DIRECTOR GENERAL OF IOFS VISITS THE FAISALABAD UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND THE CENTER FOR ADVANCED STUDIES IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY IN PAKISTAN

On 23 November HE Director General Prof. Yerlan A. Baidaulet, accompanied by Director of Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Office, Amb. Daulet Yemberdiev  visited Faisalabad Agriculture University (UAF) and the Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture (CAS) on 23-11-2022. Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, Director QEC, UAF and Chairman PBG supported the site visit of IOFS delegation further to the start of IOFS-COMSTECH 3-days  Wheat Development workshop in Islamabad, where the IOFS Director General inaugurated this event opening ceremony.

He apprised and appreciated the efforts of UAF and Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (CAS-AFS) by visiting Cloud Computing lab and desired collaboration in establishing agro-economical zones by using data science, satellite and GIS models, Dr. Irfan briefed about current activities of the lab. Precision agriculture by use of drone technology lab was show-cased and HE Mr. Baidaulet said to adopt this technology for wider application in many member countries for better crop productivity to ensure food security. Dr. Aftab briefed about cotton lab and use of CRISPR-Cas genome editing technology for varietal improvement and yield to boost the economy by indigenous resources. Dr. Rizwana updated about wheat fortification by Zn and Fe uptake and adaptation of new germplasms in Pakistan in collaboration with WSU-Pullman and UC Davis universities to tackle wheat shortage, food insecurity and substitute import of wheat in the country. Dr. Zaheer demonstrated research activities of Soya bean lab, development of new varieties, germplasm and adoption of this crop in Pakistan for poultry industry and intercropping opportunities. HE Mr. Baidaulet visited tree and plant pathology lab, Dr. Zunaira explained about ongoing activities to control plant pathogens by modern genome editing technologies via resilience and vector-control. Chickpea lab showed varieties and cereal production opportunities in Pakistan which is modest currently to replace stable food and food diversification which is main pillar to address malnutrition and food security, HE apprised that same type of crop exist in Kazakhstan to fulfill the daily dietary needs. Dr. Muhammad Imran Arshad elaborated activities of One Health and Nutrition lab, zoonotic disease surveillance, COVID-19 diagnostics and bacteriophage-based treatment of drug resistant bacteria was demonstrated. H.E. Mr. Baidaulet desired collaboration in vaccinology and biologics production with Kazakh National Agrarian Research University. Later the Ambassador visited CABB, Confucius center building and Pak-Korea Nutrition Center sites for future collaboration and insights. 

The visit was concluded by a meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan (S.I), both heads of institutes discussed in detail the global paradigm of Food Insecurity, climate change, impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and the role of Central Asian states in revival of wheat or fertilizer sources to the world. The VC and H.E. Mr. Baidaulet agreed for mutual collaboration between OIC countries in arena of technology transfer, precision agriculture, health and food security.