Pakistan
July 22, 2011

Pakistan can take advantage of Chinese experience to ensure food security as China is doing by applying different biotech techniques to store more and more food said by the Chairman of (PASA) Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Association.

PASA Chairman said that Pakistan should take advantage of Chinese experience as both countries have the similar land holdings and farming practices, except in research. He appreciated that China doing very well in developing its agriculture sector which can help out Pakistan in increasing its farm output.

Cheema indicated even that Chinese government is willing to set up a state-of-the-art 'Technology Display Centre' in Pakistan, which would be a win-win situation for both countries. He pointed out that non-availability of hi-tech seeds (hybrids and genetically modified); poor quality and high priced irrigation water (high PH and inefficient pumping from grounds); non-existence of food storage and processing facilities; and less mechanizing especially with small farmers are major impediments in development of agricultural sector in the country.

He added that this cooperation should be utilized for genetic material exchange, joint breeding in Pakistan as well as in China, commercial production of hybrid seeds in Pakistan, in order to reduce seed cost and transfer of technologies in seed processing. Chinese help can be sought in installation of electric infrastructure for agricultural farms and production of solar plates in Pakistan and solar pump installation.

Website: http://www.pabic.com.pk

Published: July 22, 2011