The meeting was co-chaired by Undersecretary
of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock of Turkey Dr.
Nihat Pakdil and Additional Secretary of the National Food Security and Research
Ministry of Pakistan Syed Moazzam Ali.
At the inaugural session, Dr.
Nihat Pakdil said that Turkey
attaches great importance to Pakistan
because of excellent historical, political, economic and cultural relations. He
expressed the hope that the visit of delegation and signing of the protocol
will be turned into concrete action.
Syed Moazzam Ali thanked his
hosts for extending warm hospitality. He said cooperation in agriculture sector
shall be further improved after 4th meeting of High Level Strategic Cooperation
Council held in February in Islamabad .
He added that Pakistan was
closely following Turkey ’s
economic and rural development growth strategy and felt that Pakistan could learn from Turkey ’s best
practices for agricultural improvement.
Opening session was followed by
specific discussions on new collaboration for plant production, phytosanitary, livestock
breeding, animal hygiene, and rural development. Both countries decided to
utilize each other’s experience in new technologies for plant production aimed
at increased productivity. It was also decided to exchange the germplasm, fruit
and hybrid vegetables. The two countries also agreed to collaborate in the
field of forage plant breeding, initiate feasibility study for seed and seed
production, and exchanging scientific materials and professionals for creating
high capacity in the field of food security.
The two sides also agreed on
cooperation for livestock improvement programs including livestock breeding and
animal health, identification of animals, creating registration database
systems for animal improvement, fighting against animal diseases, collaboration
on producing foot and mouth disease vaccine, livestock research, veterinary services
and animal well being.
It was also decided to extend cooperation
on designing rural development projects and its implementation, monitoring and
prevention of agricultural pollution at waters, geographical information system
and integrated management information system on agricultural sector. Turkey will
share relevant experience through its technical support programme.
The two brotherly countries also agreed
to share information and experiences about producer organizations, create co-production
and marketing strategies, advertisement of agricultural products, co-branding
at international fairs and exhibitions, and health certification of herbal and animal
products. The two sides also decided to provide cooperation for investment
opportunities in aquaculture, technical and scientific collaboration on aqua
culture resources, fish feed production and supply chain management. At the
conclusion of the meeting, the Co-chairs signed Minutes of the meeting. Next
Meeting of the Agriculture Steering Committee will be held in Pakistan in
2016.
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