ISLAMABAD:The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research has expressed its concern at low investment in research and development in the agriculture sector.

During a visit to the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in Islamabad, members of the committee discussed the current level of research in various spheres of agriculture with scientists of NARC, and observed that Pakistan was allocating only 0.12 per cent of its agricultural GDP on R&D, which was the lowest among the regional countries.

Financial updates since 2013 highlighted a research budget increase to Rs300 million in the fiscal year 2022-23.The committee headed by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan also reviewed research achievements, including advancements in plant genetic resources and the development and release of new varieties and hybrids.

The committee members visited various scientific laboratories and were briefed by Pakistan Agricultural Research Council Chairman Dr Ghulam Mohammad Ali on the research currently being made in various sectors of agriculture.He detailed the functionality of the labs and the processes involved in the preservation and cultivation of different plant types before they are harvested.

Dr Ali also provided insights into the historical evolution of PARC, its establishment as the National Food Security and Research Division and its affiliation with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. Both organisations collaborate on research across various fields to enhance productivity, he said.

Financial briefings included details of the budget over the past three years. For the fiscal year 2023-24, the total budget was Rs6,575.65 million with Rs1,062.25 million allocated for operational expenses and Rs5,512.40 million for establishment costs.

At NARC, experimental farm area of about 1400 acres is being fully utilised to undertake research on more than 120 commodities. At least 98 laboratories are adequately equipped with qualified manpower in every sub-sector of agriculture.

NARC is supporting these activities by providing several important facilities for all the scientists in the country.

In particular, it maintains a national gene bank, computer-based data processing facility, a well-maintained national library of agricultural sciences and information centre, training institute and a centralised facility for instrumentation and repair of laboratory equipment.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2024