|
It was informed that University of Agriculture, Faisalabad was fostering sustainable agriculture through various interventions focusing contemporary developments in seed science and technology to augment of human resource and leveraging industry partnership.
The “Second Pakistan Seed Congress’ was successfully held at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad from November 21-22, 2016. The Seed Congress had sizeable delegates from within Pakistan as well as from other countries. The seed industry stakeholders were well represented during the Congress proceedings and actively registered in the “Seed Expo” 2016 which was inaugurated by Mr. Rana Sana Ullah, Provincial Law Minister along with Prof Dr. Iqrar Ahmed Khan Vice Chancellor UAF, Similarly, the university students and faculty remained present in various sessions of the Congress. The contribution of resource persons/delegates with diverse experience and expertise from countries like USA, China, Turkey, Singapore and Thailand in addition to domestic public and private seed sector organizations and various agricultural research and educational institutions of the country made the event historic.
The Organizing of 2nd Pakistan Seed Congress was a joint effort of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department, Seed Association of Pakistan and Crop Life Pakistan who have joined hands under the auspices of Pakistan Seed Promotion Alliance (PSPA). PSPA (previously known as Pakistan Seed Academy) is aimed at strengthening collaboration between public and private sector and stands for making Pakistan’s seed sector competitive and sustainable to meet the emerging challenges.
In organizing these mega seed sector events the United States Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (USPCAS-AFS), University of Agriculture Faisalabad played an instrumental role.
The theme of the congress was “Seed Security for Sustainable Agriculture” with objectives to provide possible solutions to the seed business concerns and growers to deal with the emerging challenges.
Among many activities planned and organized during the Seed Congress, one of the attraction was seed exhibition where more than 40 National, and Multinational Seed Companies and solution providers of allied business showcased their products, technologies and innovations for the benefit of the seed professionals and farming community.
There was considerable proactive participation of foreign speakers including Kent Bradford, Distinguished Professor/Director, Seed Biotechnology Centre, UC Davis, USA, Mr. Johan Van Asbrouck, President, International Seed Academy Thailand, Mr. Timothy Blank, California Crop Improvement Association USA, Dr. Suleyman Karahan, General Directorate of Agricultural Research Ankara, Turkey, Dr. Chen Mao from Monsanto Singapore, Ms. Zhu Xiaobo, Managing Director Wuhan Qingfa-Hesheng seed company China. These experts shared their knowledge and experience with the congress participants covering various aspect of seed technology and business.
Development partners and UN system representatives like Mr. Francisco Gamarro, Deputy FAO Representative, and Dr. Stephen P. Davies, IFPRI shared their views and commitment for the betterment of Pakistan’s seed sector. Dr. Jim Hill, Emeritus Professor of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis gave valuable input based on years’ long experiences for the benefit of academia and seed industry practitioners’.
During the farmer’s session, Dr. Muhammad Anjum Ali, DG Agri Extension, Mr. Faisal Shah and Mr. Muhammad Saleem Raza shared their experiences focusing farming community issues and their expectation from the seed suppliers.
|