KARACHI: Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday agreed to step up cooperation in agriculture and food security with a focus on improving connectivity and streamlining procedures to boost broader economic ties, the Pakistani food security ministry said.

Trade between Pakistan and Iran has hovered around $3 billion in recent years and both countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Feb. 2025 to take it to $10 billion.

Iran was prioritizing Pakistan’s rice, meat and other exports as part of a trade understanding reached between the two countries in Tehran, the Pakistani government said in Aug. last year.

On Tuesday, Iran’s agriculture minister Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh met Pakistani food security and commerce ministers in Islamabad to advance bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food security.

“Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan also highlighted the importance of facilitating cooperation through improved connectivity, streamlined procedures, and practical coordination at the operational level,” the Pakistani food security ministry said.

“He emphasized that sustained engagement and mutual understanding would help unlock the full potential of bilateral relations across multiple sectors.”

Pakistan’s food security minister emphasized that agriculture remains a vital sector for ensuring food security, rural development, and economic stability in both countries, urging enhanced technical cooperation, exchange of expertise and strengthened coordination between relevant departments and research institutions.

The Iranian minister suggested closer cooperation in horticulture, livestock, crop management, and modern farming practices, noting that both countries possessed complementary strengths and could benefit from structured collaboration, joint initiatives and regular institutional dialogue, according to the Pakistani ministry.

Matters relating to agricultural exchange, research collaboration, capacity building, and facilitation of farmers and agri-business stakeholders were also discussed.

“The two sides acknowledged the need to promote joint research in areas such as water conservation, high-value crops, livestock improvement, and sustainable agricultural practices in view of shared climatic and environmental challenges,” the Pakistani food security ministry said.

“The ministers discussed ongoing collaboration under existing agreements, including cooperation in veterinary and animal health, plant protection and quarantine. Both sides agreed on the importance of effectively implementing signed agreements and expediting pending institutional mechanisms to ensure consistent progress.”