Demand-oriented: PARC chief stresses need to plant diverse crops

Says science can help farmers increase yield

KARACHI: Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) has called for diversification of agriculture so attention is diverted from traditional crops towards other varieties.

Talking to journalists at a hotel here on Sunday, Dr Nadeem Amjad urged the media to play a constructive role for disseminating results of scientists' research to growers, to not only increase their crop yield but also help enhance earnings of peasants and strengthen the national economy.

The PARC chief pointed out that the country imports soya bean worth around Rs75 billion. Therefore, attention should be paid towards growing crops which have a demand in the local market.

He pointed out that the organisation is working for the promotion of agriculture and livestock. Their offices and research centres help guide growers. Sharing their work, Amjad informed that a virus had recently affected the banana crop in Sindh but due to PARC scientists' efforts, the disease was controlled.

He said in collaboration with Italy, PARC had grown olive saplings on 6,000 acres of land in various areas of the country. The yield has started and the standard is also good, he explained.

In view of the project's success, a five-year plan has been chalked out and olive saplings would be grown on 50,000 acres in various areas at a cost of Rs2.5 billion, he added.

He said PARC has also chalked out a plan to grow suitable crops along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and adjoining areas from Gwadar up to the border with China.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2016.