ISLAMABAD, July 22 (INP): The Ambassador of Argentine to Pakistan, H.E. Ivan Ivanissevich has visited National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) to see new innovations and technologies, developed by PARC system, and to share new knowledge and experience with Pakistani scientists. The wife of Ambassador also accompanied him. She is a progressive grower in Argentina.

The Country Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO-UN) in Pakistan, Patrick T. Evan also accompanied the Ambassador of Argentine Republic during briefing session and field visit of NARC. Chairman, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Dr. Nadeem Amjad welcomed the delegation and gave a detailed briefing about PARC and its research establishments working across the country in various ecological zones for the promotion and development of agriculture sector in Pakistan.

Director General NARC Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan also gave a detailed presentation about NARC and its research institutes, laboratories, new projects and accomplishments. He highlighted various innovations in crops, livestock, natural resources and other disciplines of agriculture including new crops varieties / hybrids developed by NARC and success stories of the Centre. The senior scientists of PARC leading various disciplines of agriculture were also present in the briefing session. Later on, the Ambassador and other members of delegation visited NARC fields of soybean, mung, mash, maize and other crops.

He also witnessed the compost plant & silage production plant; sheds of Sahiwal breeds of cows & buffalo, goats of Rajanpuri and beetal breeds and Angora rabbit. Drainage water channel system and reservoir, olive orchard, National GeneBank (established with the assistance of Japanese Government), horticultural crops area, screen house for disease free germplam multiplication of plants, citrus and other fruit plants nurseries were also visited.

Agricultural Biological Engineering Institute with its workshop and farm machinery (groundnut digger / thresher, wheat straw chopper, olive oil extraction machine, fertilizer band placement wheat drill, zero tillage drill, seeder for direct drilling in heavy crop residue, sisal decorticator, solar dryer systems for drying of fruits and vegetables and many other new machinery) also the entities which attracted the delegation at high level. The Ambassador was very much impressed with the performance of various Research Institutes and Laboratories of the Centre. He took keen interest in PARC interventions for cooperation.

Credit/INP-wealthpk