Agriculture development

After recognition of biotechnology as a priority research area in 2001, MST created a National Commission on Biotechnology, composed of renowned scientists in the field of biotechnology. This commission advises the Pakistani government on specific measures for the development of agricultural, health, and environmental biotechnology to the economic development of the country. It is also charged with strengthening collaboration between the government and the private sector in the development and production of biotechnology products in the agricultural and health sectors.2 The Pakistani government’s Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF) 2005–10 stresses the role of agricultural research in enhancing agricultural productivity. It specifically emphasizes accelerating the development of high-yielding, diseaseresistant varieties of crops, and says that programs on genetic engineering, biotechnology, and tissue culture will be established and strengthened in selected institutes. In addition, the coordination and linkages between research and extension will be reinforced, and capacity development in agricultural R&D will be improved by earmarking an adequate share of agricultural scientists in PhD programs of the Higher Education Commission. THE ORGANIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL R&D IN PAKISTAN This report categorizes Pakistan’s agricultural R&D agencies by government agencies, higher education agencies, nonprofit agencies, and businesses (see Appendix A for definitions and methodology used in this report). A total of 111 agencies were identified to be involved in agricultural R&D in Pakistan; completed survey forms were received from 237 entities within these 111 agencies (listed in Appendix C.).3 In 2003, these 111 agencies together employed more than 3,600 full-time equivalent (fte) researchers and spent 2.4 billion 2000 Pakistani rupees—equivalent to nearly 200 million constant international dollars at year 2000 prices (Table 1).4 2 PCST is executing a project called the ‘Promotion of Biotechnology Research in Pakistan and Preparation of Biotechnology Action Plan’ to promote biotechnology research in Pakistan. The project has prepared a draft National Biotechnology Policy and Action Plan. Grants have been provided to scientists and institutes that promote biotechnology research, to organize national workshops and seminars, and to coordinate and strengthen biotechnology research in the selected R&D organizations. 3 The survey round was conducted in a decentralized manner. For example, we received separate survey returns for each of the programs and other units under the various NARC institutes and provincial agricultural research institutes. 4 Unless otherwise stated, all data on research expenditures are reported in international dollars or in 2000 rupees. 6 Table 1—Composition of agricultural R&D expenditures and researchers, 2003 Type of agency Total Spending 

Total researchers Share Agencies/ units in samplea Number of surveys received 2000 rupees 2000 international dollars Spending Researchers (millions) (fte's) (percentage) (number) Public agencies Federal government PARC 202.7 17.0 239.0 8.6 6.6 15 22 NARC 415.8 34.8 500.0 17.6 13.9 11 44 Other 228.5 19.1 285.9 9.6 7.9 11 11 Subtotal 847.1 70.9 1,024.9 35.8 28.4 37 77 Provincial government Balochistan 94.6 7.9 169.2 4.0 4.7 6 27 NWFP 138.1 11.6 354.0 5.8 9.8 4 14 Punjab 677.9 56.8 1,162.7 28.6 32.3 16 47 Sindh 229.5 19.2 485.5 9.7 13.5 18 30 Subtotal 1,140.1 95.5 2,171.4 48.1 60.2 44 118 Higher-educationb 245.3 20.5 281.1 10.4 7.8 17 29 Total public 2,232.5 186.9 3,477.4 94.2 96.5 98 224 Private enterprisesc 136.3 11.4 127.6 5.8 3.5 13 13 Total 2,368.8 198.3 3,605.0 100 100 111 237 Source: Compiled by authors from ASTI survey data (IFPRI–PARC 2003–05). a See Appendix C for a list of the 111 agencies included in this sample. b Expenditures for the higher education sector in our sample are estimates based on average expenditures per researcher at the government agencies. Staff at the higher education agencies spent between 10 and 40 percent of their time on research, resulting in 281.1 fte researchers. c Expenditures for seven private enterprises are estimates based on average expenditures per researcher for the private enterprises for which data were available. Federal Government Agencies The main federal agency involved in agricultural research is the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), part of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock (MINFAL). PARC was established in 1981 (see Appendix B for a short history of agricultural research in Pakistan) to conduct, support, coordinate, and promote agricultural research throughout Pakistan. PARC also provides training for research staff and acquires and disseminates research information to improve the use of new technologies. PARC is managed by a board of governors (BoG). The BoG is the highest authority of the Council and is responsible for the control, direction, and superintendence of PARC’s affairs. The federal minister for Food, Agriculture, and Livestock is also President of the Council and chair of the BoG. The board is assisted by the Research Advisory Committee (RAC), which is composed of the chairman and members of PARC,