ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Wednesday agreed to enhance their mutual cooperation for agricultural development.

The consensus was developed following the visit of Uzbek Ambassador in Pakistan, Furkat A. Sidikov to the National Agricultural Research Centre (Narc), Islamabad.

During the visit, the Uzbek envoy discussed various avenues for mutual cooperation to develop the agriculture sector.

The two sides also held a detailed discussion on areas of mutual interests including agro-machinery, processed food, dry fruits, fresh fruits, cotton, milk and its by-products and leather.

While speaking on the occasion, Mr Sidikov said that cotton-picking equipment and tractors from Uzbekistan have reached Pakistan and are now operating in fields at the Cotton Research Institute Multan.

A team of experts from Cotton Research Institute had visited Uzbekistan recently to review the possibility of collaboration of experts from both the countries in the agriculture sector.

Chairman of Pakistan Agriculture Organisation, Dr Yusuf Zafar, informed the Uzbek Ambassador that the areas discussed with the envoy areas are of utmost importance to Pakistan since the country is an agro-based economy.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2017