further development of breeding and seed production in the CIS countries is of great importance for the agricultural sector, particularly in the production of products and ensuring their competitiveness in world markets.

Via digital communication, the Deputy Secretary General of the CIS Executive Committee Ilhom Nematov addressed the meeting participants, noting that Turkmenistan, being an active participant in the integration process within the CIS, is a steadily developing country and always approaches the organization of CIS events on its territory responsibly.

Taking into account the priorities of the policy pursued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, large-scale transformations are being carried out in agriculture, contributing to strengthening food security and the country's export potential.

Specific measures are being taken to increase the volume of agricultural production, including through the rational use of land and water resources, increasing crop yields, and introducing modern technologies and the latest achievements in agricultural science.

During the meeting, information was heard on the state of affairs in the field of agricultural crop breeding, variety testing, seed production, nursery management, and the provision of seeds, grape seedlings, and fruit trees in the CIS countries.

Turkmen scientists and specialists are conducting relevant work to increase crop yields, introduce scientifically based crop rotation, and increase agricultural production. In this regard, it was noted that Turkmenistan is open to broad international cooperation and the exchange of advanced experience in the agro-industrial sector, which meets the interests of general well-being.

At the same time, the importance of the established fruitful partnership within the CIS in the supply of varietal and hybrid seeds, planting material of fruit and berry crops, and grapes was emphasized, which serves the sustainable development of agro-industrial production in the member countries.

In this regard, significant importance is attached to the creation of an information-analytical system for managing seed production in the CIS, which is designed to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the agricultural sector and interstate integration ties.

Special consideration was given to cooperation within the CIS in the field of potato, winter wheat, and cotton breeding and seed production, as well as pest and disease control of agricultural crops.

The report on the creation of a seed production association for vegetable and melon crops in the CIS countries, which will form a powerful breeding and seed production industry involving its members, aroused great interest among the meeting participants.

The speakers also noted that Turkmenistan, as an associate member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, actively participates in its activities. Cooperation within the framework of the CIS Intergovernmental Coordinating Council on Seed Production is becoming increasingly effective. Our country is aimed at continuing fruitful partnership, advocating for the coordination of joint activities in the field of breeding and variety testing, taking into account soil and climatic conditions, and strengthening mutually beneficial contacts in the fields of seed production and interstate supply of varietal seeds.

During the meeting, deep gratitude was expressed to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, for their assistance in organizing the current meeting and creating all conditions for fruitful joint work.

As part of the current event, an exhibition of agricultural products was held at the International Scientific and Technological Park of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan.

The improvised cotton and wheat fields, a wide assortment of melons, fruits, and vegetables displayed on the territory adjacent to the technopark, all these exhibits demonstrate the achievements of the domestic agro-industrial complex.

It should be noted that in our country, according to the Law of Turkmenistan "On Seed Production" and other legal acts, taking into account international experience, great importance is attached to seed production activities. Continuing scientific research in the field of breeding and seed production, regular improvement of the relevant experience and professionalism of scientists have had a positive impact on the development of the agricultural sector in the new historical period.

The exhibition at the International Scientific and Technological Park of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan provided guests with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with samples of the best varieties of medium-fiber and especially valuable fine-fiber cotton, each of which is the result of many years of work by domestic breeders.

As part of the meeting, a meeting was held between the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers T. Atahalliyev and the hakims of the velayats with the Deputy Chairman of the CIS Intergovernmental Coordinating Council on Seed Production Ivan Kuzmin, where issues of mutually beneficial cooperation in the relevant field were discussed.

It should be noted that new varieties of winter wheat have been developed at the Research Institute of Grain Production of the Ministry of Agriculture. This event became a clear result of the efforts made to successfully implement the instructions of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to improve breeding and seed production activities in the agricultural sector of the country and its development based on advanced scientific achievements and technologies. The three new varieties were named "Serdar," "Arkadag," and "Pyragy."

Today, "round tables" were held, dedicated to practical steps for using new crop varieties in agricultural production, including winter wheat, achievements in seed production, and creating conditions for training young scientific personnel who will work with new wheat varieties.