Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock
Mehdi Eker received the head of Turkey-Saudi Arabia Inter-Parliamentary
Friendship Group Dr. Falez Bin Abdulla AL Şehri and accompanying delegation at
his office.
Minister Eker stated that Turkey and Saudi
Arabia have a great friendship based on common historical and religious
relations.
Minister Eker mentioned about the insufficient
agricultural production in Saudi Arabia due to the adverse climatic conditions
and referred to the issue of food safety.
In the future, Minister Eker declared, the
World will face with three challenges: water, agriculture and energy. He also
mentioned about the importance for the effective use and conservation of
resources.
Mehdi Eker also underlined that the countries
purchase or hire land for the purpose of agricultural production in order not
to have troubles on food in the future.
Turkey is the homeland of wheat, Mr. Eker
added, and embodies thousands of endemic plant species. The third biggest gene
bank was opened in Ankara, and over 100 thousand species are under
conservation.
Minister Eker also stated that Turkey shares its
opportunities with brother countries and referred to the importance of acting
together with Muslim countries for the development of underground and ground
resources not only for the sake of Islamic world but also for other countries.