TUNIS (TAP) - Tunisia and Brazil, on Friday, signed a co-operation agreement on agricultural extension, scientific research and forests.

The agreement, signed at the end of a working visit paid to Tunisia by representatives of Brazilian agricultural research and technical co-operation agencies and the Bank of Brazil, provides for the creation of joint projects in grain farming, pulses, animal and organic production and protection of flora.

It also provides for exchange of expertise in genetic improvement of plant species and identifying joint programmes to build capacities in matters of agronomic research.

Tunisians and Brazilians agreed, under this agreement, to create a twinning project between the Agency for Agricultural Extension and Training and the Brazilian Agency for Technical Co-operation.

This initiative aims to improve capacities of trainers in the agricultural field. It also seeks to develop partnership to make the most of the Brazilian experience in financing small and medium farming.

The two sides also agreed to achieve a project to develop eucalyptus forests and promote co-operation in rehabilitation of nurseries.

Members of the Brazilian delegation met Agriculture Minister Mohamed Ben Salem and visited the Governorate of Bizerte where they learnt about the Tunisian experience in the forestry sector, professional organisations and agricultural extension.