FAISALABAD: Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Mr.Ishaq Latuconsina has said the population of Pakistan and Indonesia is more than 400 million, which offers a lucrative market and a huge potential for agriculture products.
He said that awareness about the health and medicinal benefits of fruit, vegetables and organic food was growing which resulting in the expansion of horticulture products market around the world.
He said this after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of Bogar Agricultural University Indonesia and University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) during an International Seminar on "Horticulture and Agribusiness in Developing Countries" jointly organized by Embassy of Republic of Indonesia and UAF in Old Senate Hall here on Thursday.
He said that agriculture sector of Indonesia had a vital role in its economic development and a major part of its population is associated with agriculture and agri-based industry. Like Pakistan, the agriculture sector of Indonesia has a hug potential and its produces and exports have diverse range of horticultural products including palm oil, coffee and coca products.
Mr. Ishaq Latuconisina said that horticulture and agri business provide an array of exciting investment opportunities and the investors of our two countries could benefit a lot through mutual collaboration which could be achieved by improving the product or the methods of production by all available means which is a fascinating and never ending challenges.
"More emphasis needs to be given on horticultural marketing and economics by having exchange programs between students of two countries so that information can be shared", he added.
He stressed the need to enhance cooperation for a robust interaction between the educational institutes of two countries, which would certainly be beneficial for the institutions, scholars and students of both sides. He hoped that the partnership between UAF and IPB will enhance opportunities for both sides to learn from the experience of each other and to share expertise in the respective field of knowledge.
Advocated the importance of horticulture industry and said that emphasize of both countries should be initiated by our agriculture scientists and universities to highlight the profitable areas of bilateral investment and cooperation in the sector.
Mr. Ishak Latuconisina hoped that a meaningful working relationship will begin from today through cooperation between educational institutes of two countries and enhance cooperation will also create new opportunities of frequent interaction between the educationists through exchange of information and bilateral visits between the two countries.
Earlier, presenting the welcome address, Professor Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan Vice Chancellor UAF told that mango is threatened by various diseases and Pakistan can gain a lot by having talk with Indonesian partners. In mango, there is no defined rootstock but we have a very capable team on both sides. He said in Pakistan, exports are based on surplus crop but we have to look on how to export a large volume to the world market.
He emphasized the need to collaborate effectively and become a real torch bearer in the development journey of the country as agriculture remains the main stay of the economy.
He told the gathering that we don't sit complaisant and multiply the production up to five folds as this country never witnessed more than 4 million cotton bales which now touch the height of 14 million bales and it is only happened that we reach to the end-users.
"We need a paradigm shift to put a positive impact on the society", he added. Professor Dr. Herry Suhardiyanto, Professor Dr. Yusman Syaukat, Dr. Muhammad Jameel Khan, Dr. Agus Purwito, Dr. Khalid Mustafa, Dr. Mubarik Ali CEO PARB, Professor Dr. Eriyatno, Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq, Dr. Rana M.Aslam Khan, Professor Dr. Asif Ali Khan and Dr. Jafar Jaskani also spoke on the occasion.
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