ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is further increasing its ties with the United States, especially in agriculture to boost the productivity of different crops.
This was stated by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan, while addressing the inaugural session of annual conference on ‘Agriculture innovations’, jointly organised by US-AID, CIMMYT and Pakistan Agriculture Research Council.
He said that the US-Aid has done a great job in Pakistan enriching agriculture growth in Pakistan. “There is great potential of bilateral cooperation for developing agriculture sector through use of latest technology.”
The inaugural session was also addressed by USAID-Pakistan Mission Director Dr John Groarke, CIMMYT Director General Dr Martin Kropff and Ministry of National Food Security and Research Federal Secretary Saeerat Asghar.
The conference during its two-day deliberations was scheduled to take wide-ranging agenda, including discussion on US-Pakistan partnership, a review on US-AID funded projects, innovations for enhanced livestock productivity, vegetable production, interventions in perennial horticulture in Pakistan, strengthening national agriculture research system and innovation in rice production.
The minister expressed satisfaction over the longstanding partnership between CIMMYT and Government of Pakistan and also appreciated the launching of projects by CIMMYT for crop improvement in Pakistan. US-AID Mission director said they believe their agriculture projects will continue to contribute to the growth of Pakistan’s economy.