Framework Collaboration Agreement
The Ministry of IT & Telecommunication and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations virtually signed a framework collaboration agreement to jointly work for the development of the agriculture sector of Pakistan by using information technology. Mr. Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Secretary IT & Telecommunication and Ms. Minà Dowlatchahi, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative virtually signed framework collaboration agreement while sitting in Pakistan and Rome, Italy respectively.
“Agriculture is the mainstay of Pakistan’s economy as it contributes around 20 percent in the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is also a big source of employment. Low growth, water shortage, environmental concerns, volatile energy prices, rising expectations of consumers – these are some of the complex challenges the agriculture sector is facing today, in the face of diminishing production profit margins for farmers.” – Mr. Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui.
Ms. Minà Dowlatchahi said that innovation in agriculture in Pakistan is a necessity – small farmers are not only food producers, they are consumers and also guardians of Pakistan’s natural resources: soils, water, biodiversity and seeds. Through the framework collaboration agreement, both organizations vow to collaborate in providing a framework for supporting the formulation and execution of local and/or national projects in Pakistan. These projects will aim to benefit sustainable and inclusive agricultural and food systems (agriculture, livestock, forestry, and aquaculture) to contribute to achieving zero hunger and poverty eradication.
Both FAO and MoITT, through Ignite, will share material such as statistical information, software and maps, made available by the FAO or MoITT/Ignite for use in the activities under this collaboration agreement. Both organizations jointly agreed to host the “e-Agriculture Innovations Challenge” to be held in Islamabad to address the pressing challenges facing the agriculture sector.
