Bio-technology has emerged as a strategic industry of the 21st century which can increase agro-productivity, according to Punjab Minister for Agriculture Malik Ahmad Ali.
Its use in research and development is also very useful as Pakistan needs varied crops which use less water and give more yield to feed the rising population.
Speaking at a seminar on bio-tech research and development and technology upgradation at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday, Ali said sufficient funds have been provided to the Punjab Agriculture Research Board and Ayub Agriculture Research Institute.
He further said that Punjab Seed Council had approved 52 new varieties of crops, while Agriculture Research Board had so far approved a billion rupees for 53 research projects.
In order to increase productivity of crops, the Agriculture Department Punjab had introduced various initiatives like tunnel technology, green tractor scheme and drip irrigation system, he said.
Efforts were being made to cure cotton leaf virus, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2011.
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