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Pakistan verterinary medical council launch new website
Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council launched website for complete information about veterinary profession rules, regulation.

Restructuring plan drafted: Agri Bank to be converted into public limited
The government has approved the conversion of Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) into a public limited company under the Companies Ordinance 1984 with Rs 10 billion equity, well-placed sources in the Finance Ministry told Business Recorder.

WB praises IT initiatives
A new World Bank report has praised reforms in the information technology sector introduced by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Among these, is the ministry's ICT (Internet Connectivity) initiative, which, the report says, "has touched the university sector in important ways."

Pakistan Kissan Movement raps Altaf Saleem's statement
Pakistan Kissan Movement (PKM) has strongly criticised the statement of Federal Minister for Privatisation Altaf Saleem in which he has said that he would watch the interests of consumers and not the sugar industry and growers.

Gulf businessmen keen to invest in agri sector
Middle East investors expressed keen interest in agriculture sector and animal products particularly in Halal meat.

Punjab to initiate 'Agriculture Vision 2015'
With a view to promoting the agriculture sector, Punjab Agriculture Department has chalked out a special plan named "Agriculture Vision 2015".

Rs 35.07 million irrigation project launched in Mirpur
At least Rs. 3507 million irrigation uplift project has been launched in the lush-green Khari area adjacent to Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, for bringing about the green revolution in the district, official sources said.

Rice export declines by 26.47 percent
The depleting stocks of rice in the country have marred the exports of rice as in first two months (July-August 2002) of fiscal 2002-03, it declined by 26.47 percent.

Export Promotion Bureau holds successful mango promotion events in UK
With a view to introducing Pakistani mangoes to upper segment of market in United Kingdom, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) arranged mango promotion in Harrods, in 2001, which was quite successful, according to a press release on Wednesday.

EU to give 1.4 billion euros for livestock project
The government has decided to launch a 10-year project with the co-operation of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to enhance the production of meat and milk, and protect the country's livestock from various diseases.

Extensive pest scouting being carried out in Punjab
The overall condition of the current cotton crop sown over an area of 5.3 million acre in the Punjab is "OK" as extensive pest scouting survey is being carried out on war-footing in entire cotton growing regions for bumper crop.

Agriculture strategy to provide more benefits to farmers
The government has evolved an agriculture strategy attaching priority on solution of water shortage by construction of small dams and introducing drip and sprinkler irrigation system.

Chicken are able to self-select feeds to achieve a balance diet
Chickens that are given the opportunity to simultaneously consume two or more feeds that differ significantly in protein content will tend to consume a mix of feeds that is close to the optimum protein content for their stage of growth.

Seminar on implications of WTO
A seminar on "World Trade Organisation (WTO) and its implications" will be held in Karachi on August 31. The seminar, organised by National Forum, will particularly deal with its harmful effects on the country's pharmaceutical industry.

Footwear to get full protection under WTO laws: Commerce Minister
Footwear Industry of Pakistan will be provided full protection against under-invoicing, dumping and provision of subsidies under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Laws. These laws provide seeking relief for the domestic industry under counter-veiling, anti-dumping, and safeguard laws.

Nestle Milkpak earns Rs 393.068 million profit
Nestle Milkpak Ltd. earned an after tax profit of Rs 393.068 million during the half year ended on June 30, 2002. This figure is Rs 171.726 million up from Rs 221.342 million of the same period in the last year.

AEPZ to boost Pakistani agri-products exports
The establishment of Agriculture Export Processing Zone (AEPZ) inKarachi will increase export of agri-products to as high as US$600 million, said Sindh Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

Promotion campaigns for EU agricultural products
The European Commission has approved last week programmes to provide information
on and promote agricultural products within the European Union (EU).

Protesters' demand to stop meat exports rejected
The government has turned down the demands of Al-Quresh Meat Association against government policy of encouraging meat export, and Food Minister Khair Mohammad Junejo said that exporters would be extended all possible help to boost meat export.

ECO Ministers and delegates visit NARC
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) has the potential to play an important role in the development of agriculture sectors of ECO countries. This was stated by Chairman PARC, Dr. Badaruddin Soormo while briefing the agriculture ministers from ECO countries who visited the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC).

Integrated fish farming being mulled
The Directorate of Livestock's and Fisheries weighing a proposal to introduce integrated fish farming to minimise recurring expenses on the development of fish farming in the province.

