Australia has allocated 6.6 million dollars for four years Pakistan-Australian Agriculture Sector Linkage Programme. This was informed by an Australian delegation to Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Jahangir Tareen during a meeting held here on Wednesday in the ministry.
Jahangir Tareen reviewed the working of Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Planning in the field of agriculture and livestock in Pakistan. The Australian mission is currently visiting Pakistan in the light of President General Pervez Musharraf's visit to Australia in June last.
The mission has already visited different provincial agriculture, livestock departments and various universities in Punjab and Sindh.
Pakistan-Australian Agriculture Sector Linkage Programme is of four years duration and will draw on Australian government and technical institution capacities as well as commercial opportunities. Australia has allocated 6.6 million dollars for the 4 years period, including a review in third year.
This programme is to strengthen agriculture sector interaction between Australia and Pakistan's commercial, academic and research institutions through joint activities. The programme envisions an integrated approach centred around building and expanding links between key Australian agriculture institutions and individuals and their Pakistani counterparts.
The minister asked NRSP and the ministry officials to give a detailed presentation to the Australian delegation so that further strategy regarding programme could be evolved. The minister emphasised the delegation to make some research constructive utilisation of saline land in Pakistan.
The Australian delegation informed the federal minister that a Pakistan made sowing machine namely "Very Happy Seeder" is very environmental friendly.