PARC has established Technologies Display Centre PATCO here at PARC headquarters aiming at giving public access to the edible commodities produced by agriculture scientists. Inauguration plate and ribbon cutting ceremony was carried out by Minister MNFSR, Fakhar Imam in the presence of Chairman PARC, and other high officials at PARC headquarters on August 03.2020.
While appreciating the role of PARC innovations and research in promoting agri-business, Syed Fakhar Imam stated that in the future four lac tons certified seed of wheat crop will be provided to the farmers. This will bring up to 5-10% increase in our wheat production and help in meeting the targets of country’s wheat demand, which has faced 2 million tones of production shortage. He also highlighted the efforts of PARC scientists in production enhancement of pulses, rice, sugarcane and edible oils and told to the media persons that PARC is moving a step forward to improved nutrition sustainable development goals. Value added productions can be the best source of income and oil seed crops needs to be promoted. Initiatives under Prime Minister Agriculture Emergency, Rice, Sugarcane, Wheat and Pulses will also lead to agriculture sustainability in Pakistan.
Mr. Omar Hamid, Federal Secretary MNFSR, while emphasizing upon the public private collaboration in agriculture suggested strengthening the Public Private Partnership Mode to revolutionize the agriculture of Pakistan.
Chairman PARC, Dr. Azeem Khan informed about a number of PARC products that are now available for sale to general public. These products included honey, beverages, poultry/dairy products, fresh veggies, cereals, fertilizers, seeds of approved verities, herbal products, bakery/frozen products etc. He further said that unsafe food practices containing harmful chemical substances is the major cause of malnutrition and poor health of people. In this respect, PATCO shop is equipping with hygienically processed and organic food items with the help of agri-experts, food scientists and farmers. He also stated that there was a dire need of applied leadership in quality assurance and innovations of scientists which otherwise remains in laboratories. Agreement is also in progress for the establishment of “PARC-PATCO Shops Franchise” all over the country with SMASS (PVT.) Ltd.