KARACHI: China will help to broaden the long-term scientific collaboration in research and technical areas in agriculture sector as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been inked in this regard.

According to a member on crop sciences PARC, Dr Ghulam Jilani on Friday, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) would co-operate in water resource management, hybrid cotton, maize, horticulture and other transgenic crops.

He said CAAS and the PARC under Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) reaffirmed their mutual interest focusing on the broad areas of science and technology. These departments are focusing on the natural resources for preservation and profitability of agriculture in both the countries, he added.

The agro-economic experts, PARC and CAAS scientists will pay reciprocal visits to collaborate in new areas of research or plan for additional long-term exchanges, Dr Jilani added. He said the PARC and CAAS would work for mutual benefits in animal science, plant science, soil science, agriculture, natural resources management and other related fields with mutual consultation. The MoU is intended to serve as a framework for discussion and co-ordination in matters related to agriculture and natural resources managements. It will also facilitate collaborative activities between both sides in matters of science and technology.

The individual projects should be mutually developed by PARC and CAAS and their institutions will co-operate on the basis of specific research and development besides the CAAS may arrange short and long-term academic training in its institutions in various areas for PARC, he added.

The Chairman Fruit and Vegetable Processors and Exporters Association (FVPEA), Mateen Siddiqui said both the countries would encourage and facilitate direct contact among the relevant institutions and specialists and work toward long-term co-operation in agricultural research, exchanges, training and development programmes.