Agriculture cooperation to be expanded under CPEC: Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar

Dated : 12 December 2018

Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar has said that the Government is committed to promote agriculture sector adding that agriculture cooperation will be expanded between Pakistan and China under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The Federal Minister was talking to Minister for National Food Security & Research Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan who called on him at Islamabad on Wednesday. PD CPEC Hasan Daud Butt and senior officials of the Ministry were also present in the meeting.

The Minister stated that there is a need to upgrade and modernize agriculture sector to reap maximum dividends as more than 60% population is associated with this field. ‘Mechanization of agriculture sector and value addition of its products will result in enhancement of agricultural productivity’, said the minister. The minister said that Chinese cooperation will be sought in improving the various sectors of agriculture field by focusing, among others, on enhancing cooperation in co-branding of products, post harvest promotion of commodities and establishing free zones.

During the meeting, various proposals came under discussion regarding agriculture cooperation with China in the upcoming Joint Cooperation Committee meeting scheduled for 20th December in Beijing.