Uzbek Agricultural Minister calls on Pakistani Food Security Minister – Bilateral Cooperation Discussed

Islamabad: The Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev met with Federal Minister of National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam today on 2nd March, 2022. Senior Joint Secretary Mr. Javed Humayun, PARC Chairman Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali and DPP DG Dr. Tariq Khan also attended the meeting.

Fakhar said that sharing of germplasm on reciprocal basis of cotton, melon, cereal crops, and other high value horticulture crops and livestock can enhance the agriculture sector of both countries.

Minister said that cooperation in production technologies of cotton and high value horticulture crops such as kinnow, dates and mangoes can be beneficial for Pakistan. Minister said that Pakistan has immense export potential with respect to citrus fruits, rice, mangoes, onion, potatoes, fisheries and livestock etc.

Fakhar said that Pakistan has 8 Mn tonnes of rice which can be exported. Fakhar said that Pakistan exported appx 144,000 tonnes of mangoes internationally and hence its export to Uzbekistan also has huge potential.

Agriculture Minister of Uzbekistan said that Pest Risk Analysis has been completed by their side and they are willing to export melon, pomegranate, apple, water melon, grapes and cherries to Pakistan.

He welcomed Fakhar Imam’s suggestion of exchange of university students and professors.

Mr. Jamshid Khodjaev said that exchange of technologies for processing and value addition of fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products can reap positive result for both countries.

He said that the Uzbekistan has accepted to import meat under World Organization for Animal Health and that two slaughter houses have also been approved: Tata Best Food, Khi and Fauji Meat Itd Thatta.

He said that technological collaboration in livestock breed improvement programs can upgrade the livestock productivity of Pakistan.

Fakhar Imam said that Uzbekistan has mechanization expertise which can benefit Pakistan. Pakistani agriculture has been tottering along the traditional agricultural techniques and it is time that we start to look ahead to the future in terms of modernization.

Minister said that PM Imran Khan is the only leader who has looked at the bigger picture and plans for the next 10-20 years.Fakhar Imam praised the current governments efforts and said that in the last 70 years the main set back to research was insufficient funds. This is the first time in the history of Pakistan that under Prime Minister Initiative Program billions of Rupees have been invested in agricultural research which has led to record production of wheat, maize and rice last year.

Federal Minister thanked the Uzbekistan’s Minister and highlighted the cordial and friendly relations between the two countries. He said that there is a bonhomie between the two people. He stated that the two countries should enhance and fine tune their mutual relation.