Government Committed to Ensure Self-Sufficiency in Soybean Production, Reduce Import Bill, Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik

Islamabad, (Dte. PR&P, PARC); Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) organized “National Workshop on Soybean Production in Pakistan” on December 18, 2023. Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik, the Federal Minister for the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, graced the event as the Chief Guest. Captain (Rtd) Muhammad Mehmood, Federal Secretary of MNFS&R, Ms. Florence Rolle, Country Representative of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Dr. Iqrar Ahmed Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, were also in attendance. The workshop attracted participation of senior scientists and stakeholders from various provincial and federal Agriculture Departments, encouraging a collaborative environment for knowledge exchange and discussions on soybean production constraints in the country. The event witness active participation of the delegates from Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA), Private Sector and Farmers.

While addressing the workshop, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research emphasized the need to integrate soybean cultivation into the agricultural landscape of the country while ensuring its ecological compatibility. Additionally, he emphasized the significance of ensuring that soybean production becomes economically feasible for farmers. Federal Minister also underscored the significant linkages between soybean production and its stakeholder like poultry and solvent industry, which heavily relies on soybean as a crucial ingredient. He praised PARC for its dedication in emphasizing the importance of soybean production and thanked FAO for their consistent support to Pakistan’s agricultural sector.

Federal Secretary for Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Captain (Rtd.) Muhammad Mehmood in his address said that Soybean is one of the major contributor in the import bill and we have to indigenize the production of Soybean, along with other commodities, to reduce the import bill. He said that we need to devise a soyben-2030 plan to achieve self-sufficiency in Soybean production. In his keynote address, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali extended a warm welcome to the esteemed guests and stressed on the plan for self-sufficiency in soybean production. He was of the view that all the resources are there to materialize the plan there is a need to fully harness the available resources. This initiative holds immense importance as it has the potential to save billions of dollars spent on importing soybeans for the country. Chairman PARC also highlighted the possibilities and action plan of soybean cultivation in Balochistan.

Ms. Florence Rolle reiterated the organization’s commitment to ensuring food and nutritional security and emphasized the significance of integrating farmers in the process to achieve self-sufficiency in agriculture sector. During discussions in the workshop, representative from PPA and the private sector, there was full-fledged endorsement for the self-sufficiency plan, accompanied by a commitment of unwavering support from their end. The farmers also expressed their gratitude for organizing an event addressing such a crucial national issue.
The workshop also included a dynamic and participative roundtable discussion session focused on formulating a practical action plan to achieve self-sustainability in soybean production. The Minister for National Food Security and Research expressed gratitude to all esteemed participants, particularly acknowledging FAO for their active involvement in these significant events.