Food Security is a global challenge and in order to feed the ever-growing global population (expected to be 10 billion in 2050), the use of modern technique like genomics, biotechnology and speed breeding in agriculture is inevitable. Next Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) is pre-requisite for genomics to be implemented in agriculture.
This was said by Syed Fakhar Imam Federal Minister for Ministry of National Food Security & Research on the occasion of One Day Seminar on “Next Generation DNA Sequencing & Inauguration of NGS Lab” at National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology at NARC, Islamabad. Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali Chairman PARC and other scientists / researchers attended the ceremony.
Addressing the audiences, Minister said that installation of NGS facility at NIGAB is a paradigm shift towards eliciting use of the modern genomic techniques in agricultural productivity enhancement in Pakistan.
He lauded the efforts of Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali in establishing state of the art National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB). Minister emphasized the need to adopt modern breeding techniques for per acre yield increase of Pakistani crop such as sugarcane, wheat, maize, rice and cotton. He gave an overview of agricultural progress made by neighboring countries specifically China.
