Karachi:
Indonesian diplomats and Pakistani scientists have urgently stimulated the local cultivation of oil palm to reduce the country’s high dependence on imported edible oil.
Important Pakistan currently 92% of edible oil, costing approximately 4 to 5 billion dollars a year, experts stressed that the cultivation of at least 60,000 acres with the oil palm could attract an investment of $ 30 million and considerably reduce the import bill.
A high -level Indonesian delegation, led by the acting consul general Teguh Wiwiek and the economic affairs consul, Drhad Ahmad Syofyan, visited the Tandojam of the Sindh Agricultural University (SAU) to explore avenues for joint research and technical collaboration.
The delegation examined the progress of the experimental planting within the framework of the Sau-Dalda oil palm pilot project on the university’s lactive experimental farm and engaged in discussions with the SAU, Dr. Altaf Altaf Altaf and other members of the faculty.
Altaf Ali Siyal said that coastal regions of Pakistan, including Sindh and Balutchistan, had ideal climatic conditions for the cultivation of oil palm. However, to further extend the scope, the SAPs research in collaboration with Malaysia and other international partners to develop varieties of oil palm adapted to arid regions.
“The university is actively engaged in research in the experimental farms of Latif and in Kathore, near Karachi, in collaboration with various organizations to assess the commercial feasibility of the oil palm,” he said.
Experts have agreed that a strong cooperation with Indonesia, the world’s leading producer of palm oil, could help Pakistan adopt modern agronomic practices and improve the production of national edible oil.
Speaking at the meeting, the economic affairs consul, Dr. Ahmad Syofyan, reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to support the Pakistan oil palm sector thanks to research partnerships, scholarships, exchange programs and technical assistance.
