Agriculture: ‘Research collaboration could help ensure food security’

Pakistan could benefit from Nepal’s experience with biogas, says the ambassador.

FAISALABAD:

Nepal could increase its agricultural productivity with help from experts from Pakistan, Nepal’s Ambassador to Pakistan Bharat Raj Paudyal said on Friday.

He was speaking at a Deans’ Committee meeting at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Deputy Chief of Mission Tirtha Raj Aryal and the ambassador’s wife Totra Kumari Achaya were also present on the occasion.

The ambassador said Nepal and Pakistan had similar cultures. Collaboration would open a new chapter of progress for both countries, he said. “Universities play a pivotal role for social and economic uplift.”

He said Nepal had great potential in biogas as an alternative energy source. “Biogas technology is used by a large number of households in Nepal...Pakistan can benefit from it too,” he said.

He said the UAF enjoyed a good reputation and had become a centre of agricultural knowledge. He approved of the vice chancellor’s proposal to initiate an internship and linkage programme between the UAF and universities in Nepal.



The vice chancellor said food security was an area of grave concern. He said expedient efforts would pave the way for food security for Nepal and Pakistan.

Linkage programmes would help both countries benefit from each others’ experience in the agricultural sector, he said.

The University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, had helped bring forth a green revolution in the country, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2014.