Tehran-Accra Expand Agro Coop.
EghtesadOnline: Three memoranda of understanding were signed between Iran’s Minister of Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati and Ghana’s Minister of Trade and Industry Alan John Kyerematen during the sixth session of Iran-Ghana Economic Commission held on Nov. 13-16 in Accra.
The MoUs pertain to cooperation in technical and engineering services in the field of geomatics, sports and educational cooperation and agricultural outsourcing, Mehr News Agency reported.
The two sides agreed that Ghana will allocate 6,000 hectares of land to Iran to pursue the “Beyond Borders Agriculture” scheme.
The scheme involves the practice of purchasing, renting or leasing arable land for the cultivation of agricultural products in another country. These products are later imported into Iran, or alternatively exported to other destinations. The process, also known as agro outsourcing, is aimed at ensuring food security and boosting agricultural production, according to Financial Tribune.
Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture is currently using overseas land to cultivate rice, corn and oilseeds, the local production of which does not suffice domestic demand.
Iran practices agro outsourcing in several regional countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. In addition to suitable climatic conditions and arability, these countries offer low irrigation costs.
It was also agreed that Iran will launch a cement factory and a tractor production line in the West African country.
Kyerematen said Iran can participate in building at least 100 industrial parks in Ghana, as his country plans to set up 200 such parks.