Punjab, Korean delegation agree to boost livestock and agriculture cooperation

Lahore – A Korean delegation led by CHO SOK JAE met with Punjab Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani. Secretary Livestock Ahmad Aziz Tarar was also present on the occasion.

Additional Secretary Technical Dr. Usman Tahir, Director General Production Dr. Naeem Kanwar, Director Communication Dr. Khaliq Shafi and senior officials of the Agriculture Department also attended the meeting.

The meeting included a detailed discussion on the use of modern technology, mutual cooperation, investment and the promotion of trade relations in the livestock and agriculture sectors.

The Korean delegation said that it was working on advanced technology for first-generation potato seed which could prove to be an effective alternative to the conventional seed currently imported into Pakistan.

According to the delegation, their first-generation seed could help achieve higher yields thereby increasing the productivity and potential of the agricultural sector. The delegation also introduced an advanced blood-based pregnancy testing kit for animals.

According to the delegation, the kit can detect pregnancy in animals through a blood sample as early as 28 days after conception with results available in approximately 30 minutes. The delegation also expressed interest in producing the testing kit locally in Pakistan.

On the occasion, Provincial Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani invited the Korean delegation to invest in Pakistan’s livestock and agricultural sectors. He said that the Punjab government welcomed the promotion of modern technology and international cooperation.

In this regard, the Provincial Minister appointed Director General Production Dr. Naeem Kanwar as the focal person to evaluate the blood pregnancy testing kit and prepare a technical report.

The Provincial Minister directed that the kit be practically tested at government livestock farms and that a comprehensive technical report be prepared and submitted. This would help determine the future course of action regarding the effective use of this technology.