Punjab to spend Rs 1.60 billion to improve irrigation system
With a view to improving irrigation system in Punjab Rs 1.60 billion will be spent for the completion of different developmental projects during the current financial year.

President okays revival of Rs 25 billion drainage plan
President Pervez Musharraf has approved the revival of stalled multi-donor assisted National Drainage Programme with a revised cost of $ 429.12 million (Rs 25.5 billion), shelving lesser priority schemes, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Khair Mohammad Junejo told Business Recorder.

400 tractors being smuggled to Afghanistan every month
Smuggling of tractors from Pakistan has abruptly gone up, with about 400 tractors per month being smuggled to Afghanistan through Balochistan.

No subsidy for sugar industry: minister
Federal Minister for Privatisation Altaf M. Saleem has declared that the government will not provide any kind of subsidy to sugar producers, as the high cost of production is the result of their own mismanagement and hectic buying of raw material.

Pakistan Tobacco Company earns Rs 1,341 million gross profit in 1st half
Pakistan Tobacco Company earned a gross profit of Rs 1,341 million for the first half of the year 2002, the PTC spokesman said here on Tuesday. The earning was 25 percent higher compared to the same period last year (SPLY).

Workshop on agri-extension on August 29
The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension, Punjab, and the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, is organising a one-day workshop.

Farm women to be educated about adverse pesticide effects
The FAO, with the support of government experts, is planning to launch a basic functional literacy programme along with Integrated Pest Management programme to create awareness among the farm-women for better crop management leading to reduced usage of pesticides in the country.

FFC to inject Rs 3 billion to improve FFC Jordan's financial footing
The board of directors of Fauji Fertiliser Company (FFC) has approved to inject Rs 3 billion in FFC Jordan Fertiliser Company to improve its financial footing and absorb losses.

Dummy tree plantation criticised
Syed Zahid Hussain Gardezi, President, Mango Growers Association, has criticised the agencies for promoting tree-plantation campaign in the country.

Tarbela, Mangla filled to capacity
Water and Power Development Authority's (WAPDA) water reservoirs at Tarbela and Mangla have been filled to their capacity for the first time in last four-year and water indents from Indus River System Authority (Irsa) for all the provinces are being met decorously, besides generating hydropower more than their installed capacities.

ADBP launches restructuring plan to improve rural sector
The Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) has undertaken a comprehensive restructuring plan aimed at improving the rural sector, including agriculture, through raising farming productivity, streamlining the institutional credit and increasing the income generating capacity of the farming community.

Irrigation Department announces incentive to wheat growers
The provincial irrigation department, in its campaign to increase production of more wheat in the province has allowed the farmers to pump water from Nullahs and drains during the sowing season of Kharif crop.

Indian dam leaking, 12,000 people evacuated
Authorities in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh evacuated around 12,000 people after an irrigation dam started leaking due to heavy monsoon rains, an official said on Sunday.

Central Board of Revenue not empowered to refund sales tax on drugs
The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) is not legally empowered to refund general sales tax (GST) already paid on stocks of medicine by the wholesalers and retailers under Sales Tax Act, 1990.

Chinese top dairy firm to list A shares on Wednesday
China's largest dairy products maker, Shanghai Bright Dairy & Food Co Ltd, said it will list a 954.04 million yuan ($ 115.3 million) domestic A share initial public offering on the Shanghai stock exchange next Wednesday.

Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority's role in agri uplift..
Nazim District Multan Malik Mohammad Aamir Dogar appreciating the efforts being rendered by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) for promotion of agriculture sector has assured to provide space in Multan District Council for setting up Smeda office.

Union of Small & Medium Enterprises lauds move to set up Exim Bank
The Union of Small & Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has said that the establishment of Exim Bank, filling the gap, will provide bridge financing to trade and industry.

Govt. initiative to make Small and Medium Enterprise Development..
The Union of Small & Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has welcomed the government's initiative of making Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) as an autonomous body.

Modern tech to help boost farm output
Fast depleting water resources are a potential threat to the present and future agriculture and scientists must carve out new technologies and methodologies to conserve precious water resources in addition to evolving low water consuming but high yielding crop varieties, said Professor Dr Riaz Hussain Qureshi, Vice-Chancellor University of Agriculture Faisalabad.

