Biotech Updates

Pakistani Experts Identify Biotech's Potential to Enhance Food Production

April 4, 2012

Biotechnology can contribute to Pakistan's food security as it has great potential to enhance food production by 5 to 6 per cent. This was the view expressed by Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Choudhary, Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, Karachi University (KU) at a press conference at the Latif Ebrahim Jamal (LEJ) National Science Information Center, University of Karachi. The press conference aimed to raise awareness about the tremendous potential of biotechnology commercialization for the sustainable development of Pakistan.

Dr. Yousuf Zafar, Director General of the Atomic Energy Commission, said that agriculture lands are being drastically reduced in the country but that biotechnology is an important scientific tool to increase agricultural production. "This year Pakistan has produced record breaking cotton production. Despite late start, the country has achieved a substantial economic gain through biotechnology application (cotton). The proper use of biotechnology approach can bring rapid agriculture development in the country, while the potential of biotech crops for the future is enormous," Zafar elaborated.

Check out  http://www.pabic.com.pk/Rising%20Population%20food%20needs%20can%20be%20solve%20by%20Biotechnology.html for details of the press conference.