H.E. Dr. Martin Kropff, D.G. CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center; Mexico) called on Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan here in Islamabad today. In the important meeting the Honorable Minister was briefed about CIMMYT’s next five year (2017-2022) and it’s international and regional activities. The Federal Minister was also appraised about CIMMYT’s commitments to R&D in Pakistan and joint efforts to seek donor’s support for agro research and development. Moreover, the team briefed Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan about Agriculture Innovation Program (AIP) launched by CIMMYT in 2015 and funded by USAID and PARC for expansion of modern technologies in Pakistan. The CIMMYT is a nonprofit organization with remarkable/groundbreaking research in cereals (wheat and rice). This body is part of international consortium of the consultative group international on agro research (CGIAR); the government of Pakistan is in process to accede with CGIAR to take benefit of the research in livestock and agriculture. The international organization has trained hundreds of Pakistani scientists, CIMMYT-PK collaboration led to the development of Mexi-Pak wheat variety which revolutionized wheat production in Pakistan. CIMMYT has five offices in Pakistan. Presently CIMMYT is rendering continuous support for wheat productivity enhancement project; it is also supporting maize and millet research institute Sahiwal, to develop heat tolerant maize. D.G. CIMMYT also visited Pakistan in August, 2015. In 2018 country representative apprised the senior officials of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research that CIMMYT may prepare project proposals which may be taken up with potential donors. Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan welcomed the CIMMYT delegation led by D.G. Martin Kropff and appreciated the contributions in Pakistan since green revolution; he said our government is ambitious for the revival of agriculture and breakthrough in agro research, the agriculture in Pakistan needs cooperation of our international partners like CIMMYT especially in technological advancement in the field of agriculture. Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan said that we are currently focusing on production of sufficient food to ensure food security and address the issue of malnutrition. He further said that we see Pakistan to be a partner in coming projects of CIMMYT and if necessary Pakistan will like to make joint efforts to approach donors for financial assistance. Moreover, the dynamic research base could help ward off various crop diseases and other challenges. CIMMYT’s efforts and contributions towards developing high yielding varieties of wheat are highly commendable. Besides, its role for provision of maize germplasm under the project titled “Agriculture Innovation Program” is also remarkable. Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan said we will support CIMMYT for launch of phase-II of AIP for the promotion of innovative technologies in Pakistan. The Federal Minister said that the use of efficient and quality farm machinery and equipment play an important role in the sowing and harvesting of agriculture crops and carrying out pertinent agricultural operations well in time. Promotion of farm mechanization in terms of development of machinery and its demonstration at the farmers’ fields will certainly promote mechanization culture in Pakistan. CIMMYT under AIP started mechanization in key areas of cereal based systems and GOP is very supportive of continuing these efforts at the scale to bring impact at farmer fields. Dr. Martin said that CYMMIT is amazed at the remarkable success of wheat program in Pakistan and we want that our future cooperation in this regard must continue and in face of prevalent threat of Armyworm in India, Pakistan may not only ensure a prompt surveillance system but also bring more disease resistant varieties of wheat and maize. Mr. Hans Braun, Director of CYMMIY’s Global Wheat Program said that we could be cognizant of securing the targeted yield in wheat as the global climate change might pose a great challenge and 1° Celsius drop in temperature during the night time may decrease 7% of wheat yield, hence with combination of intelligent interventions and sensible subsidies, enormous results in food security could be achieved. Federal Minister said that Pakistan through the membership of Consultative Group International on Agriculture Research (CGIAR) could achieve maximum cooperation in research in almost all areas of agriculture. He added that without sound research system intact substantial development could not be achieved and our government is aware of the importance of Research. Mr. Kropff said that they wish that the process of accession to CGIAR could be expedited. And the main focus should not be on import of germplasm but rather on the transfer of technologies in the field of agriculture. Dr Martin further told the honorable Minister that they will cooperate the Ministry to reach out to friendly neighbor countries for assistance in the field of agriculture research and technology. It is worth mentioning that CIMMYT under AIP started Maize program involving both public and private sector partners and we are looking forward to CIMMYT enhanced cooperation in promoting both open pollinated and hybrid maize in the country. Besides Pakistan with CIMMYT support is already screening the wheat lines in Kenya as pre-emptive breeding especially for stem rust Ug99 which is not in Pakistan but in case it hits the country we should have resistant varieties.
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