Removal of GST from drugs to provide relief to common man
Minister for Health, Dr.Abdul Malik Kasi said on Saturday that removal of GST from medicines will provide a relief to the general masses of the country. The government took a wise decision by withdrawing GST as the health care cost had increased after the imposition of GST on drugs, he said while speaking in a PTV programme.

Rs 300 million paid on stocks: Medicine sellers in a fix over sales tax
The wholesale and retail merchants of medicines are in a fix over the recovery of general sales tax which they have already paid to the manufacturers on their stocks of Rs 300 million.

Thai Union Frozen rises on dividend plans
Shares in Asia's largest canned tuna exporter, Thai Union Frozen Products Plc, climbed on Friday after the firm announced plans to pay its first ever half-year dividend.

Dr. Manzoor posted envoy to WTO Geneva
Dr Manzoor Ahmed, a BS-21 officer of the Secretariat Group, at present, Member (Customs) in the Central Board of Revenue, has been posted as Pakistan's Ambassador to the WTO, Geneva.

European Commission still waits for WTO ruling in US tax break row
The European Commission said on Thursday it was still waiting for a decision by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on how much in sanctions it can impose on the United States in compensation for an export tax break scheme.

Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights seminar on August 31
Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has underlined the need for awareness among masses, drugs producers and legislators to avoid or at least minimise the adverse impact of Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) agreement on local pharmaceutical industry.

Poultry dealers' boycott benefits farmers
The boycott of poultry dealers has greatly benefited poultry farmers as they are now purchasing day-old chick directly from hatcheries at lower prices.

Farmers asked to learn about safe use of pesticides
Punjab Agriculture Minister Khurshid Zaman Qureshi has called upon the farmers' community to learn about safe and efficient use of pesticides so as to minimises their ill effects on the environment.

Interest-free loans for growers demanded
The Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP) has asked the government to provide interest-free loans to the growers in order to promote agriculture sector in the country.

Punjab Provincial Co-operative Bank announces recovery package
The Punjab Provincial Co-operative Bank Limited (PPCBL) has announced an attractive recovery package for defaulting societies, under which the defaulters can get complete waiver in mark-up on lump sum payment of principal amount of loan outstanding from Kharif crop 1977 to Rabi 1984-85, by December 31, 2002.

AEPZ to boost agri-products export
Sindh Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has expressed hope the establishment of Agriculture Export Processing Zone (AEPZ) in Karachi will increase export of agri-products to as high as $600 million. Talking to newsmen here on Thursday, the Minister said on completion, AEPZ would revolutionize country's agriculture. The government will spend Rs190 million on the construction of AEPZ spread over an area of 50 acres.

Pakistani private sector urged to explore meat markets
Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Khair Mohammad Junejo has asked the private sector to endeavour to capture world meat market by improving the quality of their exportable items.

Poultry EXPO-2002-Hyderabad
The 5th Poultry Expo-2002 was conducted on 20-22nd June, 2002 at Hyderabad by M/s NRS Publications, Hyderabad. It was a 3-day National Exhibition on Poultry industry for better business opportunities and also for up-date knowledge. It was organised by Mr. M.A. Nazeer, Publisher, Poultry Fortune for the 5th time at Hyderabad. Nearly 30-35 companies related to Poultry displayed their Products.

All kinds of medicines are being exempted from 15% GST
Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz announced that all kinds of medicines, including veterinary medicines, are being exempted from 15 percent General Sales Tax (GST), with immediate effect, to reduce the cost of healthcare for the common man. However, this will cause a shortfall of Rs 2.5 billion to the tax collection, he said.

Scientists in Pakistan asked to develop poultry sector
Agricultural scientists should focus their attention on the development of the commercial poultry sector to meet the country's dietary requirements and to enhance farmers incomes.

The Educators' launches milk project
A private school network 'The Educators' has launched first school milk programme with the objective of improving health and nutritional status of school children through the inclusion of a regular milk-drinking habit.

Government mulling converting of ADBP into corporation
The government is understood to be considering a proposal to convert the Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) into a Corporation for its efficient operation.

Agriculture export to be increased to $600 million, says Minister
Sindh Minister for Finance, Planning & Development Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has said that completion of Agriculture Export Processing Zone (AEPZ) in Karachi would bring a revolution in the agriculture exports of the country, increasing it to $600 million from existing $100 million besides enhancing the income of growers.

