Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has proposed enhanced cooperation between Pakistani and Egyptian agricultural research institutions.

He was talking to Ambassador of Egypt to Pakistan Dr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan during a meeting in Islamabad Monday.

Rana Tanveer Hussain particularly sought Egypt's support and technical expertise in increasing cotton yield and improving cotton quality in Pakistan, stressing that Egypt's experience in cotton varieties, quality seed, crop management and value addition could be highly beneficial for Pakistan's cotton sector.

He also emphasized cooperation in water-efficient irrigation, seed development, biotechnology, climate-smart agriculture, mechanization, livestock, horticulture and agricultural research, saying that Pakistan is keen to benefit from Egypt's practical experience and technological advancements.

Ambassador Dr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan expressed Egypt's readiness to strengthen agricultural cooperation with Pakistan and assured that relevant Egyptian institutions would be encouraged to explore areas of mutual interest.