Agricultural Sector: US envoy stresses role of private sector

LAHORE: Ambassador of the United States to Pakistan Richard Olson, speaking at the 2nd annual Dawn Agriculture Expo emphasised the private sector’s crucial role in expanding Pakistan’s agricultural markets.

He also celebrated more than 50 years of US-Pakistan cooperation in the agriculture sector, a partnership that contributed to the green revolution of the 1950s and more recently has increased incomes for 800,000 families over the last three years.

The expo highlighted new technologies and development projects being implemented in Pakistan through the collaborative efforts of international donors, private sector companies, and the government.

Olson emphasised that the private sector must be involved for development assistance to be effective. “The challenge for Pakistan’s long-term sustainable agricultural development ultimately depends on private sector initiatives to take these programmes and transfer them into viable commercial enterprises.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2013.

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