WTO agreements pushing farmers into crisis
The speakers at a seminar on 'safe and efficient use of pesticides', organised by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) here on Thursday, said the complicated World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreements has pushed the illiterate peasants into crises for lack of information and awareness about agreements that needs to be explained clearly to all for standard production according to world requirements.

Fishermen protest against plastic net
A large number of fishermen led by leader of Fishermen Union and Councillor, Khuda Bukhsh staged a protest demonstration in front of District Nazim's office and demanded ban on fishing with plastic net, the other day.

Mango exporters complain of PIA off-loading of consignments
The Mango exporters have complained about frequent off-loading of export consignments destined for UK by the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) at Jinnah Terminal. The latest incident of off loading, which has become a regular practice since over two months, occurred on PIA flight on Wednesday night.

Adviser, ministry at odds on onion support price issue
The President's Adviser on Agriculture and the Food Ministry are at odds on the issue of support price for onion, as the latter has termed any such measure a U-turn in government policy.

Punjab Food Department pays Rs 17 billion to farmers
The Punjab Food Department has paid Rs 17.75 billion to farmers for wheat they procured during the current year.

Thal Canal to usher in new era of progress
The under construction Greater Thal Canal will usher in a new era of progress and prosperity in the backward areas of north-western Punjab, said Wapda Chairman Lieutenant General Zulfiqar Ali Khan (Retd).

Rising POL prices, scanty rain hit paddy crop sowing
Due to the less rains and rising POL prices, the under cultivation area of paddy crops has been reduced to a great extent during this season in both Sialkot and Narowal districts.

Rs 8.9 million allocated for poultry research projects
The government has allocated Rs 8.9 million under the Agriculture Linkage Programme (ALP) for poultry-related research projects.

New post of WTO envoy: minister urged to appoint experienced person
The Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association (PBEA) has urged the Commerce Minister to appoint an experienced person having complete knowledge of textile quotas and rules of origin to the newly created post of Ambassador WTO Affairs in Geneva.

Ban on Pak meat lifted: Saudi decree soon
The Export Promotion Bureau expects that the Saudi government would soon issue a royal decree after which Pakistan will resume export of sheep and goat meat to the Kingdom formally, a press release of the EPB said on Tuesday.

Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority to ban use of vicker baskets..
In an effort to maintain hygienic environment to boost exports of seafood from Karachi Fish Harbour, the Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KFHA) has decided to completely ban the use of vicker baskets from September 15 in the premises of harbour.

PNAC workshop for journalists on August 21
Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) Ministry of Science and Technology is going to arrange a one day training and orientation workshop for the journalists on World Trade Organisation (WTO) and National Quality Infrastructure on August 21 at PNAC headquarter.

Need for learning WTO subjects stressed
A seminar on 'Why is it important to learn about the WTO' was held under the joint management of 'The Traits Centre for WTO Studies' and the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) here.

TRIP seminar on August 31
National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH), in collaboration with Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), and Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), will hold on August 31 a one-day seminar on "WTO-TRIP's Agreement" here.

Immense efforts needed to meet WTO regime challenges:
Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood on Thursday emphasised the need of making immense efforts to meet the growing challenges of WTO regime to protect the interests of the country's agricultural and industrial sectors.

Australia joins WTO sugar action against European Union
Australia would join forces with Brazil in taking World Trade Organisation action against the European Union sugar regime, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said on Friday.

Indian eatery firm embraces WTO norms in global push
MTR Foods Ltd, once an old-world eatery in India's technology capital, said on Friday it was two steps closer to winning new export markets for its instant foods and snacks.

ECO members can face WTO challenges unitedly: Pakistan
Pakistan's senior government official on Saturday said ECO nations could successfully face the WTO challenges if they joined energies together to protect their interests.

Road map for boosting dates exports chalked out
The Chairman of Export Promotion Bureau, Tariq Ikram, in a meeting with growers and exporters of dates on Wednesday, said that diversification in exports would be achieved through promotional efforts in Asian and African countries.

Wheat procurement bodies at union council level suggested
The Multan district government had proposed setting up wheat procurement committees at the union council level comprising Union Council Nazim, peasant representative, Kissan councillor concerned.

Options being mulled to force India for talks on Baglihar project
Pakistan is considering different options to bring India onto the negotiation table to resolve the dispute over 450 megawatt (MW) Baglihar hydro-power project, on River Chenab in occupied Kashmir, sources told Business Recorder.

