LAHORE: The Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations have joined hands for cotton research and sustainability in the country and for the purpose a regional office of the FAO is being established at the PCCC head office in Multan.

This was announced during a meeting between PCCC Vice-President Dr Yusuf Zafar and FAO representative in Pakistan Florence Rolle and Imelda Bergina, FAO senior technical adviser at the PCCC head office.

Dr Zafar highlighted the critical importance of this partnership saying, “The collaboration between FAO and PCCC will open new avenues for research and development, ultimately contributing to the growth and sustainability of Pakistan’s cotton industry.”

The partnership is set to focus on developing and implementing climate-resilient agricultural practices, enhancing cotton research and development, promoting agricultural innovation and technology transfer, and strengthening capacity-building and training programmes, he added.

A new regional FAO office is being established at the PCCC head office which will serve as a hub for joint initiatives and projects as well as facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing between the two organisations, fostering an environment conducive for innovation and development in the agriculture sector.

At the inaugural ceremony of the Eddy Flex Tower at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) in Multan, Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Sahoo expressed his support for the joint research projects between the PCCC and FAO. He underscored the importance of such collaborations in advancing agricultural research and development.

Ms Rolle emphasised the role of the tower in strengthening mutual cooperation in modern agricultural projects and research activities between FAO and PCCC.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2024