ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan has said that Pakistan’s partnership with USAID will explore new avenues in agri-development sector. Besides, irrigation canals would be constructed to increase farm productivity and processing units to be established in Gilgit Baltistan under Satpara Development Project.
He was talking to USAID officials Kevin McGlothin and Ms Michelle Corzine who recently took over as EGA director and agriculture team leader, respectively.
In addition to research, USAID’s assistance in agri-business contributed much towards investment, revenue and employment generation. The minister reiterated that agricultural sector employs 44 percent of national labour force and provides 21 percent of GDP. He said that USAID’s cooperation in agricultural sector pivotal in boosting agricultural production through development of new crop varieties, better irrigation and management practices.
Meanwhile, USAID delegation highlighted various projects. On the agri-business side, the Agribusiness Project, US partnership for access to credit and US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development are the salient programs aimed at supporting small farmers via credit loaning and financial assistance to upgrade technology and processing operations.
Sikandar further said that Baluchistan offers new opportunities and a lot can be done in wool sector. He urged the USAID team to continue with Foot and Mouth Disease Project as the disease is near to complete eradication.
The minister mentioned that these joint ventures complement Pakistan Vision 2025 and are lending hand in strengthening institutional and policy making capacity.
