Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to realizing the goal of $10 billion in bilateral trade with Iran as the partnership would not only strengthen the economic ties between both nations but also contribute to regional food stability.
The minister held a meeting with the Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moqaddam and discussed avenues of expanding cooperation in agriculture, food security, and trade between Pakistan and Iran, said a press release issued by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
Rana Tanveer also highlighted that Pakistan’s agricultural products, including rice, maize, and fodder, are of high quality and geographically closer to Iran, offering a cost-effective alternative to imports from distant markets like Brazil and Australia.
The minister appreciated Iran’s desire to strengthen agricultural ties and welcomed the proposal for extra-territorial cultivation on Pakistani soil, emphasizing that Pakistan is open to innovative partnerships that promote sustainable agricultural practices.
He stated that such initiatives would contribute to regional food security and help both countries cope with the impacts of climate change.He expressed confidence that the ongoing collaboration between Pakistan and Iran will pave the way for enhanced agricultural productivity, improved food security, and deeper economic integration.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together in the spirit of friendship and mutual benefit to promote sustainable agricultural development and regional prosperity.
The Iranian Ambassador conveyed an invitation from the Minister of Agriculture Jihad, Iran, for Rana Tanveer Hussain to attend the forthcoming ECO Summit on February 17, 2025. The Ambassador also expressed Iran’s keen interest in expanding agricultural trade with Pakistan and highlighted the mutual potential for collaboration in livestock, crops, and food processing.
During the discussion, the Ambassador informed that Iran intends to import 350,000 livestock from Pakistan and expressed satisfaction over the progress made on rice export agreements, stating that the purchase arrangements are expected to be finalized soon. He added that wheat imports from Pakistan have already begun and that Iran is also ready to import maize and fodder in whatever quantity Pakistan can provide. He shared that the Iranian Ministry of Agriculture Jihad is looking forward to hosting a follow-up delegation from Pakistan to further enhance agricultural cooperation and finalize joint projects.
Both sides agreed that Pakistan and Iran share similar agro-climatic conditions, which provide a strong basis for collaboration in research, seed development, and technology transfer. The Iranian side showed interest in initiating joint ventures in areas such as modern irrigation systems, drought-resistant crop varieties, and organic farming. The Ambassador further conveyed Iran’s willingness to collaborate on training and capacity-building programs for agricultural scientists and technical experts, ensuring mutual growth and knowledge exchange.