Agreement signed to introduce insect protection technology
By Tariq Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD—The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Monsanto Company (USA) to expand cotton production in Pakistan through introducing Monsanto derived insect-protection technology “Bollgard.”
Secretary Minfal Muhammad Zia-ur-Rehman and Monsanto Company Asia Pacific Vice President Andre Dias Tuesday inked an agreement in this regard.
On the occasion Secretary Minfal said the agreement provides an opportunity for introduction of Bt. Cotton varieties in Pakistan on mutually agreed arrangements. He said that LoI defines in general the basis for the parties to extend cooperation to advance transgenic technology in agriculture sector of Pakistan.
Under the agreement both parties will pursue collaborative efforts to evaluate, develop and implement practical solutions to expand cotton production in Pakistan through the commercialization of Bt. technology in the country, he added. This is a joint effort between Minfal and Monsanto Company to evaluate potential collaboration in cotton and also other crops to provide information and education regarding the safety and benefits of the technology to the Pakistani farmers, he informed.
This will also help to develop business models and market services to achieve the parties objectives and meet the Pakistan cotton industry’s needs to build a long-term strategy to innovate and expand agriculture production in the country, the Secretary said.
Monsanto Company Asia Pacific Vice President, Andre Dias said that Monsanto is a leading global provider of transgenic technology-based tools and agricultural products that have successfully improved farm productivity.
He said that Monsanto has developed high-yielding cotton germplasm and biotech traits that provide cotton plants with in-plant protection against certain agricultural pests which reduced the utilization of pesticide and increase the per acre yield of the crop.
The technologies of Monsanto that has benefit world could also help Pakistan to benefit its farmers in income generation and poverty alleviation, he added.