Pakistani scientists have urged the government to modernise agriculture for food security of the country and poverty alleviation because everyday 40,000 children die in the world from malnutrition and infections.
This demand came at a press conference by Professor Dr M Iqbal Choudhary, Director International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi (UoK), and Pakistan Biotechnology Information Center (PABIC); Sardar Atif Sultan, Chief Executive Officer Cantonment Board Malir; Professor Dr Ghulam Sarwar Markhand, Director Date Palm Research Institute (DPRI) Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur and Professor Dr Abdul Razak Mahar, Chairman, Department of Botany Shah Abdul Latif University.
The objective of the press conference, organised by Pabic, was to raise awareness about the tremendous potential of biotechnology commercialisation for the sustainable development of the economy of Pakistan. On the occasion ISAAA Brief 51 was also lunched by Sardar Atif Sultan.
They were of the views that as compared to the agricultural countries of the world, per hectare yields in Pakistan remained at the lowest. Pakistan had low per acre yield due to traditional methods of cultivation and harvesting. The country might face severe famine as irrigation lands were being reduced due to shortage of water. Although the agriculture sector played an essential role in Pakistan's economy, the political governments had failed to strengthen this very important sector. Biotechnology could bring food security as the technology had great potential to revolutionise the agriculture sector in the country."
Dr Iqbal Choudhary said that Pakistan was rich in fertile land but unfortunately this was being wasted. "The country is heading towards drastic famine as irrigation lands are being reduced due to shortage of water. He said that for the growing population it is important to introduce modern technologies for commercial farming, and modernise agriculture to achieve food security in Pakistan," he said.
Provision of high quality seeds to farmers is the need of the hour for better yields, he said, adding that the promotion of commercial farming at the government level could increase the overall crops' productivity in the country. Dr Choudhary said that the agriculture sector remained a vital part of Pakistan's financial system, as it employed about 43% cent of the labour force.
He further said that Pakistan's agriculture sector needed proper attention of the authorities concerned, as it had a fundamental role in ensuring food safety, generating overall financial growth, dropping poverty and the transforming towards industrialisation.
Sardar Atif Sultan said that this was mind-blowing fact that over 40,000 children died in the world everyday from hunger. He stressed the need to promote biotechnology in the country instead of declaring it social taboo, saying the proper use of this modern technology could prevent the country from any possible drought. Professor Dr Ghulam Sarwar Markhand highlighted the past, present and future of Agro-Biotechnology in Pakistan. He said that the surplus production of food was need of the hour to bring the country on the path of the progress.
Comments
Comments are closed.