Modern Agricultural Technologies Essential for Quality Seed Production: Dr. Mansoor
ISLAMABAD(City reporter) Promoting modern agricultural technologies is essential for increasing the local production of quality seed potatoes, reducing dependence on imported seed, and ensuring food security in Pakistan. Advanced techniques such as tissue culture and aeroponics can significantly enhance the production of disease-free, high-quality seed potatoes.Dr. Muhammad Mansoor, Director General of the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), expressed these views while addressing the closing ceremony of a two-week hands-on training programme organized under the Pak-Korea PSDP Project.
The training programme, titled “Certified Seed Potato Production through Tissue Culture and Aeroponics,” was held from November 2 to 13, 2026, at the National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad.Dr. Muhammad Mansoor, who attended the ceremony as the chief guest, distributed certificates among the participants who successfully completed the training and appreciated the efforts of the organizers.The ceremony was attended by Dr. Park Intae, Director KOPIA Pakistan Center; Dr. Aish Muhammad Coordinator KOPIA; Dr. Kazim Ali, Project In-charge Pak-Korea PSDP Project; Dr. Khalid Farooq, Seed Potato Expert, KOPIA; Dr. Sair Sarwar, Director Admin NARC; Dr. Asad Farooq, Principal Scientific Officer; Dr. Raja Mohib Muazzam Naz and other distinguished participants.Representatives from the Directorate of Agricultural Research Gilgit-Baltistan, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh, and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad participated in the training programme.
Addressing the ceremony, the speakers emphasized that the availability of quality and disease-free seed is fundamental to improving potato productivity in Pakistan.He further emphasized that knowledge sharing, technical skill development, and technology transfer are essential for strengthening the national seed potato production system and ensuring sustainable access to quality planting material.The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates among the successful participants. Caption:½ISlamabad:Participants of the hands-on training programme organized by the National Agricultural Research Centre under the Pak-Korea PSDP Project pose for a group photograph with Chief Guest Dr. Muhammad Mansoor at the closing ceremony in Islamabad.
