March 04 , 2016
News
Pakistani, US officials inaugurate National Biocontrol Laboratory
ISLAMABAD: Jocelyn Brown, deputy administrator at the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), inaugurated the National Biocontrol Laboratory at the National Agricultural Research Centre on Thursday.
The US government provided technical assistance and equipment for the laboratory, which would conduct research to help farmers prevent pests from destroying their crops.
“This new laboratory is an excellent example of governments and institutions working together to introduce new technologies and research capacity,” Brown said. “The laboratory’s work will help farmers control harmful insects, reduce the use of chemicals for pest control and create a safer food supply for Pakistanis.”
Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) Country Director Dr Babar Bajwa and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council Acting Chairman Dr Nadeem Amjad participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony with Brown.
The USDA collaborates with international and Pakistani organisations to strengthen Pakistan’s agricultural sector. During her visit to Pakistan, Brown met with representatives from CABI, the United Nations World Food Programme, and the National Agricultural Research Centre to discuss key achievements in the Pakistani agriculture and ongoing collaborations.
Brown, who served as a peace corps volunteer at the Northwest Frontier Province Agriculture University in Peshawar from 1988 to 1990, commented, “It is exciting to return to Pakistan and to see how our countries are working together to resolve challenging agricultural issues that affect our countries and the world.”
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk