Opportunities for Agricultural Cooperation with Africa
Tehran Times reported that Iran’s Minister of Agriculture, Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh, addressed the First National Meeting on Iran-Africa Agricultural Cooperation. He emphasized that opportunities for joint agricultural cooperation with Africa are available and should be transformed into concrete economic ties.
October 31, 2026 - 18:5
TEHRAN - Nouri Ghezeljeh stressed Iran's commitment to international cooperation based on mutual respect, avoiding unilateralism, and opposing political pressure. He highlighted the importance of food security, emphasizing that it should not be a tool for political agendas and requires cooperation among countries.
He proposed a clear agenda for Iran-Africa agricultural cooperation:
- Move from introducing capacities to defining projects and executive contracts.
- Shift from sporadic exchanges to sustainable partnerships in production, technology, and trade.
- View Africa as an important partner for investment, joint production, and mutual economic benefits, not just a market.
Nouri Ghezeljeh linked agriculture to food security, knowledge, and economic development. He noted that food security involves ensuring people's access to sufficient, healthy, and affordable food. He also pointed out complementary capacities between Iran and African nations in various agricultural sectors.
The minister identified four priorities:
- Removing executive obstacles and strengthening communication among responsible institutions.
- Clear procedures and reliable transportation for economic actors.
- Practical payment mechanisms, insurance, and investment coverage.
- Predictable regulations for sustainable cooperation.
He also called for examining bilateral agreements and regional mechanisms for tariff and trade facilitation.