Tajikistan, Belarus Push for Modernized Agricultural Cooperation

Tajikistan’s Agriculture Minister Kurbon Hakimzoda and his Belarusian counterpart Yuri Gorlov have held bilateral talks during the 10th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in Kunming, China, reaffirming their commitment to deeper agro-industrial cooperation with a focus on expanding trade, economic ties, and advancing agricultural development in line with the SCO’s push to modernize food systems.

Key areas of discussion included joint initiatives in food processing, such as establishing new plants for meat, dairy, fruit, and vegetable processing, as well as strengthening animal husbandry and expanding the production of agricultural machinery, The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.

A spotlight was placed on supporting Tajikistan’s Agrotechservice company in Hisor, which assembles GS-5 tractors and combines. Both sides see this initiative as a promising area for investment and technology transfer.

The ministers also discussed future cooperation in horticulture, viticulture, seed cultivation, and poultry farming. Adapting agriculture to climate change and improving pest control methods were identified as urgent priorities for the region’s climate-challenged agricultural landscapes.

Education was highlighted as a strategic pillar of the partnership. Currently, 11 Tajik students are pursuing degrees in agricultural sciences in Belarus, and both sides expressed interest in expanding this academic exchange to further strengthen human capital in the sector.

Bilateral trade between Tajikistan and Belarus has shown significant momentum, with turnover increasing by 34.8 per cent in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Belarus exports sugar, powdered milk, meat, livestock, and eggs to Tajikistan, while importing dried fruits, cotton yarn, and textiles. The Belarusian delegation expressed a keen interest in increasing imports of Tajik dried fruits.

A new avenue of cooperation has emerged with the Special Property Supply Agency under the Tajik Government, which signed 20 contracts in 2025 for the supply of canned fish, chilled beef, and pedigree livestock. These agreements are expected to strengthen logistical ties and develop specialized supply chains between the two countries.

Looking ahead, two major bilateral and multilateral events will take place in Dushanbe from September 17-20, 2025: the 18th Tajikistan-Belarus Intergovernmental Commission Meeting on Trade and Economic Cooperation and the 37th Meeting of the CIS Council of Agriculture Ministers.

Both events are expected to feature strong private sector participation, new agreements, and expanded networking opportunities-further deepening the Tajik-Belarusian agricultural partnership.