Pakistan: Ambassador Armellin sees food security minister

(ANSA) - ROMA, 30 OTT - The Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, Marilina Armellin, accompanied by AICS Head Francesco Zatta, met today at the Pakistan Ministry of Agriculture with the Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain.
    The agricultural sector in Pakistan contributes over 20% of the national GDP, generating almost 40% of total employment. However, even though Pakistan is a rice exporter and one of the world's leading milk producers, more than a third of the population is food insecure, mainly due to limited access to economic resources and inadequate diets, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable segments of the population.
    During the meeting, Ambassador Armellin and Minister Tanveer Hussain discussed ways to help realise the full agricultural and human potential of Pakistan, which has reached a population of more than 250 million and has a population growth rate of about 3% per year.
    Ambassador Armellin confirmed Italy's support for improving Pakistan's agricultural supply chains, agreeing with Minister Tanveer Hussain on the importance of training, technology transfer and the central role of the private sector.