Federal Minister of National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema welcomed a delegation of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO) led by its representative Ms. Florence Rolle. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary National Food Security Capt (r) Muhammad Asif, SJS Javed Humayun and Technical Adviser Dr. Akmal Siddique.
Tariq Bashir Cheema welcomed the delegation at his office. Ms. Florence congratulated the Federal Minister on taking charge of the ministry and briefed him of the working of the FAO.
Federal Minister said that the agriculture is of paramount importance and FAO can play a key role in transforming the agriculture industry. He appreciated the work being carried out by FAO in Pakistan and assured the delegation of full support and cooperation with them. He said that Pakistan is facing a lot of challenges but with absolute resolve these challenges can be converted into opportunities for the country. Tariq Bashir Cheema said that climate change and agriculture are directly linked and that these challenges need to be addressed as a whole.
Ms. Florence said that FAO is working tirelessly in supporting government with respect to policy formulation and knowledge management. She told the minister that FAO is leading projects in agriculture worth $ 170 Million which includes 35 projects. She offered to do a detailed briefing for the minister of each project. Ms. Florence told the minister that the biggest project is worth $ 45 Mn. Ms. Florence briefed the minister about an on-going assessment of the organizational structure of PARC and the ministry. She said that findings of the assessment will help in improving efficiency.
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