ECOSF contributed to the National Dialogued on Agriculture-Biotech for Food Security and Capacity Building of Bio-Safety Regulators, jointly organized by PABIC-FCC and USDA at COMSTECH
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The Pakistan Biotechnology Information Center (PABIC) at Forman Christian College (FCC)- a Chartered University in collaboration with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and supported by International Service for Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Application (ISAAA), organized a National Dialogue on Agriculture-Biotech for Food Security and Capacity Building of Biosafety Regulators on December 11 – 12, 2019 at COMSTECH Headquarter in Islamabad.
The objective of this National Dialogue was to review the status of Agricultural Biotechnology in the country and highlight the constraints in utilizing the emerging technologies in agricultural sector. The national dialogue attracted a large number of distinguished biotech and agricultural experts, scientists, representatives of academia, scientific organizations, media and government officials from across the country. Federal Minister for Science and Technology, H.E. Mr. Fawad Hussain Chaudhary was the Chief Guest in the event. On behalf of ECOSF, its President Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro who is basically an agricultural scientist, participated in the conference and contributed in the discussions.
Prof. Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik, HEC Distinguished Professor and Dean of School of Life Sciences at FCC University in his welcome remarks, highlighted the progress made by Pakistan in the field of agriculturul biotechnology. Prof. Malik emphasized on the need to introduce compliance mechanism for implementation of rules and regulation to remove the bottlenecks in adopting new technologies in agriculture sector.
Prof. Dr. Iqbal Chaudhary, head of International Center for Chemical and Biological (ICCBS) and PABI Karachi, in his remarks said that effective regulatory framework is critical to take advantage of new bio-technologies and increase the agricultural productivity in Pakistan. Globally, agriculture practices are rapidly changing due to innovation and in this backdrop, the government should consider introducing a policy to develop sustainable agriculture sector in the country, he added. He also emphasized on the importance of biotechnology to be under the patronage of Ministry of Science and Technology rather than any other ministry.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology H.E. Mr. Fawad Chaudhary, in his address emphasized on the importance of agriculture and its contribution to economic development of Pakistan. Mr. Chaudhary underscored that agricultural sector needs technological solutions in order to boost the agricultural yields. It is expected that by 2030 the population of Pakistan would reach over 350 Million and we would not be able to feed this much number of people if we do not innovate and bring new technologies to reinvigorate agriculture sector.
Dr. Syed Hussain Abidi Member (S&T) Planning Commission shared that Government of Pakistan aims to increase its GDP to US$ 1.5-1.8 trillion by 2030. Agriculture sector is one of the potential sectors, which can help the country achieve its targets through effective use of biotechnologies and added value services, he said.
At the end of inaugural session, the ISAAA also launched its 54th report. The representative of US Embassy/USDA in Islamabad and ISAAA also spoke during the inaugural in the event.
Subsequently, the delegates shared their experiences and status of various Agri-biotech activities and made presentation and presented posters. Panel discussions were also held on various issues and aspects of the Agro-Biotechnology. The organizers will compile the outcomes of the conference and the recommendations will be taken up with concerned authorities subsequently.