Islamabad, August 16, 2021 (PPI-OT):Honourable Federal Minister, Syed Fakhar Imam chaired a meeting with delegation of Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations which was headed by FAO representative in Pakistan Ms. Rebekah Bell. Meeting was also attended by Syed Anwar-ul-Hasan Bukhari, Additional Secretary (P and T), Mr. Rashid Mahmood, Additional Secretary (D/IC) and senior officers of M/o NFS and R.

Minister said that we need to revitalize the agricultural research in Pakistan. He said that Pakistan needs to create public-private partnership to enhance and make viable the agricultural research in the public sector. He said that it is pertinent to link the industry needs with the core of agricultural research in the public sector. Federal Minister emphasized that only “Innovative Agricultural Financing Models” can lead Pakistan’s agriculture into the future. Fakhar urged FAO to bring agriculture research experts into Pakistan from USA, Japan, China, Australia and Brazil.

He said that we need to transform the quality of the human resource in our national research centres so that overall agriculture sector can be led to prosperity. Fakhar stated that the curriculum of agricultural universities in the country needs to be revamped so that word class scientists can be produced locally. Both parties agreed to hold workshops to chalk out a plan to revamp the research sector of the country. Federal Minister also said that we need to better protect intellectual property rights in Pakistan so that foreign companies can come and invest in the country.

In the end of meeting Honourable Federal Minister appreciated the quick response of FAO attending this very important meeting. The meeting ended with the vote of thanks from Honourable Federal Minister for NFS and R Islamabad.

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