ECOSF facilitated the meeting between Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Minerals and Agriculture (ECCIMA) and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) for exploring collaboration in Agriculture

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Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Pakistan hosted a delegation from the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) headed by its President Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi on February 03, 2023. The ECOSF delegation was accompanied by representatives of the Isfahan and Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mineral and Agriculture (ICCIMA), including headed by Mr. Muhammad Sadeghi, Director, Isfahan Agricultural and Water Strategic Research Center ICCIMA as well as  Head of Agriculture Department, National Agriculture and Water Strategic Research, ICCIMA and Director of Economic Research Center, Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Iran.

The delegation was received by Chairman PARC Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali. The purpose of the visit was to explore areas of collaboration between PARC and ECOSF in the field of agriculture and related sciences. Chairman PARC delivered a presentation on strategic role, subsidiaries research centers and its contribution to research and innovation in agricultural sector of Pakistan.  The PARC officials also shared information on their efforts to improve crop yields, reduce post-harvest losses, and address the challenges faced by farmers in Pakistan.

During the meeting, the President of ECOSF expressed his interest in exploring opportunities for collaboration between the two organizations. He emphasized the importance of research and innovation in agriculture for the development of the ECO region and highlighted ECOSF's commitment to supporting agricultural research in its member countries.

The representatives of the ICCIMA also emphasized the importance of research and innovation in agriculture for the development of the ECO region. They also discussed the role of the Chamber in promoting trade and technology transfer between the ECO countries, especially Iran particularly in the agriculture sector. They also discussed the potential for joint research projects, capacity building activities, and technology transfer initiatives in Pakistan and other ECO Member Countries.

Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali and his team welcomed the proposal and expressed their willingness to work with ECOSF and ICCIMA. They discussed the potential for joint research projects, capacity building activities, and technology transfer initiatives that could benefit farmers in Pakistan and other ECO countries.

Following the meeting, the delegation was taken on a tour of PARC's research facilities and was briefed on the PARC's ongoing projects and achievements in the field of agriculture. The tour included visits to the aeroponic potato seed production facility, the speed breeding of wheat facility, and the Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology Laboratory.

At the Aeroponic potato seed production facility, the delegation was briefed on PARC's efforts to improve potato seed production through the use of aeroponic technology. The officials explained how this method of seed production reduces the time required for seed production and improves seed quality, leading to better yields for farmers.

The delegation then visited the genome laboratory, where the delegation was introduced to PARC's research in the field of genomics and its applications in agriculture.

The final stop on the tour was the speed breeding of wheat facility where they were introduced to PARC's efforts to develop high-yielding wheat varieties using speed breeding techniques. Speed breeding can significantly reduce the time required for plant breeding and development, resulting in the faster availability of improved crop varieties for farmers.

The tour provided the ECOSF and ICCIMA delegation with a comprehensive understanding of PARC's research capabilities and efforts to improve agriculture in Pakistan and the ECO region. The delegation left PARC impressed with the organization's cutting-edge research facilities and its commitment to addressing the challenges faced by agricultural community in Pakistan.