Pakistan will host the Asia Co-operation Dialogue (ACD) conference in September for intensifying the efforts to adopt a common strategy developing agriculture sector to alleviate poverty. The seminar, to be attended by senior officials from 23 Asian countries would focus on the need of establishing an efficient water management system to enhance agriculture growth.
The offer to this effect was made by Pakistan delegate Mumtaz Ahmad, additional secretary Ministry of Agriculture, at the three-day ACD's seminar on agricultural policies held in Beijing this week. Mumtaz told newsmen in an interview that Pakistan's proposal to arrange the ACD official level conference was supported by China and some other member countries.
The conference is expected to take place in Islamabad by September in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), he added.
The ACD's seminar in Beijing, he said proved very productive to enhance understanding and co-ordination expand mutually beneficial regional co-operation in the agriculture sector.
He gave a detail presentation on the performance and achievements of Pakistan's agriculture sector that was appreciated by the conference participants.
Pakistan supported the idea of developing an effective mechanism for exchange of necessary technical know-how among the member countries to modernise irrigation system, Mumtaz added.
During the seminar, the participants expressed their beliefs that agriculture is of special significance to Asian countries. Due to the diversity in agricultural policy, technology, environment and development level, there exists a great potential for mutual co-operation among the ACD member nations.
They said effective and voluntary co-operation, in a mutually beneficial manner, keeping consistency with domestic agricultural policy of respective nations and supplementing the existing channels and modes, will bring great benefit to Asian people, and promote the sustained peace and prosperity in Asia.
In this connection, the participants have agreed to jointly put forward the initiative as follows: firstly, the priorities of ACD agricultural co-operation are proposed to include: development policy, practical technology, sustainable development, and rural development and poverty alleviation.
They held that ACD encourages its member nations to learn from each other in the area of agricultural development policy and strengthen consultations on agricultural negotiations within the framework of WTO so as to ensure the common interests of Asia in agricultural development.
During the seminar, Mumtaz further said he also met the Chinese officials and discussed with them ways and means to further deepening their bilateral co-operation in the agriculture sector. The two countries, he said have already signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake joint venture in establishing an agro-based unit in Pakistan for reprocessing of food products.
In this connection, he said a Chinese delegation will soon visit Pakistan to conduct a feasibility study.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Ambassador Riaz Mohammad Khan said the two countries are making serious efforts to enhance their co-operation in the agriculture sector. He hoped the Chinese companies will soon start importing Pakistani food products like mango, orange and rice.