Pak, Argentina to join hands in livestock, dairy production
By Tariq Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan and Argentina have decided to undertake joint ventures in livestock and dairy production and carry out joint research in agro-technology including oilseed and hybrid seed production in Pakistan.
A Memorandum of Understanding in this connection was signed Wednesdayat in Buenos Aires in Agriculture. Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan and his Argentine counterpart Engr. Miguel Campos signed the document.
The MoU contemplates exchange of scientists, research and expertise including in biotechnology. The MOU also covers import and export of agri products. Speaking on the occasion the Federal Minister highlighted specific areas in which Pakistan was looking for mutually beneficial collaboration with Argentina, said a message received here today.
The Argentine side showed interest in supplying hybrid sunflower seeds to Pakistan. The Minister invited Argentine entrepreneurs to enter into joint venture projects for meat production and processing in Pakistan for supply to local market as well as to the neighboring Gulf countries. Argentina offered technical assistance for improving dairy production including pasteurizing and distribution infrastructure. Other areas of cooperation identified included sugar cane, wheat and cotton production.
The Minister sought opening of the Argentine market to Pakistani Basmati rise, mangoes and kinnoo. The Argentine side agreed to help Pakistan in meeting the statutory requirements of imports of food commodities in Argentina to enable to market these products.
Federal Minister invited his counterpart to visit Pakistan with a delegation of technical experts and livestock and farmers next year. The invitation was accepted. Sikandar Bosan visit was an important follow up of the President’sground breaking visit to Argentina in December 2004. Subsequently, the first meeting of Pakistan-Argentina Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation held in Pakistan in September 2005 had identified agriculture as the most important area of bilateral cooperation.
The Minister and his delegation visited various research, biotechnology and farming facilities in Argentina. They also saw livestock and agricultural farms and a meat processing plant.