ISLAMABAD (APP) – Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Chairman Naveed Salimi has said that science based decision making and coordination in agricultural policy making are needed for long term changes in economy.

He stated this while speaking at a day-long high level workshop on “Promoting Science and Innovation in Agriculture in Pakistan” here Monday.
A consultative workshop on Balochistan was jointly organized by Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), in collaboration with donor i.e. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), International Mize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ICARDA and US Agency for International Development (USAID) to take the Government of Balochistan on-board.
The main aim of this consultative session was to highlight and prioritize research recommendations for consideration at both national and international level to promote science based productivity and growth in livestock and livestock value chain, horticulture and horticulture value chain, cereal systems and natural resources management.
Naveed Salimi said that PARC coordination mechanism with the provincial research systems including mechanisms for each of PARC’s main divisions. The prioritization of research wherein PARC would work on selected areas and support the provinces in other areas, he added.
He said increased involvement of different stakeholders which can contribute in developing the final output of the technology.
He said that additional investment in research infrastructure is prerequisite. Salimi said that improvements in the dissemination of research and exploration of public private partnership to commercialize public research and publicly developed technologies.
Secretary Agriculture, Government of Balochistan said that Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) is playing an effective role for developing agricultural sector in the country in collaboration with provincial agricultural research institution.
The participants of the workshop identified various issues for attention of the Government which include, livestock sector genetic quality of small ruminants, their health and nutrition,  market development, seed shortages, value addition of horticultural crops, water scarcity in Balochistan, value addition in water management, new themes are to be propagated where crops that need lesser water, good quality seed availability, water conservation, management, lack of coordination between policy makers, agricultural research and development institutions.
A set of recommendations prepared by the participants during the meeting with its all stake-holders to discuss if Balochistan needs an independent/autonomous Agricultural Research Board (Like the PARB ) with an endowment fund.
Further, Government of Balochistan will try to activate and constitute a “Think Tank” that shall be used for preparing and submitting Protect Concepts for competitive grants and Capacity building /HRD shall be followed-up and the younger researcher will be selected to send abroad.
Germplasm from PARC and other international organizations like ICARD and CIMMYT will be made available for Balochistan as well. Seed availability in Balochistan will be made available through involvement of private sector and up-gradation of Agri College to the status of Agricultural University will also be made.
On this occasion Dr. Kingster Bash, IFPRI, Dr. Rick Ward PSIAP, Director General, Extension, Govt. of Balochistan, Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Member, Social Sciences Division and
Director General, NARC, Shahid Masood, PSD, Dr. Nadeem Amjad, Member, CSD Dr. Rafiqual Hassan Usmani, Member ASD, Representatives of Balochistan Government highlighted in detail about the different strengths and opportunities available for the promotion of agriculture sector in Balochistan.