There is an array of agricultural biotechnologies available today that contribute to ensuring food and nutrition security in agri based economies around the world. However, there is a wide range of issues concerning agricultural biotechnologies including investments, dissemination, adoption and use of biotechnologies , regulation, policies, intellectual property rights , nutrition and climate change that still need to be addressed urgently .
Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology and Regulatory Affairs, 3 day workshop in Lahore 25-27 September
Although agricultural biotechnology has made significant strides in Pakistan, there is a need for better coordination and collaboration to promote knowledge sharing of ideas, scientific advances and practices.
With the objective to showcase and exchange knowledge on current research activities in biotechnology underway in universities and R&D institutions in Pakistan, a three day workshop was organized at Forman Christian College in Lahore on 25-27 September. Representatives from national and provincial agriculture institutions and prominent members of the scientific community attended.
Mr Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research as Chief Guest in his opening notes highlighted the potential of agriculture biotechnologies and relevance to the development of sustainable agriculture and the importance of the workshop in forging collaborations. With reference to the Ministry efforts in streamlining regulatory affairs, he announced that the National Biosafety Committee under the Ministry of Climate Change had started functioning in the field of commercialization.
Need for National Biotechnologies Policy and Startegy in Pakistan
Ms Minà Dowlatchahi, FAO Representative in Pakistan, in her opening remarks and in chairing the first Technical Session, appreciated the workshop as a first step towards the development of a strategic plan and in identifying opportunities of using biotechnologies that would benefit small holder farmers. This, she said would help modernize agriculture sustainably in Pakistan and achieve food security and economic growth, while helping adapt to climate change.
Ms Minà Dowlatchahi, reiterating FAO’s support said: “FAO stands ready to support efforts by providing legal and technical advice on areas such as intellectual property rights and facilitation of innovative modalities to support change in farmers’ practices and behaviour in the adoption of relevant biotechnologies”
She also said that that the draft National Food Security Policy provides the framework for a national strategy for the development and application of biotechnology in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and livestock. Establishing priorities within the broad context of Pakistan agriculture research needs and policies is key to identifying best suited biotechnologies that benefit small holders and poor farmers. This should also take into account all possible negative impacts and benefits including loss of biodiversity and famers’ access to quality inputs, she added.
FAO Regional Meeting on Agricultural Biotechnologies in Asia – Pacific
Earlier in September, about 200 representatives of governments, intergovernmental organizations, private sector entities, academia and research institutions and civil society and producer organizations met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the FAO Regional Meeting on Agriculture Biotechnologies in Asia – Pacific. The meeting encompassed a wide spectrum of available biotechnology in different sectors and showcased experiences from various countries.