Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research (NFS&R) Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan said Wednesday that government was committed to bring the people out from the food-related challenges and ensure food security in the country.
Chairing Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Board of Governors (BoG) meeting here, the federal minister lauded the council for playing a leading role for the development of agriculture sector.
“Government is committed to bring out the nation from the current food-related challenges,” the minister said adding PARC has recently focused on the vision of present government for addressing challenges to the agriculture sector.
Bosan expressed the hope that the BOG meeting will provide opportunity to its members to know about the in-depth research that is being carried out by PARC.
The minister said it was very encouraging that Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R) and PARC have realized their responsibilities to play advisory role in the implementation of Prime Minister’s `Youth Business Loan Scheme’ and identified 32 Business Enterprises, and providing technical assistance.
Minister said that PARC has arranged various events to celebrate 100th birthday of renowned international agricultural scientists, Dr. Norman Borlaug for bringing Green Revolution in Pakistan. The events would be held from April 22-26, 2014. He lauded PARC for starting scaling up activities and contributing in indigenous hybrid seed development to meet farmers requirements; development of certified nurseries for fruit plants; promotion of under-utilized crops such as sesame, soybean and guar.
He also appreciated the initiatives for development and commercialization of environmentally safe chemicals and bio-control agents, establishment of new olive plantation in suitable areas, commercialisation of `Bio-fertilizer’ for legumes and cereals and its development for cotton and sugarcane community-based Range Management Interventions for improving livestock productivity and farmers’ income.
On the occasion, the members of the BoG were informed that global cooperation in agricultural research and development with national and international partners was the main aim of PARC for poverty alleviation and food security.
