The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations organized an online workshop on Tuesday to discuss issues related to mechanization of the cotton harvest in Turkmenistan and to organize exchange of experiences in this matter between Turkmen and Turkish experts.
The meeting brought together research experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, the FAO office in Turkey said in its press release.
Cotton plays an important role in the economy of Turkmenistan. Improved mechanization, especially for harvests, has been recommended as a way to improve production and reduce labor costs nation-wide, yielding an increase in economic returns and making Turkmenistan more competitive in global markets, according to the statement.
During the event, the FAO National Correspondent in Turkmenistan Berdi Berdiyev emphasized the importance of the cooperation agreement signed with the Cotton Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey, which aims to facilitate the transfer of Turkish experience in cotton mechanization. Kakageldi Rejepov, the Head of the Finance Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Protection of Turkmenistan provided detailed information regarding existing legislation for cotton production in Turkmenistan.
The FAO Representative in Turkey and Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia Viorel Gutu emphasized the relevance of the experience of Turkey in cotton harvest mechanization and expressed his belief that efforts to assist Turkmenistan improve its agriculture would heighten existing cooperation between Turkmenistan, Turkey and FAO.
Tijen Özüdoğru from the Agricultural Economic and Policy Development Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey then presented the requirements for the transition to mechanization. She indicated that cotton production would become more competitive in international markets as a result.
The Turkmen and Turkish delegations expressed a willingness to cooperate to improve the cotton harvest and cotton production in Turkmenistan.
