ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for National Food Security and Research Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik has asked the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) to help farmers gain from its extensive scientific research, as they play a pivotal role in the development of agriculture.

Presiding over the PARC board of governors (BOG) meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, Dr Kausar directed the PARC to form a committee for the permanent recruitment of scientific staff. Besides, he stressed the need for devising a plan in accordance with the rules and regulations for the people in scientific domain so they are offered opportunities in their own homeland instead of serving abroad.

Dr Kausar mentioned that the performances of the scientific staff in agriculture are exemplary and constant liaison should be maintained with all the provinces in terms of their experiences in the agriculture sector so that they can be provided with more support from research in the agriculture sector.

The minister suggested that the board meetings of PARC should be held in all the provinces so the experiences of the agricultural experts of the provinces are utilized.

Moreover, the meetings should take place without delay, and the resources and effective measures should be used to deliver the results of the meeting to the people, he added.

The caretaker minister stressed the need for active participation from all board members, particularly those from the provinces, in providing suggestions to strengthen agricultural research in the country. He further highlighted PARC’s significant contributions to advancing the agricultural sector and suggested that all provinces should benefit from the research conducted at PARC.

In the meeting, the PARC Chairman, Dr Ghulam Mohammad Ali, introduced newly launched high-tech research initiatives aimed at enhancing the agricultural sector of the country.

The BOG also approved the PARC budget for the fiscal year 2023–24.

PARC chairman briefed the board on recent administrative and financial achievements and highlighted the organisation’s significant contributions in research, acknowledging its pivotal role in tackling challenges to the country’s agricultural sector.

He attributed these achievements to the diligent efforts of scientists and researchers, noting substantial progress in enhancing crop productivity, cultivating climate-resilient varieties, advocating sustainable farming practices, and safeguarding food security.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2023