Under phase II of its Agriculture Sector Linkages Program (ASLP), Australia is investing $13 million in support of Pakistan’s agricultural sector.
The first phase of the program was launched in 2005 and included the installation of furrow irrigation by approximately 1,000 Pakistani citrus farmers resulting in a reduction in water usage by 40% and the first successful shipment of mangoes from Pakistan to European markets by a consortium of farmers.
The collaboration between the two countries that includes businesses and research initiatives supported by expertise from the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), has been a driving force behind the development of Pakistan’s mango, dairy, and citrus industries and has laid the path for future cooperation between the two countries regarding agriculture and water conservation.
Following the ASLP, the two countries will be involved in a similar program currently under development to be called the Agriculture Value Chain Collaborative Research (AVCCR) program. Under this initiative, Australian experts will advise and assist Pakistan to improve its agricultural productivity, shift toward the production of value-added food and agricultural products, and find markets for its production.
“Our common climatic conditions, ecological diversity and federal systems of the government are an obvious platform of mutual interest to share knowledge and to establish research and technical linkages between our two countries aimed at a sustainable future, food security, environmental protection and economic prosperity for our people,” said Margaret Adamson, Australia’s High Commissioner in Pakistan. “Our mutual interest is strengthening in light of the impacts of climate change on our ecosystems.”
Commenting on the Australian funds flowing to Pakistan, Ms. Adamson said that the programs will focus on improvements to “agricultural productivity, water resources management, and industry,” with a special aim toward forwarding gender equality, as 72% of the women in Pakistan have a link to the agricultural sector.