MSIA TO IMPORT MEAT, RICE AND KINNO FROM PAKISTAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is to import meat, rice and kinno
(orange) from Pakistan.

Federal Food and Agriculture Minister, Nazar Mohammad Gondal said Malaysia
will import 0.15 million tonnes of rice from Pakistan, besides enhancing imports
in meat and orange.

"It will help Pakistan increase the production of meat and improve the
packing and processing of orange for export to Malaysia," he said in a statement
from the Pakistan High Commission here.

On Wednesday, Gondal held a joint-press conference with visiting Malaysian
Minister for Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, Noh Omar in Islamabad.

The statement said Noh had indicated that both Pakistan and Malaysia could
enhance cooperation in various fields, including agriculture.

Both countries also signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) in this
regard.

According to Gondal, a joint working group would be established to
coordinate work in the agriculture, livestock and horticulture sectors.

He also highlighted that there were huge investment opportunities in the
agriculture sector in Pakistan.

"There are countless investment opportunities in farm mechanisation, seeds,
oil palm production and post-harvest handling, infrastructure development and
horticulture for Malaysian investors.

"There is also tunnel farming for growing off-season vegetables and
hydroponics for growing fruits and vegetables.We can collaborate to benefit from
each other's strengths, he stated.

During Noh's visit, a presentation to the Malaysian delegation stressed
Pakistan's future thrust on farm mechanisation, including the manufacture of
tractors, farm machinery and equipment, high efficiency irrigation systems (drip
and sprinkle) and the solar pumping system.

Gondal said Pakistan desired to upgrade and modernise its farming practices
to ensure food security in future.

"The population explosion, rapid urbanisation, climate change, globalisation
and expanding technology, are the trends that must be considered well before
forming any future strategy for our agriculture sector," he said.
--BERNAMA