Italy Calls for Iran’s Help to Grow Saffron, Date
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Italian minister of agricultural, food and forestry policies on Tuesday highlighted the significance of enhanced ties between Tehran and Rome in the field of farming industry, asking for Iran’s help to grow saffron and date in the European country.
During a Tuesday meeting in the Iranian capital with Massoud Khansari, the head of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA), Maurizio Martina said Iran and Italy have vast potential in the sector of agriculture and can boost cooperation in diverse fields.
He added that Rome is seeking to use Iran’s experience and help to produce saffron and date so that it can create proper trade conditions for the two produce.
Iran is the world’s largest producer and exporter of saffron used to flavor food and pastries, with further application in medicine and cosmetics. First harvest of the reddish, aromatic plant dates back to 3,000 years ago in Iran.
Khansari, for his part, stressed that Tehran and Rome have the capacity to further promote their cooperation in various agricultural fields, food industries in particular.
He added that Italian firms’ output would witness a significant rise should Rome invest in the Islamic Republic’s agricultural sector.
The visit comes after Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on July 14, 2015 finalized a comprehensive deal on Tehran’s nuclear program and implemented it on January 16.
The comprehensive nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), terminated all nuclear-related sanctions on Iran after coming into force.
