Russia proposes SCO countries develop cooperation in innovative agro-industrial complex

MOSCOW. Nov 18 (Interfax) - Russia proposes that countries in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) solidify cooperation in the agricultural sector in the areas of plant breeding and seed production, and develop innovative agriculture.

"We propose strengthening cooperation in plant breeding and seed production, as well as innovative agriculture, in the agricultural sector. This would allow us to boost production, so that our consumers have access to a variety of high-quality food products. This is necessary to ensure global food security and the stability of agricultural markets," Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Tuesday at an expanded meeting of the heads of the government council of the SCO member countries in Moscow.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev during the government hour in the State Duma on November 12 said that cooperation with SCO countries in the agricultural sector is rather well established. "We are working on phytosanitary control, on monitoring epizootic problems, and here, I think, they are promising partners for us," Patrushev said.

Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut during the government hour said that agricultural trade with SCO countries totaled $25 billion in the first nine months of the year. "This is an increase compared to last year. Our range [of supplies] is expanding. Nevertheless, trade turnover is perhaps not the most important aspect on which to work. In our view, we need to work on scientific, technical, and educational issues in order to develop relations with the SCO and BRICS countries. We currently have many programs with the SCO and BRICS countries," Lut said.