ISLAMABAD( WNAM REPORT): Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA) held a joint inaugural ceremony at NARC Islamabad for their collaborative effort on certified seed potato production using advanced Aeroponics technology. During the event, Rana Tanveer Hussain, the Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, commended the progress achieved by researchers from KOPIA and PARC in this field. He emphasized the government’s dedication to enhancing the agricultural sector through modern technologies and innovation. Federal Minister underscored the significance of robust research practices and encouraged young researchers to contribute to national food security and research, expressing gratitude to the Korean delegation for their continuous financial support and technical assistance.
Dr. Kwak Do-Yeon, Director General NICS/Rural Development Administration (RDA) Korea, emphasized RDA’s role in advancing high-tech agriculture in developing nations, stressing the significance of technological progress in boosting agricultural output. He commended the KOPIA Pakistan Center for being the top center among the 23 global centers. Mr. Park Ki Jun, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Pakistan, highlighted the collaborative initiatives between Pakistan and Korea, particularly focusing on the joint seed potato production project. He announced plans to accelerate the project on a larger scale and revealed the upcoming launch of several other projects.
Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman PARC, expressed gratitude to the Republic of Korea for their financial and technical support to Pakistan’s agricultural sector. He highlighted the significance of developing Aeroponic potato seeds and the joint efforts of PARC and KOPIA in indigenizing seed potato production through advanced Aeroponic technology. Dr. Ali also announced more projects worth over USD 8.0 million related to livestock breed improvement and indigenized farm machinery for small farmers, which are expected to be initiated in 2025. Dr. Ali reiterated that these cutting-edge technologies will not only help to meet the local consumption of seed potato, but will also curtail heavy important bill. Dr. Cho Gyoungrae, Director of KOPIA-Pakistan Center, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project involving various research institutions, as well as public and private sectors. He anticipated that this initiative would significantly improve the quality and availability of seed potato in Pakistan, thereby bolstering agricultural growth and food security in the country. After the inaugural session, Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Korean Ambassador to Pakistan and Chairman PARC inaugurated newly constructed Aeroponic facilities for seed potato production.
The partnership between KOPIA and PARC seeks to transform seed potato production in Pakistan by improving efficiency, minimizing post-harvest losses, and introducing on-farm processing, enhancing human capital, and generating substantial employment opportunities. An International Symposium on Seed Potato Production, Certification, and Supply System was also organized following the inaugural ceremony. This symposium aimed to advance self-reliance in seed potato production through the demonstration of cutting-edge Aeroponic technology and seed certification mechanisms. By convening researchers, industry professionals, and stakeholders, the event facilitated the exploration of innovative strategies to enhance seed potato quality and output.
