The Ambassador, of the Republic of Korea Dr. Jong Hwan Song, expressed that Government of Korea would do its best to enhance the development of Pakistan and the friendship relations between the two nations in the spirit of cooperation and goodwill.

He said this while addressing as a chief guest at the workshop “Saemaul Undong (the New Village) Movement” at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi here on Friday.

On the occasion, University’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Director General Mr. Sung Choonki, Director KOICA Mr. Je-Ho Yeon,  Expert on Saemaul Undong Movement Mr. Jeon Hae Hwang, KOICA Coordinator Mohsin Khan, Koica Program Officer Miss Seo GaEul and University faculty members were also present.

Korean Ambassador said  that the Government and people of Pakistan can make another success story by following the Korean model of Saemaul Undong Movement and principles for sustainable economic development.

While talking about Korea he informed that in 1970s, agriculture in Korea contributed 50% to the Korean industry and the per capita income of Korea was nearly 257 US Dollars. On that time visionary late President Mr. Park Chung-Heerealized the situation and started “Saemaul Undong Movement” emphasizing on economic and social reforms as the key priorities of the state. He encouraged the farmers to fight against poverty and hunger and to work for their own welfare. The Ambassador informed that through this  movement, after 43 years Korean per capita income raised to 23, 000 US Dollars and Korea emerged as a strong economy in the world.

Dr. Jong Hwan Song emphasized the former KOICA funded project  “Establishment of Pak-Korea Capacity Building Center at PMAS-AAUR” is directly  linked to “Saemaul Undong Movement” for the uplifting of  farming community of Pakistan and providing them an opportunity to use advance technologies in agriculture, forestry and livestock production. He believes that PMAS-AAUR could play a significant role to disseminate the “Saemaul Undong Movement” in the rural areas of Pakistan. He hoped that this movement would play a fundamental role to develop and revitalize the rural areas, as well as to strength the partnership between both the countries.

The Korean Ambassador further stated that  the good working relationship with PMAS-AAAUR, will set the tone for better cooperation in the future till the success of our joint project. The Embassy of Republic of Korea and KOICA will continue to participate actively with the aim of making PMAS-AAUR and Pakistan more developed and peaceful, he added.

Earlier, PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad welcome the Ambassador, of Korea Dr. Jong Hwan Song & other KOICA officials and gave a detailed briefing on the educational, research and extension programmes of the university and its future plans.

In his address, Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad indicated that KOICA project will greatly contribute to the capacity building initiatives for farming community taken by the PMAS-AAUR through training. He further stated that this will also helpful to Pakistani experts to enhance their skills and competencies in the required disciplines.

He also expressed that a comprehensive strategy has been devised in order to solve the field problems in the agriculture and livestock sectors, which have immense potential for development. The KOICA center will have a positive transformative effect on Pakistan’s economy and will assist in alleviating the poverty, he added. He believes that academic collaboration can make an important contribution to uplift the socio-economic condition of developing countries like Pakistan if it is developed and delivered responsibly and effectively.

The Vice Chancellor informed the participants that University  is currently launching a comprehensive community service program to not only provide the routine conventional extension services but it will also assure to practically involve the university students and researchers for guidance and demonstrations to the farmers. New technological advancements, improved methods and interactive approach will be introduced to enhance the productivity at the farm level, he added.   

He further added that to provide quality vegetable seeds, certified nurseries and management techniques to the farmers, the University is undertaking a massive program of vegetable nursery rising through advanced interventions of controlled atmosphere. This nurseries plant would be available round the year as and when required by the farmers.

University is actively playing its role to bring together various stake holders of the agriculture sector consisting of farmers, agro-based industries, different wings of agricultural department, universities and research institutes under one umbrella to achieve the common goal, a very effective and result oriented approach for the development of agriculture in the country, the Vice Chancellor said.

Korean ambassador, Dr. Jong Hwan Song, KOICA officials and PMAS-AAUR, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad also planted a trees at University campus. University’s Vice Chancellor also presented a shield to the Korean Ambassador and souvenir to KOICA officials.