PARC to set up six labs to monitor pesticide residues

ISLAMABAD: Federal Secretary of Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) Seerat Asghar Tuesday said that pesticide residues were not only harmful for human health but also affecting export of fruits and vegetables.

He said our scientists have controlled the fruit fly problem in the country but efforts are needed to minimize the use of pesticide in agriculture.

The Federal Secretary expressed these views while chairing a meeting of Steering Committee of PSDP project on National Pesticide Residues Monitoring System in Pakistan here at PARC (HQs).

He said that awareness should be created through this project among all stakeholders in the country for judicious use of pesticides, a statement said.

On the occasion, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad said during 2004 high quantity of pesticide residues were found in the water of Rawal Lake.

Dr. Iftikhar said that under this project PARC was establishing one accredited Centre for Excellence of Pesticide Residue at federal level at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Chakshahzad Islamabad and satellite labs - one each in Punjab Sindh Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Director General of Department of Plant Protection Dr. Mubarik Ahmad said there was acute shortage of scientific manpower and laboratories facilities in the country to monitor the residues level in various fruits and vegetables for trade.

Director Ecotoxicology Research Institute of NARC Dr. Karam Ahad gave a detailed presentation about the project and its components.

On this occasion Muhammad Humayun Secretary Agriculture KPK Zafar Hassan Reza Member (Finance) PARC Shahzad Baloch DC F&A Ministry of Planning Development and Reforms and other senior scientists also shared their knowledge and experience with the participants.