The two countries are looking to turn growing bilateral ties into practical cooperation on agricultural technology, livestock development, irrigation, mechanization, trade, investment and food security.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Ethiopia have agreed to intensify cooperation in agriculture and livestock, with both sides seeking to convert their expanding diplomatic engagement into concrete projects, stronger trade links and long-term institutional partnerships.
The understanding emerged during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain with Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Oumer Hussein Oba.
Discussions covered a broad range of areas, including agricultural research, livestock development, food security, agricultural trade, investment, technology transfer and private-sector collaboration.
Both sides noted that Pakistan and Ethiopia are predominantly agrarian economies with considerable scope to complement each other through research partnerships, technology sharing and expanded market access.
Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted Pakistan’s experience in agricultural research, modern farming technologies, farm machinery, irrigation systems, livestock development and agro-processing, and said Islamabad was prepared to share technical expertise with Ethiopia.
He identified agricultural research, higher crop productivity, seed development, climate-resilient farming, irrigation, mechanization and livestock as areas where cooperation could be expanded significantly.
The minister also pointed to potential opportunities for Pakistani manufacturers and service providers in Ethiopia, particularly in tractors, agricultural machinery, irrigation solutions and agro-processing technologies.
Livestock formed another major part of the discussions, with both sides exploring possible cooperation in animal breeding, veterinary services, disease prevention and control, dairy and meat production, feed and fodder development and the modernization of livestock value chains.
The meeting also focused on the need to increase bilateral agricultural trade.
Rana Tanveer Hussain stressed that stronger coordination on sanitary and phytosanitary standards would be important for improving market access and facilitating the movement of agricultural and livestock products between the two countries.
He said greater business-to-business engagement, investment partnerships and joint ventures could provide a practical route for expanding commercial ties.
Pakistan also reiterated its proposal to establish a Joint Working Group on Agriculture and Livestock, which would serve as a formal mechanism for regular consultations, technical exchanges and the development of specific bilateral programmes.
Ambassador Dr. Oumer Hussein Oba welcomed Pakistan’s interest in broadening agricultural cooperation and highlighted Ethiopia’s potential as both a producer of agricultural commodities and a destination for investment.
He expressed Ethiopia’s readiness to work more closely with Pakistan in agriculture, livestock, technology, trade and investment.
The two sides agreed that future engagement should move beyond broad expressions of interest and focus instead on specific projects, technical collaboration, private-sector partnerships and measurable trade opportunities. They also reaffirmed their intention to strengthen Pakistan-Ethiopia relations in agriculture and food security while identifying new avenues for mutually beneficial investment and technology cooperation.
