ISLAMABAD, May 14: Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, Mexico, have agreed to collaborate in the fields of research and exchange of experiences. A PARC official told Dawn here on Saturday that the Mexican centre, with its Spanish name Centro International de Mejoramiento de Maizy Trigo, had a mandate to improve productivity and sustainability of maize and wheat in developing countries.

He said PARC Chairman Dr Badruddin Soomro, who was currently on a visit to Mexico, met Nobel laureate Dr Norman Borlaug and discussed with him the opportunities for both the organizations to cooperate in research.

Dr Borlaug, who is associated with the Mexican centre, had developed a variety of wheat called “Maxipak” that brought green revolution in the world in terms of production.

The PARC chairman had also met the centre deputy director- general, Dr John Dodds, and discussed with him matters pertaining to formulation of a pragmatic work plan to develop agricultural research and strengthen collaborative efforts in Pakistan.