Islamabad
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) is conducting an exposure visit of the members of National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security & Research (NFSR) to acquaint the committee about on-going R&D activities, new interventions / achievements of the PARC’s research establishment namely Arid Zone Research Centre (AZRC) Umerkot. Mr. Lal Chand Malhi MNA from Umerkot / Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights, Dr. Javed Humayun Sr. Joint Secretary M/o NFSR and Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali Chairman PARC, Dr. Muhammad Younis, DG, PARC-SARC Karachi and other high officials also participants of the visit.
During the visit, the Committee headed by Rao Ajmal Khan, were informed by Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali Chairman PARC along-with Dr. Muhammad Younis, DG, PARC- SARC Karachi about agricultural R&D products by AZRC which included 60-70 lines of Ispaghol, 34 varieties of date palm including 03 varieties imported from Egypt, 04 grafted Ber varieties, Chilies, Guar, 14 varieties of Guava, mustard, castor bean. Models related to kitchen gardening, vertical gardening, solar power drip irrigation system, pitcher irrigation system and saline water purification system were the main focus of the interest. Medicinal plants like cactus (spiny & spine less), Gugral, Aloe Vera, Imli, Jungle julibi, Khavi and moringa cultivated at institute field were also viewed by the visitors.
While briefing about the on-going activities and future prospects of this PARC
established station, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali also told the delegation that PARC station of AZRC Umerkot is working on the restoration of desert areas of Pakistan. To eliminate drought and turning the barren deserts into grasslands, PARC with the international collaborations, replicating successful agriculture and livestock models. Chairman PARC on the occasion also expressed that we will take all possible steps to increase the productivity of agriculture, livestock, fisheries and vegetables to make farmers of the area self-sufficient.
On the occasion, Dr. Attaullah Khan Director PARC- AZRC Umerkot briefed about institute’s current activities i.e. seed bank, Kitchen garden, solar desalination system, drip irrigation system, herbarium block, hydro ponic, agro forestry block at 04 acres, trails and orchard (i.e. date palm, grafted ber, falsa, olive, chiku, lemon), fish pond and biogas plant. The field areas were also visited by the guests.
The Committee members and other guests also visited Asia’s largest Chilli Market located in Kunri where they met the representatives of Chilli Market. They took the notice of their problems particularly about hybrid chilli seed and ensured taking all possible steps to resolve issues related to Chilli seeds. The Chairman of the Committee also directed to DG Plant Protection Department to visit Chilli area and meet the market committee representatives and address Chilli seed import issues.
While appreciating and approving the efforts of researchers and scientists, Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan including other Committee members lauded the efforts of the scientists for successfully introducing the models at AZRC, Umerkot and extended gratitude to Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali Chairman PARC.
