January 2007
Jan 30, Daily Times	Asia to drive growth of GMO crops in next 10 years In 2006, the first year of the second decade of biotech crops, India replaced China as the world's top grower of genetically modified (GMO) cotton, the pro-biotech International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) said. "The second decade will likely feature strong growth in Asia led by China, India and new countries like Pakistan and Vietnam,"
Jan 27, Daily Times	Policymakers yet to reach consensus on biotech crops Most of the initiatives being taken by different government organisations are working without any co-ordination due to which there are differences among the policymakers, which include the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL), the National Commission on Biotechnology (NCB) of Ministry of Science and Technology and Planning Commission (PC).
Jan 24, Business Recorder	Biotech crop under serious consideration The government is seriously consideration to adopt biotechnology crops in Pakistan by 2007, as more than 500,000 acres are presently under Bt-cotton
Jan 21, Daily Times	12.5m cotton bales output target fixed again The cotton production target has been slightly revised upwardly by the CCAC from 12.44 million bales to 12.50 million bales.The province-wise output target has been fixed as under: Punjab 10.1 million bales, Sindh 2.3 million bales, Balochistan and NWFP 0.1 million bales
Jan 21, The Post	Rs 8 Billion crop project being launched in 13,000 villages The minister said that Pakistan has signed an agreement with Argentina to import the best possible seven seed varieties of sunflower which will help to increase per acre yield of the commodity significantly. He said that the country has signed several agreements regarding the cultivation of BT cotton, which will open up new vistas of higher cotton yield, ultimately benefiting the farmers.
Jan 16, The post	15m cotton bales to be achieved by 2010 The government is adopting measures to achieve the production target of 15 million cotton bales by 2010 or even earlier as it is aware of the importance of this crop in the national economy. The Programme is aimed at evolving high-yielding and quality cotton varieties. The research establishments are also focusing upon hybrid cottons, extra long staple cotton and Bt. cotton, etc.
Jan 16, The Post	Pakistan has huge potential to produce bio diesel: AEDB Pakistan Railway has started plantation of bio-diesel plants on some of their locomotives on B10 (bio-diesel) between Peshawar and Rawalpindi on trial basis. The Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) introduced bio-diesel resources in Pakistan that could contribute much in country's energy demand. The Rs 5.275 million projects were started with an objective to identify bio-diesel resources in Pakistan.
Jan 11, The Post	Rs 55.17m for cotton cultivation in 2006-07 Punjab Agriculture Minister Arshad Khan Lodhi talking to reporters after presiding over high-level departmental meeting here on Wednesday, Mr Lodhi said the production of cotton during the period increased by 28 percent, rice 40.3 percent, wheat 11.3 percent and 212.6 percent record increase was noted in the production of maize. Replying to a question, he said Rs 55.170 million has been set-aside for the cultivation of cotton in secondary areas during 2006-07.
Jan 08, The Post	Govt. to acquire agri experts services The government will acquire the services of agriculture experts of world repute to achieve the international standard in the agriculture sector, an agriculture official said here on Sunday. Traditional farmers are being encouraged to adopt progressive farming techniques in order to increase agriculture output and cater for the food requirements of the country
Jan 08, The Nation	Adoption of BT Cotton in Pakistan Saying that "Cotton is an important cash crop for Pakistan" would be an understatement. It accounts for 8.2 per cent of the value added in the agriculture sector and about 2% to GDP, adds over $2.8 billion to the national economy. Livelihood of the millions of farmers and of those employed along the entire cotton value chain is dependent on this single crop.
Jan 07, Dawn	Achieving 12.5 m bales target looks tough The sudden fall in phutti arrivals into ginneries during the last fortnight (Dec 15, 2006 to Jan 1, 2007) has dashed the hopes of even achieving official production target of 12.5 million bales.The overall cotton output dropped by 1.45 per cent at 1.082 million bales compared to 1.246 million bales produced in the corresponding period last year.
Jan 06, Daily Times	Seminar on BT Cotton to be held in March The National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) will organise an international seminar on BT cotton for small-scale farmers starting from March 4 till 6 in Faisalabad. According to an NIBGE spokes man Friday, participants from 65 countries including African cotton growing counties will attend the moot.
Jan 06, Daily Times	Cotton import thru Wagah for long term: MINFAL rejects APTMA demand The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) has opposed the demand of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) to open Wagah border on a permanent basis for cotton import from India, a senior government official told Daily Times.
Jan 05, The post	First Pak BT cotton variety to be released "The insect-resistant cotton variety, IRFH-901 developed by the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) Faisalabad is all set to become the first home-grown variety for commercial cultivation in the country," said Agriculture Development Commissioner Dr. Qadir Bux Baloch.