Agriculture: PARC approves budget of Rs3.986 billion

Includes Rs2.6b as non-developmental funds

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to promote agricultural research and food security in the country, the Pakistan Agricultural and Research Council’s (Parc) board of governors (BoG) on Wednesday approved a budget of Rs3.986 billion for the financial year 2015-16.

The budget was formally passed at the 39th meeting of Parc’s BoG meeting held here at its headquarters, led by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan.

The budget included Rs2.63 billion allocated for non-development funds whereas Rs1.3 billion have been approved for development projects.

The non-development funds include adoption of basic pay scales and grant of adhoc relief allowance and other allowances to Parc employees.

The BoG also recommended an additional budget of Rs150.6 million for post budgetary increases in pension, rental ceiling and vacant posts.

Bosan said his ministry was continuously facilitating Parc in developing focused projects and expressed hope that the scientists would achieve new technological solutions.

Bosan said it is encouraging to know that Parc has successfully derived and tested a plant and coal-derived method that increased wheat and onion yield up to 20%. Additionally solar desalinisation technology is being progressively adopted in water scarce areas for potable use and improving efficiency in irrigation systems.

Earlier, Parc Chairman Dr Nadeem Amjad said a comprehensive training programme is being launched for scientific staff with support of the Italian government.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2015.

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