KARACHI, May 22: The ministry of agriculture has approved a sum of Rs200 million for the establishment of a grain quality laboratory at the University of Karachi, vice-chancellor Dr Zafar Saeed Saify said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a meeting of the university officials, the vice-chancellor said the amount would cover the cost of lab building, equipment and machinery. Dr Saify observed that the proposed laboratory would evaluate the standard of Pakistani grains.

He said that the grain quality laboratory would serve as a centre of excellence in line with relevant facilities at the Pakistan agriculture research councils in Islamabad and Faisalabad.

He said foreign-qualified experts in the fields of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Agriculture Chemistry at the University of Karachi would participate in the programme.

Technical contribution from the university scientists would certify the quality of the Pakistani grains and boost export, Dr Saify maintained.