forwarded to PM for approval, National
Biotechnology Policy on cards, minister
The draft of Seeds Act has been vetted by Law Division and forwarded
to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the approval, Federal Minister
for National Food Security and Research (MNF&R), Sikandar Hayat Khan
Bosan said here Friday.
The act would provide for regulating the quality of seeds for sale,
import and export and to facilitate production and supply of quality
seeds and for matters connected therewith.
Bosan said, in addition to this policy, the MNF&R was taking necessary
steps for formulation of National Biotechnology Policy and also
working on preparation of various guidelines and regularity measures
to enhance agriculture productivity and protection in the country.
The Federal Minister was speaking at a two day 'National Dialogue on
Biotechnology and Bio-Safety for Food and Feed Security in Pakistan
and Capacity Building Workshop for Representatives of Institutional
Bio-Safety Committees (IBCs) and Media Practitioners' here in Pakistan
Academy of Sciences, Islamabad.
The event was jointly organized by Pakistan Agricultural Research
Council (PARC), Pakistan Biotechnology Information Centre (PABIC),
Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) Lahore, Crop Life
Pakistan, Pakistan Academy of Sciences and United Sates Departments of
Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Services US Embassy, Islamabad.
The minister said the increased food and fiber production, a cleaner
environment and renewable energy resources were the major challenges
in the 21st century adding that Pakistan being developing country was
also facing multi-faceted challenges including food security, rapid
urbanization and climate change.
He said government has taken bold steps towards adoption of modern
biotechnology and stared to established biotechnology centers across
the country including in Karachi, Faisalabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta
and Islamabad.
He said that these institutions acknowledge the role of biotechnology
as a potential tool for the growth and socio-economic development.
He, however, was of the view that despite diverse and widespread
beneficial application of biotechnology products, there remains a
critical need to present these benefits to the general public in a
real and understandable way.
He was of the view that agricultural biotechnology has the potential
to enhance the food production by 5-6 percent.
Unlike many other countries, Pakistan is very much fortune in terms of
public acceptance of genetically modified crops, he said adding water
saving and high yielding per unit land crops will ensure the food
security of country.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of National Food
Security and Research, Seerat Asghar, highlighted various agricultural
policies, guidelines and the issue of bio-safety laws and the role of
various Ministries for its formulation.
On the occasion, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council
(PARC), Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad highlighted dimensions of food security,
status of Pakistan agriculture, challenges of agricultural development
and biotechnology in Pakistan.
He said biotechnology was a tool available to improve food security
problem and reducing poverty.
The application of biotechnology by Pakistani farmers would not only
result in enhancing productivity but would also help in addressing
food security challenges faced by the country.
Speaking on the occasion, an eminent scientist and Director, Research,
Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) F. C. College (A Chartered
University) Lahore, Prof. Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik expressed his view
that without regulatory measures we can not move forward.
On this occasion Clay Hamilton, Agriculture Counselor, US Embassy,
Islamabad, Dr. Anwar Nasim, Patron, Pakistan Biotechnology
Information Centre (PABIC), Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Chaudhary, Director
(PABIC) and Dr. Sammer Yousaf, Coordinator (PABIC), Malik Zahoor
Ahmad, DG (NAPHIS) MNFS&R and other eminent scientists also addressed
the participants and shared their knowledge and experience.
Biotechnology Policy on cards, minister
The draft of Seeds Act has been vetted by Law Division and forwarded
to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the approval, Federal Minister
for National Food Security and Research (MNF&R), Sikandar Hayat Khan
Bosan said here Friday.
The act would provide for regulating the quality of seeds for sale,
import and export and to facilitate production and supply of quality
seeds and for matters connected therewith.
Bosan said, in addition to this policy, the MNF&R was taking necessary
steps for formulation of National Biotechnology Policy and also
working on preparation of various guidelines and regularity measures
to enhance agriculture productivity and protection in the country.
The Federal Minister was speaking at a two day 'National Dialogue on
Biotechnology and Bio-Safety for Food and Feed Security in Pakistan
and Capacity Building Workshop for Representatives of Institutional
Bio-Safety Committees (IBCs) and Media Practitioners' here in Pakistan
Academy of Sciences, Islamabad.
The event was jointly organized by Pakistan Agricultural Research
Council (PARC), Pakistan Biotechnology Information Centre (PABIC),
Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) Lahore, Crop Life
Pakistan, Pakistan Academy of Sciences and United Sates Departments of
Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Services US Embassy, Islamabad.
The minister said the increased food and fiber production, a cleaner
environment and renewable energy resources were the major challenges
in the 21st century adding that Pakistan being developing country was
also facing multi-faceted challenges including food security, rapid
urbanization and climate change.
He said government has taken bold steps towards adoption of modern
biotechnology and stared to established biotechnology centers across
the country including in Karachi, Faisalabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta
and Islamabad.
He said that these institutions acknowledge the role of biotechnology
as a potential tool for the growth and socio-economic development.
He, however, was of the view that despite diverse and widespread
beneficial application of biotechnology products, there remains a
critical need to present these benefits to the general public in a
real and understandable way.
He was of the view that agricultural biotechnology has the potential
to enhance the food production by 5-6 percent.
Unlike many other countries, Pakistan is very much fortune in terms of
public acceptance of genetically modified crops, he said adding water
saving and high yielding per unit land crops will ensure the food
security of country.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of National Food
Security and Research, Seerat Asghar, highlighted various agricultural
policies, guidelines and the issue of bio-safety laws and the role of
various Ministries for its formulation.
On the occasion, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council
(PARC), Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad highlighted dimensions of food security,
status of Pakistan agriculture, challenges of agricultural development
and biotechnology in Pakistan.
He said biotechnology was a tool available to improve food security
problem and reducing poverty.
The application of biotechnology by Pakistani farmers would not only
result in enhancing productivity but would also help in addressing
food security challenges faced by the country.
Speaking on the occasion, an eminent scientist and Director, Research,
Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) F. C. College (A Chartered
University) Lahore, Prof. Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik expressed his view
that without regulatory measures we can not move forward.
On this occasion Clay Hamilton, Agriculture Counselor, US Embassy,
Islamabad, Dr. Anwar Nasim, Patron, Pakistan Biotechnology
Information Centre (PABIC), Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Chaudhary, Director
(PABIC) and Dr. Sammer Yousaf, Coordinator (PABIC), Malik Zahoor
Ahmad, DG (NAPHIS) MNFS&R and other eminent scientists also addressed
the participants and shared their knowledge and experience.
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