Sugar purchase in 1983: Sindh settles issue to pay Rs 28.587 million...
Sindh Governor Mohammadmian Soomro has settled the issue pertaining to refund of an amount paid to the Sindh government by the defence ministry for the purchase of sugar in 1983.

Two companies to stop cigarette advertisements from December
Two Pakistani cigarette manufacturing companies have decided to stop advertisements in the electronic media and newspapers, mostly read by under 18 from December.

Farm package to boost up production: Multan agriculture chamber
The Multan Chamber of Agriculture (MCA) has warmly welcomed the farm package announced by President General Musharraf and predicted that the package would boost up per acre production and encourage the farmers.

CBR mum on wrong assessment of duty on PVC imports
The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) is receiving complaints from leading fertiliser manufacturers on the wrong assessment of custom duty by the Collectorates of Customs on the imported consignments of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).

Huge quantity of substandard pesticides nabbed
The Directorate of Plant Protection, Agriculture Extension Sindh has hauled a huge quantity of substandard, adulterated and fake pesticides consisting of 4011 bottles, 4019 bags and 44 drums, through raids with the assistance of local pesticides inspectors during the last two months.

Vast potential exists in shrimp farming
Great potential for investment with higher return exists in the fisheries sector of Pakistan which could be tapped by proper training and planning, said Dr Farshad Shishehchian, Malaysian Aqua Ecologist here on Tuesday.

Musharraf launches monsoon tree plantation campaign
President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday launched Sustainable Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign-2002 by planting a sapling of Pinus Roxburghii (Chir Pine) in the lawns of Chief Executive Secretariat.

Pakistan to seek new markets for dates exports
Pakistan is to seek new markets for its dates exports following loss of market in India due to the present tension.

Trading Corporation sells 100,000 tonnes wheat
The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) said on Tuesday it had sold 100,000 tonnes of milling wheat in a tender at $108.17 per tonne basis FOB Karachi.

Land promised to landless farmers
Provincial Minister for Revenue Malik Mohammad Aslam has said that agriculture is the backbone of national economy and "we cannot make progress" without agrarian economy.

Upward trend in cottonseed, oilcake futures
Rising trend was marked on the forward cottonseed oilcake market amid restricted activity.

Government may raise feed gas prices for fertiliser industry
The government is likely to increase feed gas prices by 5 percent for the fertiliser industry as recommended by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), sources told Business Recorder.

Sindh government cuts wheat price
Sindh government has decided to reduce the official price of wheat from Rs 850 to Rs 827 per 100 kg, along with 'bardana' (jute bag), besides disposing of all surplus stocks of wheat.

Tarbela Dam to reach full capacity by August 24
Tarbela Dam, the largest water reservoir of the country will reach its full capacity on Saturday. According to Indus River System Authority (Irsa), water position will further improve by this week at Tarbela and Mangla dam.

Power tariff readjustment was not a drama: WPDA chief
WAPDA Chairman Zulfiqar Ali Khan has said that readjustment of tariff by the federal government was not a drama, and it would certainly provide relief to domestic consumers.

Plan evolved to improve farm storage, marketing
The government has planned a short-term marketing infrastructure plan to solve marketing and storage problems of the agriculture production.

Khakwani re-elected Kissan Board chief
The General Council of Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP) has re-elected Mohammad Sadiq Khan Khakwani as President of KBP for next four-year term.

Dalda Planta combines three in one for health
Dalda Planta cooking oil, from the 'House of Dalda', has combined best of three vegetable oils to form a single blend of cooking oil that offers the goodness and health benefits of the three in "one", with the additional advantage of the taste of ghee.

12 more deep-sea trawlers issued licences
After having encouraging results from the first phase, the federal government has granted licences to 12 more foreign vessels for deep-sea fishing. Again majority of new entrants belongs to Korea, it was learnt here on Friday.

Karachiites to get high-quality pasteurised milk
Indus Dairy Development Project, Sindh, a joint venture of provincial government and 'Kissan,' a private sector organisation, will become operational by next month and start supply of packed milk to the citizens of Karachi at comparatively low rates in the first phase.

Immense efforts needed to meet WTO regime challenges: Commerce Minister
Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood on Thursday emphasised the need of making immense efforts to meet the growing challenges of WTO regime to protect the interests of the country's agricultural and industrial sectors.

