May 04, 2007	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 16, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, May 3: The careers of a majority of scientists at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) have been stagnant over the last 10 to 15 years compelling a number of them to leave the country’s top agricultural research body for greener pastures abroad.

A good number of PhDs, who once were the pride of PARC, are now working as labourers on minimum wages in Canada and the United States, while those who are still working in the council are finding it hard to get promotions.

Many PARC scientists have also switched over to teaching and research activities in foreign universities because of the better payback and a good number of the young scientists are only waiting for such opportunities.

The 27th meeting of the board of governors of PARC, which was held here on Thursday, revolved around the issue of brain drain and the PARC’s inability to keep alive its charm for the scientists.

Sources told Dawn that the meeting was informed that the food security of the nation would remain a dream if the dismal state of affairs continued to plague the premier research body.

Federal minister for food, agriculture and livestock Sikandar Hayat Bosan, who presided over the meeting, was flabbergasted to know that over 100 scientists of PARC had been stuck at their current levels for 15 years. He was told that many of the younger scientists feared meeting the fate of their seniors if they failed to say goodbye to the council.

The sources said the board was informed about the growing resentment amongst the scientists over continuing allegations of breach of rules in promotions and audit-related irregularities. So far, no action has been taken against those allegedly involved in the audit-related irregularities.

“This situation has demoralised our scientists and I also feel very disappointed after hearing all this,” Mr Bosan, who is the president of PARC, was quoted by sources as saying.

The meeting was told that recently the scientists had protested against the PARC management and demanded the government should order an inquiry into the audit-related irregularities and breach of rules in promotions. However, the scientists have yet to get any assurance from the ministries of agriculture and finance in this regard.

The sources said the BoG had been warned by scientists that the government would never be able to realise its vision 2030 and Medium-Term Development Framework (2005-2010) which set out ambitious targets for growth in the agriculture sector unless steps were taken to stop the scientists brain drain.

The meeting was informed that such targets were impossible to achieve in an atmosphere of distrust and lack of confidence and the inability of the government itself to gauge the value of agriculture and agricultural scientists.

Another major reasons which hampered the growth of research activities and prevented scientists from coming up with new varieties of seeds and plants was the unavailability of research funds.

It is estimated that 80 to 90 per cent of the development fund allocated for research activities go to the staff salaries, leaving a fraction for research projects. As a result, the country is unable to keep its research achievement at par with the population growth.

Mr Bosan endorsed the view of the BoG’s members and PARC chairman Dr M. E. Tusneem for resolving the outstanding issues with the help of the ministry of finance.