ID :
48012
Fri, 02/27/2009 - 20:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/48012
The shortlink copeid
D8 MINISTERS CALL FOR CLOSER COOPERATION
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Indonesia Thursday proposed that Developing Eight (D8) countries use organic instead of chemical fertilisers and thus make savings on subsidy which could be used for financing infrastructure development.
Speaking at the plenary session of the D8 Ministers' Meeting on Food
Security conference here, Indonesian Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono said
the member countries should also increase and improve efficiency in fertilizer
usage at the farm level so that there was no wastage or over usage.
He also called for the setting up of a seed bank where seeds stored in a
bank account could be released when needed and ensured that farmers received
necessary amount of good quality seeds when needed.
Besides Indonesia, seven other countries -- Malaysia, Bangladesh, Iran,
Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey attended the three-day meeting, which ends
Friday.
The conference, hosted by Malaysia, focuses on three main aspects, the
production of high quality seeds, animal feed and fertilizers.
On animal feed, Anton said countries should endeavour to develop animal feed
using local raw materials especially corn and fish meal, palm kernel and dried
cassava chips.
Deputy Agriculture Minister of Iran Dr Jafar Khalghani meanwhile proposed
the establishment of a joint research group on food security amongst the eight
member countries.
He told the session that such a grouping could work towards new areas of
knowlege and realise the vision of D8.
Khalghani suggested the formation of a common market and setting up of a
market information system.
He also proposed the adoption of a common trade standard for food
commodities and labelling for organic agriculture products.
The Pakistani Minister of Food and Agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal,
wanted member countries to assist in making its social support programme for the
poor successful.
His statement at the session was read by the Pakistani High Commissioner
here, Lt.Gen. (Rtd) Tahir M. Qazi.
The Bangladesh representative, Sheikh Enayatullah who is also the Bangladesh
Agriculture Ministry, Secretary-General, told the session that mutual
cooperation among member countries could be made in:
+Production of high yielding forage/fodder varieties;
+Technical Cooperation in animal feed milling;
+Laboratory, reasearch and manpower development and
+Export and Import of surplus animal feed within member countries.
Nigeria's Deputy Agriculture and Water Resources Minister, Fidelia A.Njeze
said her country had developed a National Food Security Programme to ensure
sustainable access, availability and affordability of quality food to all its
people and make the country a significant net provider of food to the world.
A similar programme could also be implemented within the D8 countries.
She said that the country had also promoted the use of tractors for land
preparation before farming and the private sector was encouraged to take the
initiative and provide 10,000 tractors over a three-year period.
Fidelia said there was tremendous scope for the development of agriculture
in her country and invited member countries to participate in the venture,
assuring them that her government would give full protection to their
investments.
-- BERNAMA
Speaking at the plenary session of the D8 Ministers' Meeting on Food
Security conference here, Indonesian Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono said
the member countries should also increase and improve efficiency in fertilizer
usage at the farm level so that there was no wastage or over usage.
He also called for the setting up of a seed bank where seeds stored in a
bank account could be released when needed and ensured that farmers received
necessary amount of good quality seeds when needed.
Besides Indonesia, seven other countries -- Malaysia, Bangladesh, Iran,
Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey attended the three-day meeting, which ends
Friday.
The conference, hosted by Malaysia, focuses on three main aspects, the
production of high quality seeds, animal feed and fertilizers.
On animal feed, Anton said countries should endeavour to develop animal feed
using local raw materials especially corn and fish meal, palm kernel and dried
cassava chips.
Deputy Agriculture Minister of Iran Dr Jafar Khalghani meanwhile proposed
the establishment of a joint research group on food security amongst the eight
member countries.
He told the session that such a grouping could work towards new areas of
knowlege and realise the vision of D8.
Khalghani suggested the formation of a common market and setting up of a
market information system.
He also proposed the adoption of a common trade standard for food
commodities and labelling for organic agriculture products.
The Pakistani Minister of Food and Agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal,
wanted member countries to assist in making its social support programme for the
poor successful.
His statement at the session was read by the Pakistani High Commissioner
here, Lt.Gen. (Rtd) Tahir M. Qazi.
The Bangladesh representative, Sheikh Enayatullah who is also the Bangladesh
Agriculture Ministry, Secretary-General, told the session that mutual
cooperation among member countries could be made in:
+Production of high yielding forage/fodder varieties;
+Technical Cooperation in animal feed milling;
+Laboratory, reasearch and manpower development and
+Export and Import of surplus animal feed within member countries.
Nigeria's Deputy Agriculture and Water Resources Minister, Fidelia A.Njeze
said her country had developed a National Food Security Programme to ensure
sustainable access, availability and affordability of quality food to all its
people and make the country a significant net provider of food to the world.
A similar programme could also be implemented within the D8 countries.
She said that the country had also promoted the use of tractors for land
preparation before farming and the private sector was encouraged to take the
initiative and provide 10,000 tractors over a three-year period.
Fidelia said there was tremendous scope for the development of agriculture
in her country and invited member countries to participate in the venture,
assuring them that her government would give full protection to their
investments.
-- BERNAMA