USDA designates disaster areas in four US states
The US Agriculture Department on Tuesday designated parts of Georgia, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Virginia as agriculture disaster areas, making farmers and ranchers immediately eligible for USDA emergency farm loans due to crop losses.

National Fertiliser Corporation seeks government permission for export...
National Fertiliser Corporation (NFC) has sought permission from the government for export of 40,000 tonnes of fertiliser to Afghanistan.

USDA to finalise food label rules amid protests
The Bush administration faces a daunting task as it prepares final regulations due next month for country-of-origin labels on meat, produce and fish sold in American grocery stores.

Mango season about to conclude
The mango season is now reaching its end and most of the popular mango varieties in the market are in the last stages of availability. As a result the mango prices have gone up.

Punjab government, flour millers talks fail on transportation policy
The talks between the officials of Punjab Food Department and flour millers on Thursday failed on transportation policy, which was followed by an increase of Rs 15 per 20 kg bag flour prices forthwith. A 20- kg flour bag will be available now at Rs 195 against Rs 180.

Committee constituted to review matters pertaining to raising of Mangla Dam
Water and Power Development Authority's (Wapda) attention has been drawn to a news item, appeared in a section of the press, wherein it has been attributed to Azad Jammu and Kashmir sources that differences with Wapda existed on certain issues.

Dy. Chairman Planning Commission Meets PARC Scientists
Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Dr. Shahid Amjad Chaudhry visited NARC, Islamabad on June 19 to discuss the prospects of edible oilseed crops in Pakistan.

Presentation on Scientific Information
A presentation was organised for Chairman, PARC on the activities and achievements of the Directorate of Scientific Information (DSI), Agricultural Communication Services (ACS) at NARC on June 24. It was attended by Members (PARC); Director General (NARC), senior scientists, CSO/Director (ACS), Director (SI) and information professionals from DSI. The following presentations were given after a briefing on the activities of the Directorate by CSO/Director (ACS):

Best Paper Award for PARC
Prof. Dr. Mahmood Ahmad Ghazi, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, conferred Best Paper Award on Dr. Muhammad Salim, Principal Scientific Officer/National Coordinator (Rice), PARC during National Seerat Conference held on the auspicious occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) from May 25-26.The Award included a cash prize of Rs.8000/- and a distinction certificate.

Improving Livelihood of Pastoralists in Balochistan
Scientists and experts from Paksitan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu (Nepal) gathered at Arid Zone Research Centre (AZRC) of PARC at Quetta from June 11-12 to explore ways and means for improving the livelihood of pastoralists in Balochistan along with the officials from government of Balochistan including Secretary Agriculture; Director General, Agriculture Research Institute (ARI); Programme Coordinator, UNDP and Chief Conservator, Forests. Dr. Shahid Ahmad, Senior Director (Natural Resources) and Dr. Muhammad Afzal, CSO/Incharge (Animal Sciences Division) represented PARC in the meeting.

PARC scientists
PARC scientists- the recipient of Research Productivity Allowance with Chairman, PARC and Director General , NARC(4th and 5th from L) at NARC, Islamabad.

Cotton Leaf Curl Virus makes break througch in all pest-resistant cotton...
Attack of deadly toxic disease Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCV) in Punjab on pest resistant cotton varieties, evolved at Faisalabad and Central Cotton Research Institute at Multan, had negative impact not only on the credibility's of these varieties but also casting its shadow on the size of current cotton crop.

Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority Ordinance, 2002:
The Following is the text of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) Ordinance, 2002 promulgated by President, General Pervez Musharraf.

Punjab Provincial Co-operative Bank to disburse Rs 181.739 million
The Punjab Provincial Co-operative Bank Limited (PPCBL) will provide loan worth Rs 181.739 million to 11,418 members of 1375 Co-operative Societies under the President of Pakistan relief package.

Thailand to hold talks with Pakistan over rice prices
Thailand, the world's top rice exporter, said on Tuesday it would hold talks with Vietnam, India and Pakistan next month to seek co-operation in controlling prices for the commodity.

Crop pattern at stake for water shortage
The South Punjab agriculture infrastructure and crop pattern are at stake due to critical water shortage as the provincial government has wound up installation of tube-well on subsidised rates following the closure of all irrigation channels in a sacrifice bid for Sindh.

