ISLAMABAD, Sept 16: Pakistani scientists have to accelerate their efforts for increasing agricultural produce of the country. This was stated by the federal minister for food, agriculture and livestock , Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, while giving awards to the Pakistan Agriculture Research Scientists Association (Parsa) here on Thursday.

Pakistan has to maintain its competitiveness in international markets to meet global standards of food safety and environment-friendly production processes with efficient quality control system.

In this scenario, vital role of research in the development of agriculture needs more attention. The federal minister said agricultural research was essentially required to obtain increased and sustained production to meet the food requirement of growing population as well as to provide raw materials for the agro-based industries in the country.

It is the most effective way to minimize reliance on imports, achieve social equality, remove poverty and improve quality of life. The minister said the four provinces had established a large number of institutes to meet their specific needs of agricultural research.