Pakistan and Bangladesh have discussed expanding cooperation in agriculture, livestock and fisheries as both countries look to improve food security, strengthen climate resilience and develop more sustainable farming systems.
The discussions took place during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Bangladesh’s Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Abdul Awal Mintoo and Minister of State for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the FAO Global Conference for Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems in Rome, where officials and experts from different countries gathered to discuss health, food production and agricultural sustainability.
During the meeting, the two sides explored opportunities for greater technical cooperation across several areas of agriculture and livestock development.
Key areas included livestock disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, feed and fodder systems and climate-smart livestock production. These areas are becoming increasingly important as countries seek to protect animal health while maintaining reliable food supplies.
Livestock disease surveillance can help authorities identify and respond to outbreaks more quickly. Strong monitoring systems can also support the movement of animals and animal products while reducing risks to farmers, consumers and the wider food chain.
The officials also discussed antimicrobial resistance, a growing international concern linked to the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medicines. Cooperation in this area can support better disease prevention and encourage responsible approaches to the use of medicines in livestock production.
Feed and fodder systems were another important part of the discussions. Reliable access to quality animal feed is essential for improving livestock productivity, particularly in regions where farmers face challenges related to changing weather conditions, rising input costs and limited resources.
Climate-smart livestock production was also highlighted as both countries face increasing pressure from climate change. Higher temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, water shortages and extreme weather events can affect animal health, feed availability and agricultural productivity.
The two countries also discussed broader cooperation in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, climate adaptation and the One Health approach.
The One Health approach recognizes the links between human health, animal health and the environment. Applying this approach to agrifood systems can help countries address diseases and food-safety risks while promoting more sustainable agricultural practices.
For Pakistan and Bangladesh, closer agricultural cooperation could provide opportunities to exchange technical knowledge, research findings and practical experience.
Both countries have large agricultural sectors and rely heavily on farming, livestock and fisheries for employment, rural livelihoods and food supplies. Improvements in these sectors can therefore have a direct impact on rural communities and national food security.
Climate adaptation is also becoming an important part of agricultural policy in South Asia. Farmers and livestock producers increasingly need production systems that can withstand changing environmental conditions while maintaining productivity.
Technical collaboration between Pakistan and Bangladesh could include knowledge-sharing on disease monitoring, animal nutrition, livestock management, fisheries development and climate-resilient farming techniques.
The meeting also reflects broader efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in areas that directly affect economic development and food security.
As agricultural challenges become more interconnected, cooperation in disease prevention, food safety, animal health and environmental sustainability could help both countries improve the resilience of their agrifood systems.
The discussions in Rome provide a framework for further engagement between Pakistan and Bangladesh, particularly in areas where technical cooperation and shared agricultural experience can contribute to stronger and more sustainable food systems.
