–Pakistan, China agree to broaden agro-based cooperation by adopting a comprehensive approach
ISLAMABAD: China’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Vice Minister MA Aiguo called on Planning, Development & Reform Minister Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar on Monday to discuss matter of mutual interests.
Minister Bakhtyar on the occasion highlighted that Pakistan’s agriculture sector employs 45 per cent of manpower, contributes about 24 per cent in the GDP, provides livelihood to 64 per cent of the country’s rural population and shares 20 per cent in total exports.
The minister identified that Pak-China agricultural cooperation has to focus on the vertical increase in productivity of existing crops, transfer of knowledge and technologies, seed and plant protection, disease control, value addition and marketing of agri products, including dairy, livestock, and fisheries. Mutual cooperation should cover the whole basket of agriculture sector, he added.
Bakhtyar said that there existed for China and other countries a massive potential to develop Pakistan agriculture sector and achieve a win-win situation. He pointed out that joint ventures, value addition, cold chain management for fruits and vegetables, marketing and branding would help Pakistan overcome the past weaknesses and increase its agri exports to China as well as other nations of the world.
The minister stressed that both sides should work closely and identify areas of future cooperation.
MA Aiguo, during the meeting, said that agricultural cooperation between China and Pakistan would set a new and important direction that should focus on mutual cooperation and finalization of specific plans.
He said that China is ready to share its expertise with regard to efficient agriculture models with Pakistan.
Both sides agreed to broaden the agro-based cooperation by adopting a comprehensive approach to tap the potentials of Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
Planning Secretary Zafar Hassan, CPEC Project Director Hassan Daud and officials from line ministries were also present on the occasion.
