The Center was set up with the total funding of Rs 1799 million. Collective funding comprises Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research worth Rs 1298.63 million and UAF worth Rs 500.960 million. He also inaugurated the Precision Agriculture Lab and distributed 25 laptops among the special people. He also distributed the 30 Kissan cards among the farming community and kicked off plantation campaigns under the Prime Minister Green and Clean Pakistan drive.
The minister said the government had allocated Rs31.49 billion for agriculture under the development budget for financial year 2021-22 with 100 percent increment from the last year in order to uplift the sector, ensure food security and alleviate poverty.
He said that at the inception of Pakistan, country population was 35 million which had reached 220 million. He lauded the agricultural scientists to ensure food security who worked day and night to come up with new varieties and technology to boost up the agricultural per acre productivity. He said we have to adopt modern technology to address the agricultural problems to ensure food security. He said that the Genome center will help a breakthrough in the agriculture sector. He said that compatibility in the technology at par with the modern world was essential to fight different challenges. He showed his concern that our agriculture research is not compatible with the modern world so we have to work hard for the improvement. He said that they are determined to address the problems of majority of population which belong to rural areas. He said that Pakistan is counted in the top 10 countries of agriculture production. He said that the government was ensuring pro agriculture policies. He said that amid the challenges of climate changes, the government was actively working on Green and Clean Pakistan.
UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan lauded the measures being taken on the part of the government to uplift the sector which is the backbone of our economy. He said that the UAF developed 14 agrological zones of the province that will tangible results. He said that the UAF multi authored books were accessed to 8.6 people so far as a step toward creating awareness about technology enhancement. He also said that the UAF was determined to emerge as one of leading institutions in the Prime Minister Clean and Green Pakistan campaign and every employee and the student should plant at least five samplings in their surroundings to curb the gigantic climate changes which were playing havoc with the lives, agriculture and development of the country . He also called for promoting climate resilient with water conservation to avert climate change challenges in the country. He said that immediate steps should be taken to fight the devastating impact of climate change.
PCSIR Chairman Syed Hussain Abidi said that the government was paying special attention to promote the research culture and ensure the betterment in the sector. He urged the agricultural scientists to work with dedication for the development of agriculture sector. MNS University of Agriculture Multan Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asif Ali called for creating the awareness among the farming community about the latest trends. He said that with improved learning ecology, we can bring the change. PMAS Arid Agriculture University Vice Chancellor Dr Qamaz uz Zaman said that we have to make the collaborated efforts for combating the agricultural challenges. He said that they had been running a joint degree program with Dalhousie University Canada and such program will help fight the challenges with knowledge exchange. Focal Person CAS Sultan Habib Sultan Habib Ullah said that Genome Center will work on crops, vegetables, fruits, and human health. He said that application of Genome editing includes medicine, biology, and biotechnology
Progressive farmer Afaq Ahmad Tawana said that poverty alleviation was directly linked to the agriculture sector which is the backbone of our economy. He said that we have to create the awareness about latest trends and develop the indigenous solutions to address problems of farming community DG Ayub Research Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi said that all out efforts were being made for tangible research work and new verities. Director Agriculture Extension Dr Abdul Hameed said that 38000 kissan cards registration has been made so far .Director Financial Assistance Dr Muhammad Ahsan Khan and other also spoke. The Minister along with UAF Vice Chancellor distributed cheque of CAS staff salaries.