Meeting between the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Mr. K.D. Lal Kantha, and the Pakistani High Commissioner
A meeting between the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Mr. K.D. Lal Kantha, and the Pakistani High Commissioner, Major General Dr. Nayyar Naseer, was held yesterday (25th) at the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Pakistani High Commissioner, who attended the event, expressed his views as follows.
“First of all, I am grateful for arranging this opportunity. Since Pakistan is an agricultural country and Sri Lanka is also an agricultural country, there is the potential for mutual assistance between the two nations. Pakistan ranks fifth in the world in terms of animal production. It also stands fifth in milk production. Therefore, there is the possibility of building a relationship between the two countries in that regard. We are ready to assist Sri Lanka unconditionally.
Pakistan has sugar production and vegetable production. Fruits and every other sector are at a high level. We have developed good varieties of Basmati strains in our country. There is the ability to develop Basmati varieties suitable for Sri Lanka. Pakistan has a high-quality and very delicious variety of mango.
Since 2010, we changed the name of the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Food Security. Although water is available, distribution problems persist. That situation affects both the distribution of drinking water and the irrigation sector. Pakistan has advanced in terms of agriculture and animal production.
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka is scheduled to visit Pakistan at the end of June. We are preparing for it very eagerly. I extend an invitation to the Minister of Agriculture to join the Prime Minister on this visit. If not, I invite him to come to Pakistan on another occasion to witness the progress and development that has been achieved in the agricultural sector.
Within Pakistan, there is a Centre of Excellence. You can observe the research and development institutions affiliated with it.
After 2010, the subject of agriculture in Pakistan has been devolved, granting provinces the authority to engage in agriculture as well. Accordingly, Centres of Excellence have been established at the provincial level too.
A Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was last signed in the year 2010. It is important to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding relating to specific subjects, particularly in areas such as coconut, pineapple, capacity development, and animal production. In that regard, we can work together with greater cooperation than before.”
The Minister also expressed his views, responding to the comments of the Pakistani High Commissioner.
“First of all, I express my pleasure regarding this meeting. With regard to Pakistan’s renaming of the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Food Security, we too can draw a good idea from that. What exists in our country as well is not a water shortage, but a problem of water management.
Pakistan is a country that has never exerted political influence on our country at any time. I am grateful to Pakistan for assisting Sri Lanka without any ulterior motives and for not seeking political advantages. Therefore, we are able to work openly with Pakistan.
Thank you for the invitation to join the Prime Minister on the visit. I will come to Pakistan for a visit on another occasion. The intervention of Pakistan regarding the United States – Iran war should be appreciated. There is no problem whatsoever in signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Pakistan.”
On this occasion, the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Mr. D.P. Wickremasinghe expressed gratitude for the support extended by Pakistan during the Cyclone Ditwah. The Secretary also requested that the necessary assistance be provided to obtain sufficient fertilizer for the upcoming cultivation season.
