Scientists urged to boost research on seeds

Food security being ensured for future generations.

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday called upon agricultural scientists to boost research efforts to produce high yield, disease resistant and seeds that will produce water conserving varieties of the country’s major crops, keeping in view the soaring population, reduced water availability and deteriorating soil health.

During a briefing on food and agriculture held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president said these were the challenges that needed to be overcome to ensure security of future generations.

The briefing was in line with the president’s vision to achieve food security, improve the lot of the farmers, increase export earnings and to address the issues of stakeholders.

The president emphasised genetic revolution through research work on genetic diversity of the country’s major crops, including wheat, rice and cotton so as to produce disease resistant and high yielding variety of these crops.

The meeting reviewed the progress made so far and briefed the president about the activities being undertaken in this regard.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2011.