The Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan said that Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has played a vital role towards improving the agriculture sector in various ways over the past.
The Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research and President of PARC Board of Governors, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan expressed these views while presiding over the 41st Meeting of PARC BoG here on Wednesday. Federal Minister welcomed the new Board of Governors Members on account of its re-constitution and inclusion of progressive farmers & prominent Agriculturist. He hoped that all new members will utilize their vision and experience in revitalizing agricultural research in the country.
The PARC Board of Governor has approved PARC budget for the financial year 2017-18. According to break up figure, the budget included Rs2767.360 million for non-development with additional supplementary grant of Rs855.582 already under process with Administrative Ministry. Rs1261.919 million for Development side for public sector projects have been approved. In addition, the Board has approved Rs206.700 million for MoUs and Rs214.709 million have been approved for Agriculture Linkage Program (ALP) of PARC.
The Board of Governors has also approved adoption of revision of Basic Pay Scales-2017 and Grant of Adhoc Relief Allowance-2017 @ Rs10 as notified by GoP w.e.f 01-07-2017 including other allowances and facilities to the PARC employees. The budget was presented by Muhammad Tariq, Member (Finance), PARC. The Federal Minister in his speech, lauded the efforts of Prime of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Members of Senate and National Assembly Standing Committees on NFS&R to protect NARC from its displacement.
The Board of Governors also discussed research priorities and various issues of agriculture sector which include production planning, cost of productions, crops scenario, policies for research, seed purity and quality, technologies, innovations and future planning. Dr. Yusuf Zafar T.I., Chairman, PARC informed the board about taking various steps for improvement of performance and efficiency of PARC system.