ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam has said that the present government has focused on agriculture as 70% of the Country’s population is dependent on agriculture as well as 45% of the employment is related to agriculture.
While addressing the oath-taking ceremony held at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in Islamabad, the minister said that our government has increased the development budget of the Ministry of National Food Security & Research from Rs 1 billion to Rs 30 billion and important steps have been taken to make the country self-sufficient in agricultural commodities.
The minister said that other important measures to improve agriculture include the use of hybrid seed technology, genetic engineering, modern technology, protection of water reservoir, pastures and other agricultural resources, modern breeding of high milk and high meat-producing animals, providing maximum national and international training opportunities to enhance the professionalism of agri scientists.
In addition, ensuring the provision of funds for the improvement to the agricultural research institutes of the country is the top priority of the government.
Fakhar Imam said that the ministry is trying to ensure the provision of pension to PARC employees in SPS scale and that Technical allowance should also be given to the technical cadres along with scientists.
Talking to the participants of the PARSA oath-taking and Scientists Award Distribution Ceremony, the Chairman PARC Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan said that owing to the hard work of these scientists Pakistan is now self-sufficient in its major food items like wheat, rice, sugarcane, maize, etc.
The Chairman PARC also thanked dignitaries for sparing their valuable time for the ceremony.
Dr. Muhammad Azeem assured the worthy Federal Minister and Secretary that scientists are always ready to take any challenge faced by the agricultural sector in Pakistan. He reminded the respectable guests about the current budget deficit of PARC.
The newly elected President of PARSA Azizullah Shah assured that the association will continue its efforts to promote scientific research and disseminate knowledge at the doorstep of farmers.
The PARSA President demanded from the Federal Minister to get the approval of non-official members of PARC from the Cabinet, approval for permanent members of the PARC Executive Committee, and to ensure the provision of PARC funds on regular basis.
The newly elected PARSA executive committee took oath on this occasion.