Growers face water scarcity
Growers facilitated by Asia's largest Rohri Canal are facing problems due to shortage of water as a breach was occurred in Rohri Main Canal in Hala Irrigation Sub-Division at RD-844 below Kunb-Daroon Regulator affecting four dehs of the area.

Banks told to give more loans to agriculture sector
The State Bank Governor, Dr Ishrat Hussain, on Tuesday told a two-day meeting of the Federation of Chambers of Agriculture that the commercial banks have been given specific targets for providing more loans to the agriculture sector for the current fiscal year. He also assured of credit facility for the construction of silos and wheat storage at 12 percent interest rate.

Strategy devised for attaining progress in agriculture sector: Federal Minister
Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Khair Mohammad Junejo said on Tuesday that the government has devised a strategy for attaining progress in agriculture sector laying special emphasis on food security, productivity enhancements expansion of marketing and beefing up exports.

Russian poultry trade talks continue: USDA aide
The United States and Russia are continuing high-level talks this week aimed at fixing a trade dispute that has plagued American poultry shipments for most of this year, US Agriculture Undersecretary J.B. Penn said on Wednesday.

Pakistani meat to be available in UAE from next week
Pakistani livestock and meat will be available in the UAE market next week, following the UAE's decision to lift a ban imposed two years ago.

Banana crop under viral attack
Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) has once again attacked banana plants in lower Sindh, damaging its standing crop.

Restoration of original course of Ravi completed
The project to restore the original course of River Ravi, along the Chandian Flood Bund at Narowal has been completed by FWO under the supervision of Punjab Irrigation Department.

Snow Brand Milk ties up with Otsuka in baby food
Japan's largest maker of dairy products, Snow Brand Milk Products Co, said on Wednesday it plans to set up a baby food business with Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Co after a tie-up with Swiss food giant Nestle SA failed to materialise.

Sharp rise in cottonseed, oilcake futures
Sharp upturn was noted on the forward cottonseed oilcake market on Monday amid low business.

Relief against police excesses on lift-pump users from canal sought
Thousands of villagers along DG Khan canal have been facing serious police harassment following registration of criminal case against them on obtaining drinking water from the DG Khan canal, and they demanded of the Punjab government to immediate interfere into the whole affairs and provide them relief.

CBOT rough rice futures end down
Chicago Board of Trade rough rice futures ended lower on Monday after sell stops were hit during good speculative selling, traders said.

ECC imposes Rs 5 per kg central excise duty on raw sugar import
The ECC of the Cabinet on Monday imposed central excise duty at the rate of Rs 5 per kg on raw sugar import and excluded it from DTRE regime to prevent any misuse of this facility, to protect the interests of the farmers and local industry.

World sugar prices to stagnate in 2002-03
World raw sugar prices will continue to stagnate in the coming year, as large sugar supplies combine with poor demand to bring an average price of 6 cents per pound, a US Department of Agriculture analyst predicted on Monday.

Top priority attached to agri sector: Sindh Agri Minister
Sindh Minister for Agriculture Sardar Mohammad Muqeem Khoso said that the present government has attached top priority to the development of Agriculture sector on most modern lines.

Punjab allocates Rs 153 million for production of quality meat, milk
The Punjab government has allocated a sum of Rs 153 million for ensuring the quality production of meat and milk in the province during the current financial year.

Cotton market sees brisk trading
The cotton market on Friday, gained momentum as the textile mills and spinners recorded a modest trading at reasonable rates, dealers said but they did not give any reason for the bullish sentiment. But they have worrying doubts over the continuity in the bullish trend. Prices of yarn both in the domestic and international markets are on the decline, which could discourage brisk activity in the coming days.

Cottonseed, oilcake futures: 500 lots traded
Substantial set back was marked on the forward cottonseed oilcake market on Thursday amid accelerated business.

Rs. 35 million sugarbeet project launched
A pilot project costing Rs. 35 million has been launched for enhancing production of Sugarbeet in the country.Official sources told APP here on Friday that seed of sugarbeet has been imported from Germany for cultivation over 30 plots in Punjab and Sindh provinces each while 10 plots in NWFP areas.

Gulf states allow livestock import from Pakistan
The gulf states have the lifted ban on import of livestock and its products from Pakistan, expressing satisfaction over the adequacy of animal quarantine facilities and procedure.

Cotton sowing area declines by 11.65 percent this year
Cotton crop has been sown over an area of 5332.941 thousand acres as compared to 6036.196 thousand acres of corresponding period last year, showing an overall decrease of 11.65 percent in cotton sown area of the province, this year.

