Govt seeks Egypt's help to boost cotton yield

Both sides agree to enhance cooperation in agriculture, food security

KARACHI:

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has sought Egypt's support and technical expertise to increase cotton yield and improve cotton quality in Pakistan, during a meeting with Ambassador of Egypt to Pakistan Dr Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan, an official statement said on Monday.

The minister said Pakistan highly values its longstanding relations with Egypt and expressed appreciation for Egypt's progress in modern agriculture, water management, climate-resilient farming and agricultural technologies.

"I am impressed by Egypt's agricultural development and the experience it has developed in improving productivity under challenging conditions," he said. Hussain stressed that Egypt's experience in cotton varieties, quality seed, crop management and value addition could be highly beneficial for Pakistan's cotton sector.

He proposed enhanced cooperation between Pakistani and Egyptian agricultural research institutions, including exchange of experts, research collaboration, capacity building, joint trials and sharing of best practices in cotton production and other priority crops.

The minister also emphasised cooperation in water-efficient irrigation, seed development, biotechnology, climate-smart agriculture, mechanisation, livestock, horticulture and agricultural research, saying Pakistan is keen to benefit from Egypt's practical experience and technological advancements.

Hussain said the government is focusing on raising agricultural productivity, reducing production costs and improving farmers' incomes through modern technologies, quality inputs and stronger research-extension linkages.

The Egyptian envoy expressed Egypt's readiness to strengthen agricultural cooperation with Pakistan and assured that relevant Egyptian institutions would be encouraged to explore areas of mutual interest. Hassan highlighted Egypt's experience in cotton, irrigation, agricultural research and cultivation in water-scarce and arid conditions and welcomed greater exchanges between experts and research institutions of the two countries.

Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination and identify concrete areas for cooperation that could translate bilateral relations into practical benefits for farmers, agricultural productivity and food security in both countries.

Egypt and Pakistan have previously discussed cooperation in agriculture, food security, water-resource management, arid-zone farming, seed development, drip irrigation and climate-smart technologies.