Tissue culture technology is being widely used for large-scale plant multiplication and gives a science-based solution for plant propagation, disease elimination and plant improvement, said Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Chairman Dr Muhammad Azeem Khan during an agreement signing ceremony between PARC and UAE-based Green System Pakistan Pvt Limited.
“Due to disease attacks on local potato varieties, the country has to import potato tubers from Holland. From this agreement in coordination with private sector, we will produce virus free potato tubers locally, which will save our valuable foreign exchange,” the chairman said.
PATCO CEO Dr Muhammad Amjad and Green System Pakistan CEO Rana Tahawar Ali Khan signed the agreement on behalf of their organizations.
Briefing on the agreement, Dr Amjad said this accord is another chapter of cooperation between PARC-PATCO and Green System Pakistan, as the parties will work together to develop screen houses at NARC for expansion to up to two million potato tubers, which would help to reduce import of potato seeds.
PARC is going to arrange its laboratories for the production of healthy and good quality potato, date palm, banana and other plants to farming community, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Rana Tahawar said as a resource provider, his company would provide all required assistance and training to PARC scientists, particularly the provision of tissue culture protocol for date palm. “We are looking forward for multiplication certification and export of healthy, disease free plants,” he added.
