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.
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.”
On the occasion, Dr Yusuf Zafar, Chairman PARC urged the participants on making 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 more added that the future of sustainable agriculture in Pakistan relies on seed purity and seed genetics.