ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): Pakistan is importing hybrids of Rice, Maize, Sunflower and Canola to increase per hectare crop production to meet the emerging demand of food and to tackle future challenges.

This was stated by the Chairman, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Dr. M.E. Tusneem, while presiding over a meeting of Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Board of Directors (BOD) Agricultural Linkage Program (ALP) here on Friday.

He urged the scientists to focus on emerging technologies to ensure food security and bring radical changes in four major sector of agriculture like crop sciences, natural resources, animal sciences and social sciences.

He also asked the experts that project proposal may be developed to achieve production targets. This area needs to be focused for development of hybrids of these crops.

He said that until and unless marketing system is not developed on sound footings farmers can not be able to get due profit of their produce.

Chairman PARC said that International collaboration through IFPRI or with other institutions can be made available to achieve desired results.

The meeting was held to finalize agricultural research priorities for fourth batch of Agricultural Linkage Program (ALP).

The meeting of the technical division which include crop sciences, natural resources, animal sciences and social sciences presented recommendations and priority formulated in consultation with experts for consideration in the current meeting.

In order to meet the future challenges research strategy would focus on green revolution to gene revolution, staying ahead with emerging technologies (biotech, bio-fuel), stress on natural resources, climate change, impact and high input-output technology hybrids, said Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed, Member, Crop Sciences Division.

Member, Animal Sciences Division (ASD) Dr. Shahana Urooj Kazmi, highlighted priority research areas which include, improving feed resources and technologies, animal reproduction, livestock product technology, fisheries and aquaculture.

It was apprised to the members of the TAC that technical review of findings of Agricultural Linkage Program completed projects will be discussed in the next TAC meeting.

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