ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has assisted in developing more than 264 improved varieties of various crops that resulted in enhancing the over all crop production with improved quality.
"The PARC assisted in developing these improved varieties in crops like wheat, rice, pulses, maize, sorghum, millet fodder, cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds and horticulture," Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Israr Ullah Khan Zehri was informed here at oath taking ceremony of office bearers of PARC Scientists Association.
The federal minister was also informed about the Hybrid technology which has played miracle role in yield increase throughout the world.
He was also informed that PARC took initiative and developed 5 hybrids varieties in cotton and one each in canola, maize and tomato while the council has also established a state-of-the-art Plant Genetic Resources facility and grain quality laboratory.
The other performances of the council including development of technology for off-season vegetable production under economical plastic stature, indigenous tea production, honeybees' research, farm mechanization technologies and more than 100 off-the-shelf available technologies for immediate transfer to farmers.
Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, the federal minister said that the government was set to develop agriculture sector on priority basis saying that it has taken initiative to introduce low-cost agriculture technology to facilitate the farming community.
The federal minister said that steps were also taken for promoting gene technology and introducing hybrid seeds for enhanced crop yield adding that the government would also ensure protection of pastures and water-lands.
He said that efforts are on way to tend animals producing maximum meat and milk by utilizing modern technologies of nourishment.
The federal minister urged upon the scientists to utilize their potential for the benefit of far-flung and back ward areas besides making the agriculture institutions of the country powerful.
He said that the government was looking forward to the scientists of the PARC who have excelled in research activities in past.
Israr Ullah assured the PARC administration that his ministry would approach the finance minister to provide required funds to the council adding that up gradations and promotions would also be made in the council soon.
He however stressed the need for following the merit to help this towering agriculture institution flourish and work for the benefit of the farmer community.
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