Government approves bio-pesticide policy to promote sustainable farming
Published on: January 25, 2024.
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Minister for National Food Security and Research, Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik, announced on Wednesday that the draft regulations of the bio-pesticides policy have been finalized and will soon be presented to the federal cabinet for approval. The purpose of this policy is to encourage the use of bio-pesticides in Pakistan.
Dr Malik explained that the use of bio-pesticides will help address the problems associated with aflatoxin and make local agricultural products more resilient, enabling them to compete in the international market. This announcement was made during a high-level dialogue on regulatory harmonization in Pakistan for Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) and bio-pesticides. The event was organized by the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and CABI.
The Minister acknowledged that the presence of mycotoxin elements in agricultural exports from Pakistan has put the country under regulatory pressure. By promoting the use of bio-pesticides, the government hopes to overcome these challenges and reduce dependence on expensive fertilizers that require costly inputs like electricity and gas.
Dr Malik emphasized that there is a high demand for organic agricultural products globally, and adopting bio-pesticide technology can help increase the output of organic crops while also addressing climate change-related threats.
The Minister commended the efforts of development partners and agencies like USAID, USDA, PARC, and CABI in improving the agriculture sector. Collaboration between these organizations will play a crucial role in developing a modern agriculture model in Pakistan.
During the event, Dr Tariq Khan, Director of the Department of Plant Protection, provided an update on the progress of the bio-pesticide regulation process. He mentioned that the process began in 20120 and a bio-pesticide policy has been finalized, awaiting approval. Capacity building for regulatory oversight is also underway to ensure the effective implementation of the policy.
Additionally, the Department of Plant Protection is working with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Ministry of Commerce, and other organizations to address the issue of aflatoxin and remove obstacles that hinder local export consignments.
Jessica Mudjitaba-Fernandez, Program Manager of USDA, expressed their full support for promoting and developing the agriculture sector in Pakistan. The United States Department of Agriculture is collaborating with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to promote organic agriculture and improve the output of agricultural products.
CABI’s Project Director, Dr Sabyan Faris, shared that their organization has conducted extensive studies on aflatoxin and bio-pest control in collaboration with USAID and USDA. They have also initiated a public-private partnership in 2018 and conducted numerous training sessions benefiting over 1,539 farmers. These efforts aim to mitigate the impact of chemical pesticides and promote the use of bio-pesticides to enhance local agricultural output.
Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman of PARC, praised the stakeholders’ efforts in addressing the negative impact of aflatoxin. He stated that the implementation of bio-pesticide and seed policies will help resolve issues and challenges in the agriculture sector, ultimately leading to increased output of crops like wheat, maize, and rice.
Source: [Daily Times](https://dailytimes.com.pk)
