Pakistan advocates for enhanced agricultural and food security collaboration with Egypt
**Pakistan and Egypt Strengthen Agricultural Ties**
Pakistan and Egypt have pledged to deepen their collaboration in the fields of agricultural science, biotechnology, and sustainable practices, as highlighted at a recent event attended by diplomats, government officials, and members of the business community.
Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, represented Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the ceremony held in Islamabad to mark Egypt's National Day. During the event, Hussain emphasized the importance of joint initiatives in areas such as agricultural science, seed development, arid farming, capacity building, drip irrigation, and climate-smart technologies.
Egypt, with its notable expertise in climate-smart technologies and arid farming, is an ideal partner for Pakistan in addressing common challenges such as water scarcity and food security. Both countries recognize the potential for partnering in sustainable agricultural practices and believe that productive partnerships between research institutions and the private sector could be the key to success.
One of the initiatives proposed is the revival of the Pakistan–Egypt Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC). Efforts are underway to finalize new bilateral agreements in trade, agriculture, higher education, and cultural exchange, which will likely provide a structured path for future cooperation in these sectors.
While not specifically focused on Pakistan, Egypt is actively pursuing stronger agricultural investments across Africa. This includes mechanisms for boosting bilateral cooperation in food production and agribusiness, which could serve as a model for future collaborations with Pakistan.
An ongoing collaboration between the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and Egyptian stakeholders to expand barley cultivation in reclaimed lands demonstrates Egypt's commitment to climate-resilient agriculture. This could be a model for similar initiatives in Pakistan.
Future projects might involve joint research initiatives between Pakistani and Egyptian institutions to develop more resilient and productive agricultural systems. Potential areas of focus include capacity building in Pakistan through Egyptian expertise in irrigation systems and climate-smart technologies, as well as encouraging private sector involvement to facilitate investment and innovation in joint agricultural ventures.
The minister acknowledged Egypt's support on regional and international matters and praised the ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and Egypt at multilateral forums such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations. As these collaborations continue to grow, both countries look forward to a future of mutual growth and progress in the agricultural sector.
- The collaboration between Pakistan and Egypt could potentially extend to the fields of education and culture, as both countries see the value in knowledge exchange and understanding different perspectives.
- In light of their shared interests in technology and business, it is possible that the two countries will explore opportunities for technological advancements in agriculture, such as the use of digital farming tools and smart agriculture practices.
- As both Pakistan and Egypt place a high importance on environmental sustainability, they might adopt and share strategies for preserving the natural environment, especially in relation to agriculture, such as implementing eco-friendly farming practices and protecting biodiversity.
- The sports sector also offers opportunities for cooperation between Pakistan and Egypt, with possibilities for exchange programs, joint training initiatives, and international sports events to promote cultural understanding and friendship.
