20000412

MOU signed

Pakistan, UAE

to collaborate

in biosaline

agriculture

ISLAMABAD: United Arab Emirates and Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday for collaboration in the field of biosaline agriculture.

The agreement was signed by Dr Mohammad Al-Attar on behalf of UAE Biosaline Agricultural Centre and Dr Kausar Abdulla Malik, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council.

According to the agreement the scientists of both the countries will share knowledge and upgrade their skills for development of agricultural sector to meet the present day challenges.

Dr Mohammad Al-Attar of the UAE Biosaline Agricultural Centre is currently on a visit to Pakistan for attending the international seminar on "Prospects for Saline Agriculture".

The first biosaline research field station was established in the country in 1982 at Sadhoke near Lahore, Dr Kausar Abdulla Malik said while talking to APP after signing the agreement.

He said that further research projects were initiated in collaboration with Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, ODA, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and government of Netherlands, whereas active research was conducted by the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Directorate of Land Reclamation, Lahore and other agencies under the auspices of the PARC.

Dr Kausar said that PARC is one of the institutions in the country having a comprehensive programme of research by having interaction of commodity, discipline and strategic research institutes in the country.ÑAPP