Shifting of Mingora-Swat vegetable market demanded

July 11, 2013

Vegetable merchant and wholesalers have demanded the All Pakistan Agriculture Produce Traders Federation to acquire a piece of land for shifting of Mingora-Swat vegetable market from the present location. The Itahad Union Sabzi Mandi Mingora-Swat, President Sahib Jamal said that there was dire need to shift vegetable market Mingora-Swat in a proper location, because of overcrowded population surrounding the market.
He was speaking at a meeting of Itehad Union Sabzi Mandi Mingora-Swat on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by the union senior Vice President, Haji Akbar Khan, Syed Nawab and Fazal Ghaffar, Khan Gul, Haji Khurshid, Rahmat Khan, Haji Mukhtar and other leaders of trade unions. Sahib Jamal said that the Mingora-Swat vegetable market had established in 1983, but the population was growing with passage of time. He said that vegetable dealers and shoppers are facing numerous difficulties in the present situation.

Source: Business Recorder

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Agricultural sector promotes biotechnology

Wednesday, July-10-2013

National Food Security and Research Federal Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, discussed the need to promote biotechnology at the launch ceremony of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) Report-44 on the global status of commercialised biotech crops.

The minister said Pakistan is an agricultural country and 70% of its population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. In order to meet the needs of the growing population, modern agricultural technologies must be used to increase crop yields.

Bosan said biotech crops can significantly increase productivity and can fuel rural economic growth that helps reduce poverty in the country. He also said that the use of biotech crops can help ensure food security. The minister said that a farmer oriented national strategy was needed to promote understanding of biotechnology amongst farmers, and develop biotechnology at the grassroots level.

“In the future, our country needs to work out plans for drought control, use nitrogen efficiently, increase nutrition value of food crops by employing modern farming methods and also develop a chain for sustainable and quality supply of food and feed in the country”, said Bosan.

According to the minister, Pakistan was amongst the first few countries to realize the potential of biotechnology in the early 1970s but over time the implementation process slowed down.

Source: The Express Tribune

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Low flood in river Kabul

Wednesday, July-10-2013

The Irrigation Department Flood Forecasting Cell (FFC) reported low flood in River Kabul at Warsak and River Sindh at Khairabad in Nowshera district on Tuesday.

According to spokesman of FFC, Peshawar, low flood in River Kabul at Warsak and Nowshera was recorded this morning where total water flow remained 39,810 and 58,700 cusecs respectively.

Similarly, 240,200 cusec water has been recorded in River Sindh at Khairabad Nowshera. He said River Sindh at Khairabad is in low flood. Low flood was also reported in River Punjkora at Dir and River Swat at Charsadda Road while others rivers in KPK are flowing normal.

The spokesman urged people not to pay attention on floods rumours and contact the cell of Deputy Commissioners Offices for confirmation of flood reports.

Source: Business Recorder

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Argentine envoy, IT Minister discuss cooperation in S&T

Wednesday, July-10-2013

Ambassador of Argentine to Pakistan Rodolfo J. Martin Saravia called on Federal Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid here on Tuesday and discussed new avenues of cooperation in the field of science and technology, health and agriculture sector.

Both the sides agreed on the proposal that a joint workshop in the field of biotechnology and material science would be held for future collaboration.

The Ambassador assured that his government would fully support and facilitate the Pakistani scientists in their participation in international conference on expedition of Southern Antarctica.

Both the sides agreed that a Pak-Argentine joint workshop on estuarine and coastal studies would be held for further collaboration in the filed of oceanography.

The minister thanked the Ambassador for the assistance in the field of science and technology, health and agricultural sectors in Pakistan.

He said that government to government contacts would be increased to strengthen relations between the two countries.

He said that the present democratic government was business friendly and would facilitate and protect the interest of foreign investors in Pakistan, which would be fruitful for boosting up economic activities and projecting a soft image of the country.

Federal Secretary for Science and Technology Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar was also present in the meeting.

Source: Pakistan Observer

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Water, energy issues of concern for Pakistan

Wednesday, July-10-2013

Food security, water, energy and climate change issues are the main areas of concerns, which need to be addressed with collaborated efforts, said USAID Pakistan Director Jo Lesser.

Addressing a meeting of the Centre for Advanced Studies held at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad videoconference room on Tuesday, she said that the USAID was setting up three centres for advanced studies, including the Food Security Centre at the UAF, the Centre on Energy at the NUST and the Centre on Water at the UET, Jamshoro. She said the US was committed to uplift the country and the projects were aimed at addressing the issues at the national level.

Speaking on occasion, UAF Vice-Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that four chairs would be set up under the Food Security/Agriculture Centre at the UAF, including Climate Changes Chair, Biodiversity Chair, Agriculture Policy Chair and Precision Agriculture Chair.

Higher Education Commission Executive Director Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the setting up of the centres was a hallmark step, which would help the country fight water, food security and climate change challenges. He called for collaborated efforts to tackle the issues in the shape of quality researches and producing trained manpower.

Prof Dr Iqbal called for using the alternative methods of energy to meet the demand of electricity. The methods, included bio-energy and solar energy, he added. Dr Qamaruzzaman said that the precision agriculture must be promoted in the country to increase the per acre production with the usage of satellite system. Water Research Centre Management Director Dr Allah Bakhsh stressed the need of enhancing water productivity by using feasible efficient irrigation techniques.

Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Chattha said that climate change chair would focus on ensuring food security by adapting and mitigating climate change through research, capacity building and creating awareness among stakeholders. UET Peshawar Vice-Chancellor Dr Imtiaz Hussain Gilani and others also spoke on the occasion.

Source: The News

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