ISLA MABAD - Federal Minister for Food & Agriculture Nazar M Gondal has said that a US-funded programme under the Strategic Dialogue will be launched very soon that would be implemented by Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of UN. The minister said this while talking to Kevin Gallagher, the newly deputed Country Representative of FAO in Pakistan. I welcome you on taking the charge here in Pakistan. Pakistan and FAOs working partnership spreads over a period of sixty years. We appreciate the role of FAO in reducing hunger and fighting malnutrition all over the world, said the minister. We are really grateful for the assistance given by your organisation in the flood-affected areas in the form of seed, fertilizers, etc. We ourselves have provided our farmers with a comprehensive Rabbi Crop Assistance Package, but your timely help proved to be beneficial for many a families, added the minister. Kevin Gallagher said that the procedural formalities for the eradication of foot & mouth disease were complete and the programme would be kicked off in the near future after the signing of documents between FAO and the ministry. It was decided that the signing ceremony would be arranged within a few days. Secretary Minfa Junaid Iqbal, Additional Secretary Tariq Shafi Chak, DG NAPHIS Malik Zahoor Ahmed and other senior officials of the ministry were also present in the meeting.