Iran’s Deputy Agriculture Minister Kazem Khavazi and President of the Yanan Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Xuelin Li signed an MoU, on the sidelines of Khavazi’s visit to the Far-Eastern country.

Following the official invitation of the Chinese Academy, Khavazi paid a visit to the Academy’s facilities and laboratories to become familiar with research activities and meet with Xuelin.

In addition to signing the MoU, Khavazi held specialized committees, and reached an agreement with the Chinese side for joint research projects.

Referring to the history and antecedent of bilateral relations between Iran and China, Khavazi recalled for the development of scientific relations within the framework of the Silk Road Restoration Program.

Xuelin, meantime, described the development of the scientific relationship with the Agricultural Education Research and Promotion Organization as an opportunity for scientific enhancement.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides formally signed an MoU on joint agricultural research as they announced their readiness to expand research collaborations.

Within the framework of this MoU, the parties undertook to develop their cooperation in various fields of agricultural research.

According to the report, hybrid seed production of wheat, rice, rapeseed, vegetables, safflower, breeding and processing of tea, tropical fruits, temperate fruits and underground flowers, development of integrated pest and disease management methods are among the most important areas of joint research.

Prior to traveling to China, the delegation members drafted the Action Plan Document on Cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, with the title of Proposed Research and Executive Cooperation with China on the basis of our country’s agricultural needs and with a view to reaching a common agreement at meetings.

Iran-China is enjoying broad mutual agricultural cooperation, and the two countries even increased bilateral trade of fishery products after some food providers of china like Saudi Arabia failed to meet health standards.

Late in August, it was announced that China had banned imports of shrimp from Saudi Arabia after finding viruses in food cargos from the kingdom, and granted market access to 40 shrimp exporters from Iran.

The ban was followed by market access being granted to Iranian shrimp exporters, including Daryazad Seafood Products which is headquartered in Bushehr province, producing raw processed and value-added shrimp products.

China is the largest market for Iran which exports some 30,000 tonnes of shrimp a year, London-based global seafood news website Undercurrent News reported.

Iranian veterinary authorities said China endorsed the exporters after they met Chinese laws, regulations and standards, paving the way for direct shipments.