Sikandar Bosan inaugurates a new wing of FAO Building at NARC premises

Islamabad, September 05, 2013 (PPI-OT): Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research inaugurated a new wing of the building of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations here at National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC) premises.

Additional Secretary of National Food Security Rao Iftikhar, outgoing FAO Representative in Pakistan Kevin Gallagher, new FAO Representative in Pakistan Patrick Evans and other senior officials and scientists of NARC were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, federal minister said that being primarily an agriculture country, Pakistan attached great importance to its relationship with FAO and since joining FAO Pakistan has worked closely with it to improve the livelihoods of the farmers of the country. The minister further stated that the addition of a new wing to FAO building will able the latter to house new programs and projects to serve the farmers of the country.

Mr. Sikandar Bosan also appreciated the role played by FAO in rehabilitation of agriculture and livestock after devastation of 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods. The federal minister emphasized:

“Economy of Pakistan largely depended upon agriculture and it was the need of the hour to transform agriculture into a profitable business to improve the financial condition of vast majority of rural community and also to make Pakistan a food sufficient country. This is the most practical way of eradicating poverty and hunger from the country and this is also completely in line with the FAO global mandate”.

The federal minister also thanked the outgoing FAO Representative Kevin Gallagher for being instrumental in expanding FAO activities in Pakistan and for initiating a number of new programs and projects for the uplift of the rural sector.

The minister also welcomed new FAO Representative Patrick Evans and assured him of an all out support of his ministry in carrying out former’s responsibilities in Pakistan. “Let us work together to bring a positive change in the lives of small farmers”, emphasized the federal minister.

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