Islamabad: (Parliament Times) Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) is playing a major role in development of Agricultural Sector through new innovative and modern technology and Agriculture has a critical role in supporting economic growth in Pakistan, more than 67% of the country’s rural population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture.
These views were expressed by Dr. Yusuf Zafar T.I Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad on the occasion of Govt. of Punjab, Management and Professional Development Department participants of 14th PPG (Public Policy & Governance) Course for promotion of officers from BS-18 to BS-19 on their study visit at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC). During meeting with the delegation, Dr. Yusuf said that the prosperity of a large portion of the population revolves around good growth in agriculture which requires timely and adequate use of inputs like certified seeds, balanced use of fertilizers and provision of agricultural credits. He further said in a statement that new varieties of crops help boost agriculture yield. Moreover, the Research Council is starting an awareness campaign for promotion of agriculture sector in which the small farmers, policymakers, stakeholders, researchers and educationists will be taken on board.
While speaking to the visitors from Govt. of Punjab, Dr. Munir Ahmed, Member (NRD) PARC said that we are responsible to aware the farmers about the steps taken towards agriculture prosperity. By using new innovations means, agriculture productivity can be enhanced. He also added that this will definitely help Agri. Scientists, Researchers and policy makers in achieving their agri. research targets simultaneously it will also help for gathering information about the soil fertility of Punjab and PARC and other Research Institutes have reported upto 50% enhanced crop productivity with the using the new innovations developed by PARC / NARC.
The delegation of Govt. of Punjab, Management and Professional Development Department participants of 14th PPG (Public Policy & Governance) Course for promotion of officers from BS-18 to BS-19 took keen interest during their visit to field experimental of Department of Horticultural Research and Development (DHRD), Silage Production Plant for small farmers, Cow and Buffaloes Sheds, National Institute of Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), Plant Genetic Research Institute (PGRI – Gene Bank) and other research areas of National Agricultural Research Centre.
