National Food Security 
Agriculture is the mainstay of Pakistan's economy and around 70%
of the Pakistan's population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture.
Re-nvigoration of agricultural sector is vital for stable economy. The present
Government has introduced various farmer friendly steps, including fixation of
wheat and rice support prices, Benazir Credit Card & Tractor Schemes etc. The
Government's agriculture policy has resulted in successive bumper crops of
wheat, rice and sugercane despite consecutive colossal floods in the years 2010
and 2011.
The PPP-led government on assumption of power, tried to ensure the availability
of food supplies in line with the PPP manifesto. It took a number of initiatives
for the food security.
PASSCO has been maintaining 1.7 million tons wheat which includes National
Strategic Reserves to meet any emergent situation in the country. It is
constructing steel silos for the capacity of 0.65 million tons collaboration
with Islamic Development Bank.
The milk production has increased by 3.25%, meat 4.4% and eggs 5.2% during
2010-11 as compared to 2009-10;
The government has released wheat variety “NARC-2011” for irrigated areas which
is resistant to rust with yield potential of 7.2 tons/ha.
“PARC Canola Hybrid” seed produced and distributed to farmers through PARC
Agro-Tech Company (PATCO);
Developed two “Sorghum, Sudan Grass Hybrids” with yield potential of 140
tons/ha;
Developed Potato Clone “ NARC 2002-1” with potential yield of 50 tons/ha
Aerobic rice technology developed having yield advantage 30-40% and water saving
20-30%;
800 germ plasm of different crops collected, evaluated & preserved in PGR
Facility (Total 28,633)
Tissue Culture Lab developed at Thatta – 5,000 banana plants for Sindh in 2010
Grain quality testing laboratories of international standard (ISO-17025)
certified) at NARC, Islamabad, and SARC, Karachi providing service to exporters
and importers. Gene against white fly has been identified from garlic to address
the issue of CLCV in cotton
Fruit Plan Certification scheme has been initiated in Pakistan and FSC&RD has
registered 120 fruits plan nurseries and 65000 plants have been certified.
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