Pakistan Keen to Enhance Cooperation with Turkey in Food Livestock Sector

Islamabad; 17 Sep 2020 – People of Pakistan attaches great respect and importance to the Turkish people. This was said by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research,Syed Fakhar Imam while meeting Turkish Ambassador, Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul on Thursday.

Syed Fakhar Imam said that the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey, which spans over centuries. Syed Fakhar Imam appreciated Turkey’s efforts to provide assistance to Pakistan in various areas. He welcomed Turkey’s interest in the development of Agriculture and live stock sector of Pakistan. He informed that Pakistan and Turkey have vast potential for collaboration in the field of Agriculture and Livestock Research.

In Turkey the share of animal husbandry in the total agricultural output is around 25%. The number of cattle totals approximately 10 million and sheep around 25 million, they are kept mainly on the grazing lands of Anatolia. Wool is a significant export of Turkey, which is also used internally for making world-famous Turkish carpets.

Turkey has reached the level of developed nations in poultry sector. Animal husbandry receives state support; artificial insemination, breeding, apiculture, fish farming, fodder and milk production are mainly supported.

The Turkish livestock sector has considerable potential and is an important part of agricultural sector and economy. Animal Husbandry constitute about 25% of the value of all agricultural production. About 70% of the rural farms in Turkey own livestock. Most of these livestock farmers rely on their livestock for income by selling milk and animals as well as fertilizer for crops. Livestock includes ruminants for meat and milk, camels and equines for draught and poultry for meat and eggs.

The livestock products including meat, milk, eggs, honey, wool and hides play a significant role in the Turkish economy. During 2019, the total cattle population of Turkey was 15.8 million, total cattle milk production was 9.56 million tons and total red meat production was 1.2 million tons.Syed Fakhar Imam apprise about the strength of livestock sector in Pakistan and the need for value addition to animal origin products (meat, dairy, etc); He invited Turkey for investment in dairy farming, agribusiness, food processing.

The DPP request for market access of Pakistani Potato in Turkey, NPPO, Turkey has initiated PRA for its import in Turkey since 2019. However, later on, in 2019, NPPO, Turkey notified Pakistan including other trading partners to its importers for import of table potato from Pakistan due to its growing demand in Turkey in the wake of failure of local crop without finalization of PRA.: The NPPO – Turkey has also requested for phytosanitary import requirements for export of maize seed from Turkey to Pakistan.DPP conducts PRA for this import pathway.

DPP has shared Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) questionnaire with the NPPO – Turkey to initiate pest risk assessment and subsequently finalization of phytosanitary import conditions for this import pathway. : The NPPO – Turkey has made request to DPP for grant of market access for export of infectoria (Quercus spp.) from Turkey to Pakistan.

The DPP is evaluating the technical information shared by NPPO, Turkey and based on analysis, the decision for its import will be taken.

Syed Fakhar Imam cherished visit of the H.E the President of Turkey to Pakistan this year and signing of Strategic Framework Agreement (SEF) between Pakistan and Turkey.He Mention that SEF will go a long way to further strengthen our relations as well as development of Agriculture and live stock sector in Pakistan.He informed we are waiting for the composition of JWG on Agriculture and Water and meeting dates from the Turkish side.He mentioned that that Pakistan side is ready to conduct first meeting of the JWG on Agriculture and Water under the SEF virtually given the current situation of COVID-19.Pakistan and Turkey have signed Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) on 14th February 2020.

The Secretary, MNFS&R has been appointed as Focal Person of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Agriculture and Water under the SEF. The activities to be carried out under SEF include,increasing cooperation in the area of seed multiplication.Transfer of animal sperm and establishment of animal registration system was also part of it. Agro-industry and transfer of technology was also considered.