Speakers have called for ensuring food security by promoting high resistant crops in order to utilise maximum land resources. Addressing stakeholders workshop "Production and marketing aspects of Quinoa in Pakistan" arrange by Department of Crop Physiology, UAF Faculty of Agriculture.
Dean Professor Dr Muhammad Arshad said that Quinoa can be cultivated in drought-affected or salinity-stressed areas. He said that Quinoa is a gluten free food and demand of the gluten free food is increasing worldwide. He said the demand of the quinoa only in United States is sanding at 43 million US dollar. He urged the scientists and other stakeholders to expedite their efforts in order to ensure the food security.
Dr Abdul Wahid said that the agriculture is the backbone of our economy, contributing 21 percent to the Gross Domestic Product. He said that the increase in per acre production was essential to ensure food security. Dr Shahbaz Talib Sahi said that the country has the potential to tap the international market by promotion its cultivation. He said that world key players of the production include Peru, Bolivia, Chilli and Argentina. Dr Shehzad Basra the world production of quinoa is standing at 90 thousands metric tonnes. He said that Pakistan per acre quinoa production is 32 mounds. He also stressed the need for seed management in order to get the maximum potential. Progressive Grower Muhammad Ehsan-ul-Haq said that adoption of modern techniques and practices will pave a way for increasing the agricultural productivity of the country.