Mutual Cooperation is needed in transfer of technology from Japan about agricultural machinery. This was said by Federal Minister for National Foid Security and Research,Syed Fakhar Imam while meeting Ambassador of Japna, H.E. Matsuda Kuninori on Monday.Syed Fakhar Imam asked to provide market access of Pakistani citrus in Japan based on our historical trade of citrus fruit with China, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Iran with cold treatment prescribed in US treatment manual and acceptable to China, Russia, Iran etc. and no non-compliance ever received against this treatment from such countries because it works well to eliminate all fruit flies from our (mandarin) Kinnow. He also admired Kobe beef of Japan. Matsuda Kuninori mentioned that Pakistani mango is more fragnant. He showed interest in export of Basmati Rice from Pakistan. Pakistan exported 3847 thousand USD of Basmati Rice last year to Japan. apanese Ambassador also showed interest in developing mutual agricultural research. MAFF, Japan has granted market access to fresh Pakistani mango but its import in Japan is subject to offshore disinfestation treatment / sterilization at a temperature of 47 C or higher for 25 minutes using saturated steam at vapour heat treatment facility dully approved by DPP & Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) / National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of Japan and pre-clearance program by Japanese Inspectors. The export of Pakistani mango fruit (Sindhri & Chaunsa) from Pakistan to Japan is underway. Roomi Foods Pvt. Ltd. has shipped successfully 3 mango shipments to Japan as per agreed procedure between DPP and MAFF as a temporary measure.
Federal Minister extended deep appreciation to MAFF for facilitating export of mango from Pakistan to Japan by exempting pre-clearance in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak instead of restricting it due to difficulty in implementation of pre-clearance. Federal Japan and Pakistan shares notable history of cooperation including Japanese assistance for agricultural development in Pakistan in the shape of scholarships for higher studies, on-job training courses and support to the agricultural research system by provision of equipment. Establishment of Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRI) at NARC is one such example. It may be important to note that the Japanese Government has previously acceded to the request of the Government of Pakistan and awarded funds to UNIDO in 2019 for launching project on “Agri-Business and Agro-Industry Development” with an estimated cost of US $ 3.02 million. The Japanese Ambassador during his call on the Hon’ble Minister for NFSR on 27.04.2020 unveiled the intention of the Japanese Government to provide a package of USD an assistance package to fight the desert locust in Pakistan. Japan has provided 58,502 litres insecticide last month in Multan, Bahawalpur, Sukkar, Mirpurkhas, Dera Bugti and Dera Ismael Khan.
