ISLAMABAD, Sept 19 (dna): The delegation from Chinese Academy of
Agricultural Science, members Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau
International (CABI) called on Federal Minister for National Food
Security and Research Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan in Islamabad
Thursday.

The Executive Director Global Operations CABI, Mr. Ulrich Kuhlman
briefed about the steps to be taken by CABI to facilitate both the
countries to materialize the objects specified in MoU signed among the
three parties. A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed
between China, CABI and Ministry of National Food Security & Research,
Pakistan in November 2018 for cooperation in Agriculture Research &
Development under the Belt & Road Initiative.

The mutual areas of cooperation under the memorandum were cooperation in
research, capacity building of agro-scientists, entomologist, regional
pest management, quarantine facilities, weed control and Maximum Residue
Limit (MRL) standards for food crops like maize, wheat and rice.

The CABI’s mandate revolves around Pest Control and research in
Entomology in commonwealth countries; China is non-commonwealth member
of CABI and Pakistan is facing a Sanitary- Phyto Sanitary (SPS)
restriction which has limited its exports in plants (Crops & other agro
commodities). Hence, the purpose of the subject MoU was to formulate a
plan of action which will equip Pakistan with necessary skills to meet
the stringent international SPS measures to enhance its exports, which
otherwise is limited in the area and which could be greatly enhanced.

The plan of action proposed was that CABI and PARC (Pakistan Agriculture
Research Council) to nominate the scientists to develop initial list of
bio-control research ideas, establishment of joint laboratory and
relevant quarantine facilities. Moreover, under the MoU regional
surveillance team of scientists would be formulated to keep track of the
activities undertaken and progress made thereof, furthermore, the said
team will monitor the existing laboratories, facilities to formulate
proposals.

Belt and Road Initiative brings great prospects for Joint ventures
between two countries, this cooperation will not only boost the
agricultural research but also increase Pakistan’s agro-commodities
export to China and other countries.

Currently a lot is to be done in this regard and the Federal Minister
said that we are focusing on building maximum capacity for our
scientists so the agriculture could be revolutionized and he also
expressed his desire that the current MoU between the three parties
focused on plants & crops, if successful we will expand its scope to
livestock and work on capacity building in the field and meet higher
export targets livestock, meat and dairy. The participants deliberated
upon the steps taken so far to materialize the proposals/ plan of
actions mentioned in the MoU.

CABI’s Regional Director expressed that CABI is very keen & is well
aware of Pakistan’s role towards this organization and hence under Belt
& Road initiative will facilitate both the countries for maximum results
with special focus on mutual exchange of training programs and
technology for effective pest control and management thereof. Federal
Minister thanked CABI for its consistent support & proposals in this
regard and assured that Ministry of National Food Security & Research
would render maximum support to get things done well in desired time.