Federal Minister for Science and Technology Mir Changez Khan Jamali on Monday said that food industry was the second largest industry and its growth was crucial for a high DGP ratio in the country. He was speaking at the 23rd Food Conference jointly organised by Pakistan Society of Food Scientists and Technologists and Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) at PCSIR Lab Complex on Monday. He said it was the need of the hour to strengthen liaison between the researchers and industries so that a quality product could be produced as per the standard of international market. He said that his ministry had undertaken scores of projects to uplift the quality of food which was necessary for a healthy generation. He was of his view that the growth of food industry would not only upgrade the GDP ratio but would also be helpful in poverty alleviation in the country. The minister said that food industry in the country had great potential and there was need to create a linkage among the concerned institutions including researchers. He urged the researchers to visit the flood-hit areas in Balochsitan and make research about the food crepes from sowing to market.Mir Changez Khan Jamali urged the media to highlight the research work of scientists so that a positive message could be conveyed to the society instead of the oft splashing breaking news. He said that media could play a role in developing positive values in the country. He said that there was a good time coming and we should be optimistic about the future. On the occasion, the Minister announced to regularise all the contractual and daily wages employees of the PCSIR and said that their monetary affairs would also be settled down in the current month.
