ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: A mega research and development project, aimed at prioritising research programmes in line with the shifting paradigms from conventional to high value crops, is in the offing.

The Rs3.2 billion project spreading over five years has been approved by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. It has now been sent to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) for its formal approval, official sources told 'Dawn'.

The project is in line with the reforms being made in the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), the autonomous apex body, with the mandate to undertake, assist, promote and coordinate research at the federal and provincial levels to provide science-based solutions for agriculture development.

The main objective of the shift from green revolution to gene revolution is to make agriculture development pro-poor, pro-small farmer, gender sensitive and eco-friendly as well as more efficient, profitable and competitive, Parc Chairman Dr M. E. Tusneem told Dawn.

The new portfolio for national agricultural research system has been built around priority research areas of agricultural research within the mandated research agenda of Parc to provide solutions that meet the needs of the government’s broad-based strategy for agricultural growth given in the Medium-Term Development Framework (MTDF).

In the area of plant sciences, genetic improvement of crops, especially through application of biotechnology and molecular genetics, has been planned. Integrated pest management models would be introduced for cotton-wheat, rice-wheat, and horticulture systems.

Improving water productivity under irrigated and rain-fed production system in addition to soil management for improving productivity and environment will get priority in the area of natural resources.

Genetic improvement and reproduction of animals would be focused in the area of animal sciences, which also include epidemiology, diagnosis and control of emerging and re-emerging infections of animals.

The intricate problems relating to sustainability of agricultural production systems would be addressed through greater focus on integrated management of natural resource base with emphasis on land and water resources.

Livestock and fisheries research would focus on genetic improvement, health and nutrition for increased productivity and profitability.

There is overwhelming evidence that investment in agriculture research yields much higher returns than any other investment in the agriculture sector.

It is noteworthy that during the period between 1991 and 2000, while China and India’s investment in agriculture research increased by more than 80 per cent, in Pakistan it declined by 30 per cent during the same period.

Parc faces acute shortage of scientists as 80 high profile scientists associated with the council have left the country and sought immigration in agriculturally-rich countries like Australia, Canada and the United States.

A rapidly increasing population, particularly of poor and small farmers and increasingly skewed distribution of access to land and resources has created a much more pronounced need to move from resource-based to science-based agriculture.