Taraba and Takac Sign Memorandum, Want to Improve Slovakia's Food Sufficiency

Rome, 18 October (TASR) - Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) and Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) signed a memorandum of understanding with Director General of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Qu Dongyu in Rome, Italy, the Environment Ministry's communications department told TASR on Saturday, adding that it will help Slovakia to become a self-sufficient country and exploit its potential. Takac stated that it's important for him that Slovakia's voice on agricultural issues is clear, strong and respected in the world. "Agriculture and rural development are clear priorities of the current government. Our goal is to keep people in the countryside and to make work in this sector fundamentally more attractive," said the head of the Agriculture Ministry, adding that the signing of the memorandum strengthens international cooperation in the fields of agriculture, food, forestry and sustainable development. "We want a fair and safe agriculture for those who want to not only feed the world but also protect it," noted Takac. According to Taraba, Slovakia is one of the three best countries in the EU for crop production and agricultural primary production. "We have an ideal climate, enough of water and fertile soil. We want to exploit Slovakia's huge potential and promote agrarian production and agriculture with higher added value," pointed out Taraba, adding that Slovak agriculture needs to be improved and uncultivated farmland needs to be brought back into cultivation. In the memorandum, the ministers and the FAO director general expressed their common interest and willingness to actively cooperate in the areas of transforming sustainable agri-food systems, food security and rural support. They also want to involve more Slovak university students in FAO programmes to gain practical experience and use modern technologies and innovative approaches. am