Speakers for developing modern research institutes for agri-sector

ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a seminar here on Tuesday asked for developing modern agriculture research institutes and their linkages with the international organizations at federal and provincial level to promote the agri-sector of the country. The seminar "Panel Discuss on "Agricultural Policy and Food Security in a Decentralized Economy" was organized by Pakistan Institute of Development Economic with an aim to highlight the issues and challenges

They said that Pakistan has made significant improvement in aggregate food supply. Yet, poverty, malnutrition, and hidden hunger are pervasive highlighting the mismanagement in maintaining stability in nutritious food supply and its distribution.

Speaking on the occasion Chief Executive Officer, Pakistan Agriculture Research Board (PARB) Dr Mubarik Alis asked for fast growing new technology besides dynamic institutes to improve the market infrastructure for development of agriculture sector.

He asked for developing efficient plan and avoiding the repetition of research institutes in federal and provincial level. He said that about 90 percent of research budget was being spent on the payment of salaries.

Dr. Mubarak said that only 15 scientists from the country have presented their research papers abroad during last ten years adding that linkages with international organization must be strengthened.

He urged to form an agriculture policy by taking the entire stakeholder on board adding that the provinces should be given full administrative and financial autonomy.

Dr Munir Ahmad emphasised that though the decentralization of agricultural research is more appropriate at the agro ecological zones rather than administrative levels for efficiency gains.

The agricultural research institutions at the federal level cannot be absolved of the responsibility of conducting basic research, coordination, priority setting and policy development for agriculture research in the country.

Research infrastructure under the control of federal government needs to be rationalized, he added.

"We should learn from experience of other countries as well as our own actions already taken in agricultural extension system," he said.

Addressing the seminar Dr. Amir Muhammad Rector, NEUSC stressed the need for taking the entire stakeholder on board and more debate to reach a uniform conclusion before devolution of food and agriculture ministry to the provinces.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011