PARC signs three projects with RDA, Korea on Potato, Fodder Crops and Chili

ISLAMABAD, MAY 5: The signing ceremony of Technical Cooperation Projects, between Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA), Rural Development Administration (RDA) Republic of Korea and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) was held today at NARC Islamabad. 

The Ambassador Seo Sang pyo, Dr. Cho Gyoung-rae, Director KOPIA-Pakistan Centre, Mr. Ghufran Memon, Secretary MNFS&R, Dr. Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC, focal person for the KOPIA project from Pakistan, Engr. Shamim ul Sibtain DG NARC, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali Member Plant Sciences PARC, Member Co-ordination and Monitoring Dr. Shahid Hameed and other high officials also attended the Event today.

Chairman PARC, Dr Azeem on his Welcoming Remarks has briefly described the undertaking of the Memorandum of Understanding between South Korea and Pakistan Starting from 22nd March 2018 to the signing on 6th August 2020 by the Ambassador of Pakistan at RDA Headquarters Korea. The explanation for the agreed upon TCPs was given:

1.            Self Sufficiency of virus free Potato seed Multiplication by Aeroponics technique

2.            Establishment of production technology of Major Fodder Crops in Pakistan

3.            Chili production and Post-harvest Management technology Development in Pakistan

PARC Chairman appreciated the engineers from South Korea who came to Pakistan for the Post haste Installation of the Aeroponic Greenhouse for Virus free Potato Seed Multiplication at NARC.

The Chairman also gave remarks for the progress at AZRC – Umerkot regarding the screen house for the nursery raising of Chilies under Protected conditions , five local varieties were raised and transferred to a demonstration plot of five acres, Two Dehydration plants and one washing unit has also been Received at NARC Islamabad for the Installation at AZRC Umerkot , they will be used for red chili drying to make them Aflatoxin free , a main hindrance for the chili export , and a great alternative for protected and fast drying.

Dr Azeem also appreciated the Introduction of five Rye grass varieties at NARC for their Adaptability trials in climatic conditions of Pakistan One Variety has shown exemplary resilience for Growth in Pakistani Environment and a great alternative to existing livestock feed even in winters.

His Excellency the Ambassador of Republic of Korea, Seo Sang Pyo, appreciated the efforts of bilateral cooperation between KOPIA and PARC and expressed his views that the Signing of TCPs is the first of many more to come in Agricultural Technologies.

He appreciated the diversity of Agricultural production in Pakistan especially Mangoes and Basmati Rice and that the transfer of technologies would further enhance the quality of Pakistani Agricultural Products enabling greater export as well as better food security. He anticipated that the Agricultural Technology Co-operation will be another successful story of Korea and Pakistan’s Relations

Mr Ghuffran Memon Secretary of National Food Security & Research has also put forward the remarks that Pakistan is fortunate to have received technology that has already been tried and tested and has shown great results in South Korea. This Transfer of technology will enable Pakistan to further Enhance Productivity and food Security.

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