PARC, Islamabad hosted a seminar on “Agricultural Developments in 21st Century” at their headquarters organized by Centre for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS)

Government representatives, armed forces officers, diplomats and students and individuals from public and private entities across Pakistan have attended the seminar. The seminar analyzed the current agricultural status of Pakistan in detail in comparison to Agriculture developments in 21st Century. Different challenges and issues to the agricultural industry of Pakistan were enlightened to audience.

Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Dr. Yusuf Zafar has broadly highlighted current status of Pakistan’s agricultural industry, challenges along with wide-ranging solutions for the enhancement of agricultural goals. He also explained insufficient government policies for the agricultural industry and urged to pay attention to weaken challenges faced by backbone of economy of Pakistan.

Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais, Former Provincial Agriculture Minister Dr. Irfan Baig , Dean Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan Dr. Yusuf Zafar, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Mr. Malik Zahoor Ahmed, Senior Advisor Ministry of National Food Security and Research (M NFSR. Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI(M), (Retd), President CGSS also delivered a talk on the occasion as guest speakers.

Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI(M), (Retd) – President CGSS in his opening remarks stated that Pakistan’s agriculture is the backbone of its Economy and however, the current challenges have reduced the important contributions of agricultural sector therefore, there is a dire need to address the problems and challenges of agricultural industry to boost the economy of Pakistan.

Chairman Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) Dr. Muhammad Ashraf said that Pakistan has world’s largest irrigational system but facing different challenges. Pakistan is unable to provide satisfactory irrigational water for crops cultivation due to lack of water management.

Former Provincial Agriculture Minister, Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais talked about the modernization of agriculture and said that process of modern mechanization in agricultural industry by introducing modern technology and agricultural machinery can increase growth of Pakistan in agricultural sector.

Dean Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan, Dr. Irfan Baig has further stated that academia can change agriculture sector’s growth, only needs to extend its prospect of basic reforms by increasing role of academia in agriculture industry.

Senior Advisor Ministry of National Food Security and Research (M NFSR), Mr. Malik Zahoor Ahmed communicated about agricultural development and national security. He mentioned that unfortunately, agricultural industry has suffered immensely in Pakistan. About 140 people including the senior members of CGSS Advisory Board, government representatives, armed forces officers, diplomats, and students attended the Seminar.