ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is developing new technologies including remote sensing, laser land-leveling, bio-fertilizers and solar tube-wells for enhancing the efficiency in the sector of farm produce.
The plan is to develop genetic modification expertise for producing high yield/pest resistant crops.
MoST will produce, preserve and process fruits and vegetables that satisfy foodchain requirements of the international market.
" Ministry will establish facilities for producing quality controlled Halal food for Muslim consumers in different parts of the world and will support schemes for modern techniques in poultry, livestock and fish farming", an official told APP.
Chairperson Pakistan Council of Science and Technology (PCST) Dr. Mudasar Asrar said despite contributing 20-25% of the GDP and being the mainstay of our economy, it has not been possible for one reason or the other, to exploit the livestock and agricultural sector to its full potential.
Significantly lower average yields of crops, persistent decrease in the quantity as well as the quality of water available for irrigation, high cost of fertilizers, limited availability of quality certified seeds, weak pest management and large post harvest losses are only some of the factors, limiting the growth of this critical sector, she said.
"Today about 30-35 million people in rural areas are engaged in raising livestock and about a third of their income is generated from selling livestock products".
Still Pakistan is spending a significant amount of foreign exchange on the import of food grains, meat and dairy products, she said.
Pakistan has great potential to export Halal food all over the world provided that there is a strong certification and quality control system within the country to address the issues related to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) under World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations, according to Science and Technology and Innovation (ST & I) Policy 2012.
Dr. Mudasar said special measures are required to address the post harvesting losses of fruits and grains, increasing the storage capacity and improving packing and transportation facilities to enhance the shelf-life and quality of food.
To ensure food security for the country on a sustainable basis, some of the research areas requiring increased attention are the use of genetic engineering for a quantum jump in crop yields, development of crop varieties suitable for arid and semicarid regions, development of quality, diseases free seeds and identification of new sources of resistance against major pests of various crops, she said.
"The use of remote sensing technology for crop surveys, pest surveillance and monitoring of the irrigation system is required to obtain advance warning of any impending crisis".
Development of on-site food processing technologies would help in reducing post harvest losses, she stated.
Dr. Mudasar said research efforts are also required in breeding disease resistant poultry birds and development of vaccines for protection against diseases like avian flu. "To sustain our poultry industry, the farming needs to be done on more scientific basis using modern production/ protection technologies".
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