Korean Ambassador Mr. Kwak Sung-Kyu and officials (Dr. Lee Coordinator KOPIA, Mr. Yoo Eunha Deputy Director RDA) of Korean Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) Rural Development Administration (RDA) called on Federal Minister National Food Security & Research Mr. Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan today in Islamabad. The meeting focused on the modalities and future goals regarding establishment of KOPIA- Center of Excellence in Pakistan. KOPIA is a division of an agriculture organization (RDA) under the Ministry of Agriculture in the Republic of Korea. It started its work in 2009 and established its offices in developing countries across the globe and still expanding, currently there are 21 KOPIA centers across the world, among which 7 are in Africa, 5 in Latin America and 9 in Asia. The deputy director KOPIA explained to the Federal Minister about the mandate and its prospects and potential in Pakistan. The organization basically focuses on three points in the field of agriculture targeting sustainable development and mutual benefits. The goals are the exchange of technologies, capacity building of farmers and researchers and finally augment agricultural productivity in the countries concerned. It was further told to the Federal Minister that the countries where the KOPIA centers are established identify and prioritize the sectors to be developed for optimum results. Federal Minister Mr. Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan told the delegation that we are in dire need to develop technologies to attain zero hunger objectives and equip our small farmers with modern technologies and impart relevant trainings to enhance the production. The Minister said we import potato seeds but the export of potatoes could not attain the desirable result as for seeds we rely on foreign countries and hence an adverse effect on balance of payment. He further said that it’s just one instance there are number of other sectors and commodities which could be exploited for the uplift of agro sector and the economy thereof. He welcomed the proposal regarding the technological advancements through the assistance of Korea as it’s the mechanization where the incumbent government focuses and Korean agro machinery like tractors, seed sowing machines, harvesting, machines etc are very viable and feasible for Pak farmers. Mr. Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan said that Pakistan is 5th largest producer of milk in the world but unfortunately only 5% of it is processed and that too is controlled and monitored by multinational companies, this percentage is much higher in India and Switzerland which is 30% and 100% respectively, the Minister further said the limitation to achieve the desired results is lack of technologies for processing and transportation and this is the reason why Pakistan lags behind despite the fact it is 5th largest in the world in terms of dairy. Same is the case with meat and Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan stressed on the need to increase the production of meat and the Ministry of food security is focusing to achieve this end. This becomes all the more important in view of a great demand for Halal meat across the world and Malaysia in the region imports bulk of Halal meat similarly our neighbor China is one of the largest importers of meat in the world which according to the statistics imports of amount $12billion. Mr. Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan said that Pakistan is blessed with ideal geographical location and has 1100 km coastline from Balochistan to Sindh and the potential is mostly unexploited and untapped, we could develop our own seed fish and end our reliance on other countries in seed fish. Korea is equipped with great potential in fisheries and an international fisheries University is likely to be established there, we could benefit from it and develop our own seed fish and increase the scope of cage fish farming at enormous level for the betterment of economy by becoming self-sufficient. He further appraised the delegation that government intends to achieve the target of $1billion export in fisheries in next 5 years. Federal Minister for National Food Security Mr. Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan said that Pakistan could increase its export as we produce fruit like mangoes and kinnows but due to the lack of technology and technical assistance the desired foreign exchange could not be attained through exports of these items and therefore we need assistance for value addition. Korean Ambassador Mr.Kwak Sung-Kyu said that Pakistan produces good mango and its price is reasonable comparatively but the only issue is its shelf life is short and for that Korean scientists and researchers could assist Pakistan. Pakistan exports Rice, Mangoes and Kinnows to Korea but unfortunately the volume is very small and could be enhanced provided the finished goods/ products meet the international standards. The Federal Minister showed his pleasure and welcomed the Korean Government’s venture in Pakistan and assured government’s full assistance to expedite the matter. It is pertinent to mention that MoU between the two countries is likely to be signed soon and before that this Centre of Excellence would be established/materialized and Korean Ambassador told the Federal Minister that the matter lies with Korean government and they will prepare Project Concept Proposal (PCP) after which Pakistan will prepare its PC-I, both the sides desired to attain the goal within a year of its inception (It started in April, 2018). Scientists /Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Research Council and senior officials from the Ministry of Food Security and Research were also present. *****
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