On 2 April 2026, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Malaysia, M. Mashalov, met with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia, Haji Mohamad bin Sabu, to discuss strengthening bilateral ties in the agrarian sector.
During the meeting, Ambassador Mashalov reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness to collaborate with Malaysia in several strategic areas, including:
- Establishing joint ventures in the agricultural sector;
- Digitalization of the industry;
- Exchange of expertise in the agro-industrial complex;
- Development of export logistics and eco-friendly production.
The Ambassador emphasized Turkmenistan’s interest in studying Malaysia’s best practices and implementing partnerships in food processing, government support for agricultural investors, and the joint adoption of digital technologies and precision farming systems to increase yields.
Other priority areas include seed production, livestock farming, modernization of irrigation systems, efficient water resource management, and the streamlining of phytosanitary and veterinary inspections.
In this context, the Ambassador proposed drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia.
Minister Haji Mohamad bin Sabu welcomed the initiative to intensify agricultural cooperation and proposed establishing mutual import and export channels for fresh fruits and vegetables between the two nations.
He also shared Malaysia’s extensive experience in the sector, particularly regarding advanced irrigation systems and “smart farm” projects.
The Turkmen delegation was also briefed on the activities of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). A proposal was made to sign an agreement between the research institutes of both countries to facilitate knowledge sharing and exchange visits for specialists.
Furthermore, Ambassador Mashalov invited Malaysian experts to participate in the international exhibitions “Agro Pack Turkmenistan – 2026” and “Food Turkmenistan – 2026”, scheduled to take place in Ashgabat on 12–14 May 2026.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture, representatives from MARDI, officials from the South and Central Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, and staff from the Embassy of Turkmenistan.
Context: Malaysia’s Agrarian Transformation
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the Malaysian economy, contributing approximately 7–8% to the national GDP and employing 10–15% of the workforce, primarily in rural areas. The sector is successfully adapting to challenges such as urban expansion and climate change by integrating cutting-edge technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and satellite monitoring.
For Turkmenistan, Malaysia’s experience is of significant interest as the country pursues strategic goals in food security and import substitution through the modernization of its own agricultural sector./// nCa, 3 April 2026