Ambassador of United States of America Paul W Jones called on Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar here on Tuesday, said a press release issued here.
Rey Santella, Agricultural Counsellor and Jeff Goebel, Director of Rural and Economic Development Office USAID, were also present. In the meeting various areas and prospective potential for agro cooperation was discussed. Pakistan has a history of collaboration with the United States through USAID.
Federal Minister said that agriculture sector is vital for Pakistan's economy & GDP and Pakistan is looking forward for a healthy cooperation in agro sector for mutual benefits. The minister further added that Pakistan has huge halal meat production and it can enter into the world market through US support in terms of SPS and JVs can also be established to that effect.
The minister said, "We are focusing on mutual collaboration by providing enabling platform in public sector. He added that the incumbent government has launched history's largest Agriculture Development program worth over PKR 3 billion, which shows our commitment towards the revival of this sector."
Khusro Bakhtiar told the US Ambassador, "In order to achieve high yield through accurate scientific means would enable us to plan the crop sowing priorities and to meet the challenges of production especially enhancing cotton, pulses and edible oil growth indigenously for there is a huge import bill of these commodities."
The US ambassador said that US already has its footprints in Pakistan especially in agriculture sector for soybean is exported here from US, moreover there are number of projects in livestock and dairy sector through USAID interventions.
Federal Minister Khusro Bakhtiar said, "We are looking forward for cooperation in developing cold chain, value addition facilities in various horticulture products, dairy and meat; he further said that joint ventures in these areas would be a convenient approach for unleashing potential in short span of time."
Jones said that US is well aware that Pakistan is an important agricultural country. Exchange of technologies in agro field including cooperation in value addition, public private partnership would be welcomed by both the sides. He further added that the experts in various areas for instance, dairy, livestock, fisheries could exchange visits for learning new technologies.-PR
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019
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