Privatisation Commission gives final call for Expression of Interests to....
The Privatisation Commission has given final call to investors to submit their Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the acquisition of a minimum 75 percent share of Lyallpur Chemical & Fertilisers Limited (LCFL).

Saudi Arabia lifts ban on Pakistani meat
The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have signed an agreement lifting ban on the import of goat and sheep meat and their products into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Plant Genetics Society set up at University of Agriculture Faisalabad
The Society of Plant Breeding and Genetics (SPBG) has been formed in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF). A meeting was held here on Thursday to introduce the Society in addition to explaining its aims and objectives.

Pakistan produces 550,000 tonnes of dates
The country has registered a record date production of more than 550,000 tonnes this season, two thirds of which are available for export, fetching at least $250 million for the nation.

White House to propose new policy on biotech crops
Anticipating an increased risk that the nation's food supply may be contaminated unintentionally, the White House on Friday will propose stricter regulations for biotech companies wanting to market new varieties of genetically modified crops.

Mangla dam expansion okayed
The federal government in consultations with Kashmiri leadership has decided to expand Mangla Dam by forty feet while the President General Pervez Musharraf will announce special package on August 10 for the old and expected new affected people of the, to be followed by an agreement between the AJK government and Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) over the expansion project, sources said on Friday.

ECO, FAO seek funds to achieve food security
Islamabad declaration of the first-ever Economic Co-operation Organisation conference on agriculture called for 'a regional agricultural development and food security strategy' among member countries to combat worsening drought and enhance crops productivity besides, boosting-up export of agri produces.

Chinese technical team to inspect mango plants
A two-member technical delegation from Chinese Quarantine Department arrived here on Thursday to inspect mango plants and resolve issues relating to purchase of Pakistani mangoes.

Musharraf sends mangoes to Vajpayee
President Pervez Musharraf, locked in a tense stand-off with neighbouring India, has sent several boxes of mangoes to Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee as a goodwill gesture.

Sugar Mills Association flays increase in petrol prices
Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has strongly criticised the increase in fuel prices, said a spokesman of the association here on Thursday.

Command and Staff College Quetta team visits Karachi Fish Harbour
A six member delegation of Command and Staff College, Quetta, headed by Captain Azhar, PN, on an inland study tour of coastal areas and Karachi, visited the Karachi Fish Harbour on Wednesday.

Fishery firm's profit rises
Fishery Products International Ltd, Canada's biggest seafood company, said on Tuesday profits rose significantly in the second quarter, crediting better margins and higher sales, but also warning of tougher times to come.

Skimmed milk: Customs asked to finalise case within 15 days
Customs authorities, Karachi, have been asked to complete the case of allegedly "adulterated and sub-standard" milk powder consignment with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture within 15 days. The ministry is to give the test results of the samples of the consignment imported from East European countries.

Sindh High Court orders status quo on Thatta cattle market
A division bench of Sindh High Court of (SHC) comprising Justice Ata-ur-Rahman and Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali on Wednesday ordered maintenance of status quo in respect of occupation of the Cattle Market, Thatta, while issuing notice to the authorities concerned.

Export Promotion Bureau to seek incentives for poultry export
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is to seek incentives such as sales tax refund and duty drawback for the export of poultry especially eggs which has the potential of capturing market share in the Middle East and Far East countries.

Need stressed for improving marketing, storage of mangoes
A visiting delegation of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) has stressed the need for improvement in mango quality and utilisation of most modern techniques and infrastructure to upgrade the marketing and storage capacity according to the standard to bring a prosperous financial change in the country.

Food and Agricultural Organisation team briefed on activities .....
A three-member Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) delegation visited Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad and reviewed the on-going research projects.

Sindh farmers assured of due water share
The Provincial Minister, Irrigation and Power, Syed Aijaz Ali Shah Shirazi, on Wednesday said that provincial government would take all steps to see that Sindh farmers get due share of water for their crops.

Regulatory duty hike on sugar: issue yet unresolved
The government on Wednesday failed to make any headway with the millers on enhancement of regulatory duty on sugar import when a meeting of the stakeholders was told by an official of the National Tariff Commission that upward revision over and above the existing 25 percent duty, through normal means as per World Trade Organisation (WTO) conditions, was not possible.

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