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LAHORE: “Uzbekistan has offered to provide land and other resources for potato cultivation and research, besides expressing willingness to cooperate with Pakistani farmers in cattle farming.” Governor of Tashkent Region Zoyir Mirzayev stated this during a meeting with Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and Secretary Livestock Punjab Ahmed Aziz Tarar here on Friday. The governor, who is leading a high-level delegation from Uzbekistan, arrived in Lahore earlier in the day. Director General Information, Agriculture Department Punjab Naveed Asmat Kahloon, and Consultant Agriculture Department Punjab Dr Muhammad Anjum Ali, along with other officials, were also present on the occasion. The purpose of the visit was to further strengthen bilateral trade relations. Detailed discussions were held with the delegation on agricultural commodities and dairy products. READ MORE: Pak-Uzbek trade ties: PM urges business community to cash in on opportunities Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said that Punjab contributes more than 70 percent to the country’s total agricultural production. He stated that cotton, wheat, maize, rice, sugarcane, potatoes, kinnow, and mango are among the province’s major crops. He further said that the President of Uzbekistan visited Pakistan last month and had expressed interest in importing 300,000 tons of potatoes from Pakistan. He added that there are vast opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the field of agricultural research. He also mentioned that joint working groups would be formed between the Agriculture and Livestock Departments of Punjab and the Government of Uzbekistan. A comprehensive agenda is being prepared for these working groups, and regular online meetings will be held to discuss it. He emphasized that bilateral business-to-business cooperation will also be promoted. Secretary Livestock Punjab Ahmed Aziz Tarar, while participating in the discussion, said that Punjab produces 62 percent of the country’s total milk production. He added that there is strong potential to increase exports of halal meat and poultry products to Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, Governor Tashkent Region Zoyir Mirzayev said that Pakistani rice enjoys strong demand in Uzbekistan, while the country is also a major market for Pakistani potatoes. He noted that certain import and export challenges are currently being faced due to regional tensions. The Governor further stated that Uzbekistan is ready to provide land and other resources for potato cultivation and research, while the Uzbek government will also cooperate with Pakistani farmers in cattle farming. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
