The gap between public-private partnerships in agricultural research needs to be bridged that will result in increasing per acre production and alleviate poverty. It was discussed at the stakeholder session on public private partnership opportunities in biotechnology arranged by Centre for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security.
The session was chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while MNS Agriculture University Multan Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Asif Ali, Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (CAS-AFS) Chief of Party Professor Dr Bashir Ahmad, University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute Director Professor Dr Richard Trethawan and UK scientist Dr Jacab Lage and other notables also spoke on the occasion.
Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that biotechnology plays a vital role to achieve the target of food security. He said that lack of availability of quality and certified seed, inputs and mechanisation are constraints to increase agricultural productivity. The public and private sector and joint efforts can help the country face the challenges of food security, poverty and low yield of different crops. He said that agri mechanization and drill sowing culture in Pakistan was very low. The measures are needed to convent out agriculture toward the latest trends.
Professor Dr Asif Ali called for conduct client oriented applied research in focus areas to ensure sustainable agriculture and food security. He said per acre production is very low owing to traditional way of farming. He also suggested promotion of public private partnership in the agricultural research. Dr Jacab Lage stressed upon the need to develop the public private partnership which he termed a driving force for the development. Dr Richard Trethawan said that the modern trends in agriculture must be adopted to ensure the food security in which public private partnership will be beneficial.
Dr Bashir Ahmad said hat said that the CAS was meant for building the cohesive scientific community and provide a suitable platform to enable cutting edge agricultural research with the help of five chairs including climate changes; agriculture policies, biotechnology; outreach and precision agriculture. US scientist Dr NancyJ Allen said all possible measures were being taken for ensuring the food security through CAS-AFS in Pakistan. She also suggested more strengthening career centre from where educated and skilled manpower can be interviewed for jobs.
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