ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) said the scientists through intensive agricultural research could boost the economy for self-sufficiency and food security of the country.
Dr Iftikhar Ahmad Chairman, PARC while addressing the scientists on his retirement, said science based agriculture was the need of the hour. The scientists have to see the priorities for enhancing the income of the small framers who were the real people in agricultural sector developments. Senior scientists and experts of the country appreciated the role of Ahmad for developing PARC through better management and promotion in a systematic way.
Dr Iftikhar hold PhD degree in Plant Biology from University College of North Wales, Bangor, United Kingdom. He has served senior positions in PARC for about 28 years in the capacity of Director General, Dy Director General, Chief Scientific Officer and Principal Scientific Officer. The speaker apprised the participants Dr Iftikhar immediately implemented the decisions of President Asif Ali Zardar and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani regarding Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package (AHBP), announced by the Federal Government) to give relieve to the people of Balochistan.
According to them in Khuzdar, Horticulture Research Institute has been established worth Rs 57.870 million and 21 employees including scientific and supporting staff appointed. The project aims to undertake research and development for promotion of horticultural crops using modern technologies, improved irrigation system, to evaluate, propagate improved crop production technology packages and to undertake capacity building program of end users on regular basis by conducting training programmes, seminars, meetings and group discussions.
Dr Abdul Majid, FAO high official Dr Afzal, ex chairman, PRC, Dr Naeem Hashmi, ex Director General, NARC and M Riaz, Director General, Balochistan presented him as hero of the organisation. Dr Ahmad was conferred the Best Scientist of the Year Award in 1999 by PARC in recognition of his excellence expertise in agricultural sciences. He was also honoured with the Pakistan Academy of Sciences Gold Medal 1999 for contribution in agricultural research.
In Bhawani, Lasbella, Balochistan Coastal Agricultural Research Station has been established with a cost of Rs 58.200 million and 23 employees appointed. The projects objectives include undertaking diversified multi-sectoral research in the field of agronomy, horticulture, livestock, fisheries and irrigation system to effectively utilise the local resources; to evaluate promising fruits, vegetables, crops and rangeland plant species for their maximum productivity under the prevailing agro-ecological conditions, to develop cost effective and sustainable productivity packages for important field and horticultural crops, small ruminants, fish farming and special crops, keeping in view the socio-economic and agro-ecological conditions of the region and to undertake capacity building programs of end-users on regular basis by conducting training program, seminars, meetings and group discussions.
The Livestock Research Institute (LRI) at Turbat, Balochistan worth Rs 57.490 million and 37 employees including scientific and supporting staff appointed. The main aim of the project includes generating information and developing technology for disease control, improvement of production performance; and productive efficiency enhancement of different livestock species under optimum feeding and health management regimes, introducing and evaluating promising local and exotic fodder and forage varieties for increasing quality and quantity of livestock feeding supplies and transfer of technologies generated and distribution of prototype, genetically superior selected breeding-male among farmers.
All these projects were implemented under the leadership of outgoing PARC Chairman Dr Iftikhar. In this connection scientists and experts are playing a significant role for the development of agriculture sector in Balochistan and uplift of the people. staff report

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