Islamabad - December 12: By the year 2050, the amount of food required to feed the world population will be double of the current requirements. The conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture are key to ensuring that the world will produce enough food to feed its growing population in the future.
With a growing population and dwindling land and water resources, there is an urgent need to understand the role and status of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Pakistan.
In this connection, a one day seminar was organized at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in Islamabad to highlight the importance of plant genetic resources, new crop variety development and their integration into the seed system.
Participants also learnt about the new national legislations, international agreements relevant to plant genetic resources in addition to variety protection and rights of plant breeders.
Appreciating the contribution of farmers, Ms Mina Dowlatchahi, FAO Representative in Pakistan said: “The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources in Food and Agriculture is important for Pakistan since it aims at establishing a global system to provide farmers, plant breeders and scientists with access to plant genetic materials. Use of plant genetic resources is an integral element of efficient seed certification system and FAO is supporting Federal Seed Certification Department, the public and private sectors to develop capacity and technical expertise.”
This consultative seminar brought together experts, policy makers, private sector representatives, academic researchers and relevant stakeholders to discuss related issues.
Dr Yousaf Zafar, Chairman PARC urged the participants on make full use of the seminar to update themselves with the requirements of national and international law and to identify opportunities available for effective collaboration between the public and private sectors. He also said that the future of sustainable agriculture in Pakistan relies on seed purity and seed genetics.
This seminar was organized with the collaboration of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSC&RD) and Intellectual Property Organization (IPO-Pakistan).