ISLAMABAD, April 21: Pakistan and Egypt have agreed to enhance mutual cooperation in crops productivity, livestock, horticulture, trade and exchange of expertise. During a meeting of Agriculture Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan with his Egyptian counterpart Amin Abaza, both the countries also signed an action plan to implement a memorandum of understanding for mutual exchange and sharing of positive experiences in realm of agriculture sectors.

During the meeting held in Cairo, Mr Bosan said Pakistan was interested in high-yielding, drought and virus-resistant crops of rice, wheat and sugarcane and cultivation of high sugar content plant, says a press release.

The meeting also decided that both the countries would exchange post-harvest technology in horticulture and frozen semen in livestock. The meeting decided that exchange of visits of professionals would be facilitated at al levels. Eventually, Pakistan will utilize the five scholarships provided annually by the Egyptian International Centre of Agriculture within specified areas of cooperation.

The action plan also accorded preference to encourage trade of agricultural products and commodities of mutual interests and needs.

Pakistani delegation also visited agriculture research stations, Agricultural Genetics and Engineering Research Institute, field crops and cotton research institutes and various horticulture farms in Cairo. The delegation was also briefed by the Horticulture Export Improvement Association.—APP