Pakistan and Belarus will sign three agreements related to agriculture machinery, promotion of biotechnology and betterment of livestock sector for strengthening agricultural co-operation between the two countries. The pacts to be signed during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Belarus next month. Dr Iftikhar Ahmad chairman Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) said this during the visit of four-member delegation of Belarus scientists.
"NARC has prepared the contents of three agreements which would be signed with Belarus during next month" he said. However, the three agreements would be finalised after the end of discussion between scientists of two countries", Dr Iftikhar said. He said that the main objectives of signing of three agreements with Belarus to promote agriculture on modern lines. PARC chairman further said that in Belarus there were about 16000 scientists for 10 million people while in Pakistan there are only 600 scientists for over 200 million. He urged the Belarus delegation to highlight the importance of agriculture sector during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister to Belarus.
He said that agriculture co-operation with Belarus would ensure exchange of Knowledge and latest technology. The co-operation with Belarus would also help Pakistan to take full advantage of Pak-China Economic Corridor and establish agricultural sciences parks on the thoroughfare.
Belarus delegate Academician Secretary, Department of Biological Sciences of National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Belarus, Mikhail Nikiforov during his presentation said that Belarus has developed several crop technologies that could be utilised for the betterment of Pakistan agriculture sector. Co-operation in science and technology would benefit both the countries, he said.
DG Scientific Practical Centre NAS for Agriculture Mechanisation, Siarhei Yakouchik said that Belarus farmers use 80 percent home-made agriculture machinery. Belarus scientists have produced 200 agriculture machines during past seven years, he added. Yakouchik said that Belarus is ready to share knowledge and technology with Pakistan.
Deputy Director General NASB Scientific Practical Center on Animal Breeding, Piatrushka Ihar during his presentation on efficient animal breeding via innovation said that the his country has developed livestock on modern lines and offered co-operation in fish, meat, milk and poultry.
The Belarus scientist's delegation has reached Pakistan on July 27 and the delegation will hold discussion with scientists of PARC. An official of NARC said that the scientists of PARC and Belarus have held detailed discussions on Tuesday. The discussion would continue for the next two days for identification of common areas of interest as well as exploration of the areas of agriculture and livestock co-operation.