Govt. taking steps to convert Thar’s Desert into grasslands: Chairman, PARC

Islamabad: (Parliament Times) The Chairman PARC Dr. Yusuf Zafar (TI) along with Member Animal Sciences Dr. Johar Ali, DG NARC, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali and DG SARC, Karachi Dr. Asim Rehan Kazmi visited the PARC-Arid Zone Research Institute Umerkot on 12.05.2018. Before the visit at PARC-AZRI Umerkot, the dignitaries attended the workshop on “Combating for malnutrition and Desertification in Thar Desert” on 11.05.2018 at Hyderabad, organized under the PSDP-Project ‘Strengthening/Up-gradation of Agriculture and Livestock research System of Arid Zone Research Institute Umerkot-Sindh’ by PARC-AZRI staff. The Federal Government has allocated 529 million for the project. The Chairman PARC chaired the workshop. After the workshop the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony was conducted. Dr. Mujeeb uddin Memon, The Vice Chancellor Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam and The Chairman PARC, Islamabad signed the MoU.
The Vice Chancellor, Sindh Agriculture University said ‘It’s a great pleasure to sign the MoU with PARC and this coordination will improve the research as well as academy activities for both the institute. He further appreciated the research activities of the PARC-AZRI Umerkot that he observed during his visit the institute.
During the visit of PARC-AZRI Umerkot, all the dignitaries visited the field activities thoroughly and appreciated the work carried out by the scientists of the institute. The Director PARC-AZRI Umerkot Dr. Attaullah Khan brief the Chairman PARC, DG NARC, Member Animal Sciences and DG SARC Karachi about the research activities. The Chairman PARC laid down the foundation stone of the boundary wall of the field area of PARC-AZRI Umerkot. The Chairman PARC visited the progress work under PSDP-Project and directed the contractor to speed up the work and must be complete the work with stipulated time. The Chairman PARC, DG NARC and Member Animal Sciences planted trees at PARC-AZRI field. The Chairman PARC headed the meeting with PARC-AZRI staff and listen the issues of the staff members and some of them were approved at the spot and for other he assures to be approve. The Chairman PARC appreciated the all staff members for their hard work and devotion to PARC.
Dr. Johar Ali, Member Animal Sciences, PARC also visited to the Livestock farms at Ghulam Akbar Dars near Kunri. Member ASD visited the Desert area near Umerkot to see the Thari local breeds. He met with local farmers and addresses them to improve the management practices for more yields either of milk or meet. The member ASD agreed to develop some proposals for the marker gene and other aspects for the betterment of the livestock of the local community.