Kyrgyzstan, Italy to cooperate in agricultural innovation and food quality
Bishkek, Oct. 17, 2025 /Kabar/. Bakyt Torobaev, Kyrgyz Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry met Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry of Italian Republic in Rome, Ministry of Agriculture reports. During the conversation, the parties noted the friendly nature of Kyrgyz-Italian relations, which have history of over thirty years and are based on mutual respect, trust, and constructive dialogue.
Torobaev emphasized that in recent years, relations between Kyrgyzstan and Italy have been actively developing at both the bilateral and multilateral levels. In particular, he recalled the first Central Asia-Italy summit held in May 2025, where Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
It was noted that Italy was one of the first European countries to recognize Kyrgyzstan's independence and support its accession to international organizations such as the UN and the OSCE. At the same time, the head of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Agriculture noted that Kyrgyzstan is interested in developing cooperation with Italy in areas such as sustainable agriculture, food security, cooperative development, agricultural processing, and the introduction of innovative technologies. Bakyt Torobaev also noted that the Kyrgyz side highly values Italy's experience in developing agricultural cooperatives, developing new varieties of fruits and vegetables, and improving the processing industry, which is one of the most advanced in the world.
Particular attention was paid to scientific and educational cooperation at the meeting. In this regard, Torobaev announced the signing of a memorandum of cooperation on June 13, 2025, between the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Polytechnic University of Turin. The document provides for cooperation in food security, food quality, and the implementation of innovative agricultural technologies.
The Kyrgyz side expressed interest in developing cooperation with Italy in the field of plant breeding and seed production, as well as in implementing joint projects to adapt Italian crop varieties to Kyrgyzstan's mountainous conditions. Bakyt Torobaev noted that Kyrgyzstan is ready to become a logistics and export hub for the supply of Italian agricultural products and technologies to the markets of the Eurasian Economic Union, China, and South Asia.
The Italian Minister of Agriculture noted that the Italian side is ready to assist in the development of agriculture and strengthen cooperation in this area. We are ready to assist you with technology, knowledge, and experience, Lollobrigida said.
