Minister underlines need to strengthen and expand scope of agricultural research and innovation system

Islamabad, August 07, 2014 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister for Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFSR) Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan underlined the need to strengthen and expand the scope of agricultural research and innovation system for increasing farm productivity and attaining self-sufficiency in food production.

The Federal Minister also said that agriculture sector played a vital role in the development of country’s economy adding that MNFSR in consultation with provinces and stakeholders’ concerned was formulating policies and roadmaps to make agriculture a profitable profession besides improving its infrastructure.

The Federal Minster was presiding over the 37th meeting of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Board of Governors (BoG) here in Islamabad which was attended, besides members of PARC Board of Governors, by Seerat Asghar Secretary MNFSR, Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Chairman PARC and other high officials of the ministry.

The Federal Minister underscored the need to mechanize agriculture sector in the country by employing the use of advanced agricultural technology. He also laid stress on devising an efficient mechanism for transferring new agriculture technology to farmers and growers across the board to boost up growth and yield of crops.

The Minister also said that a robust media campaign should be launched simultaneously to highlight initiatives and work done by PARC and to increase awareness amongst farmers about modern agricultural developments.

The minister further said that extended collaboration between PARC and provincial research institutions would aid in achieving integrated development of agriculture, livestock, fisheries, horticulture and forestry. The minister commended PARC, which, as an apex agriculture research body, was playing a leading role in the development of agriculture sector in Pakistan.

Mr. Bosan also praised PARC in developing small scale Hot Water Treatment Plants to ensure quality and disease free exports of mangoes. PARC recently also manufactured a silage making machine for use at small farms. The machine can preserve fodder for a long time which could be utilized during fodder scarcity time.

The minister appreciated PARC for reviewing and revisiting the functions of many of its institutes and departments and broadening their scope of activities. The minister also appreciated the efforts of PARC in producing certified and quality seeds for sustained agricultural growth.

Last year, PARC produced and distributed 70 tones quality seed of wheat (NARC 2009 and 2011), 23 tonnes of canola (PARC Canola Hybrid), 21 tonnes of oat (NARC oat) and 4 tonnes of lentil (Markaz-09). The minister expressed hope that this year these figures would go up and farmers would get quality seed at reasonable price.

Earlier, Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Chairman PARC briefed the participants of the meeting about the progress of PARC made during the year 2013-14, about in-house research and new innovations, about on-going and newly approved projects, Agriculture Linkages Program (ALP) funded projects, MoUs signed with national and international partners and coordinated research projects funded by USDA, USAID, ICARDA and other international donors.

The Board also approved Rs. 2415.0 million as non-development budget for PARC for financial year 2014-15 with grant of 10 % adhoc relief allowance, Rs. 930.165 million as development budget for seven on-going and eight new projects, Rs. 95.164 million for MoU projects, Rs. 157.547 million for ALP projects and Rs. 108.860 million as supplementary grant.

Dr. Amir Muhammad Founding Chairman PARC, Mr. Abdul Majeed Nizamani from Sindh, Mir Jaffar Khan Jamali from Balochistan and other members of the Board suggested various proposals for implementation by PARC for the uplift of agriculture in the country. The Federal Minister expressed hope that valuable inputs and recommendations by members of the Board would further assist PARC in streamlining its efforts in the development of agriculture sector.

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