President urges research in genetic diversity for agriculture sector

Aim is to produce disease resistant, high yielding crops.

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday called upon scientists to conduct research on genetic diversity on the country’s major crops of wheat, rice and cotton so as to produce disease resistant and high-yield varieties.

“Time has come that we move from green revolution to gene revolution,” he said, while chairing a presentation on overall review of agricultural research activities with emphasis on cotton and wheat given by Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (Parc) here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Zardari urged the federal and provincial research institutions and universities to work together for developing and introducing latest technologies in agriculture and farming sector to enhance crop production to meet the growing challenge of food insecurity in the country.

Scientists and researchers in Pakistan should focus on devising strategies to increase wheat and cotton yield in a situation where the country is facing growing challenges of increased population, reduced water availability and deteriorating soil health, he added.

Zardari said that research is a basic pillar of agriculture development and urged for according priority to the development of high-yield and disease resistant hybrid cotton, wheat, and rice to cope with the surging food demand with the increasing population of the country.

He advised the agricultural ministry and Parc to follow the concept of modernised farming and develop plans for helping the small and fragile farmers and reiterated commitment of the present government to improve the livelihood of small farmers and rural population.

The president also appreciated Parc for its contribution in cotton research and development of latest technologies and expressed the hope that collaboration with China will continue for improvement of agriculture in general and wheat and cotton in particular.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th,  2011.