Cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in the agricultural sector is essential to ensure food security: Masood Khan

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan said close cooperation between Pakistan and the United States was essential to ensure food security, especially following the devastating floods that inundated a third of the country. country and washed away 4 million acres of farmland.

Ambassador Masood Khan voiced these views during an interview with a visiting Pakistani delegation at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington DC.

The visiting delegation shared details of their meetings which aimed to promote bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in the agricultural sector, particularly in supporting cotton cultivation with the timely availability of ‘BT’ seeds. .

The delegation also briefed on their interactions to promote bilateral exchange programs, especially to strengthen collaboration between agricultural universities and research institutes of the two countries.

Ambassador Masood Khan said the Ukraine crisis, coupled with the devastating floods in Pakistan, has aggravated the food security problem and therefore requires immediate attention.

He thanked the government and people of the United States for standing with Pakistan following unprecedented flooding that particularly affected the farming community.

Appreciating the $66 million in flood relief by the US government, the Ambassador pointed out that $10 million has been allocated for food security in the country.

He briefed the delegation on efforts to promote, strengthen and institutionalize bilateral cooperation and transform the country’s agricultural sector along modern lines with the help of American expertise.

Ambassador Khan assured the delegation of the Embassy’s full support in connecting relevant departments and officials with their US counterparts and keeping tabs on continued progress in mutually agreed areas of cooperation.