Islamabad, January 10, 2018 (PPI-OT):Agricultural Engineering Institute, NARC/PARC of Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS and R), Islamabad has developed advanced Ispaghol processing machinery first time in Pakistan. It has up-to two tons/day Ispaghol processing capacity and 0.5 ton of good quality husk /day in single shift (free of chemicals and impurities).
PARC organized a national seminar on indigenous Ispaghol processing machinery at Hasilpur, Bahawalpur. Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Honourable Federal Minister for Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Islamabad was the Chief Guest at the occasion. Mr. Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination also participated the event. Demonstration of Ispaghol machinery also conducted at the occasion. Farmers, Processors, Multinational Companies, Chamber of Commerce, Line Departments and Parliamentarians attended the seminar and machinery demonstration.
Mr. Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research and Mr. Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination hailed scientists for Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) for developing Ispaghol processing machine, saying it would help to improve earnings of the poor people of Thar and Cholistan deserts.
Both the Ministers also witnessed the working of the three-stage plant and appreciated its working after PARC scientists informed them that it has the capacity to process 400 Kilogram of Ispaghol per hour. Bosan said that Ispaghol is a medicinal plant and it is grown on 3000 acre area in Cholistan and Thar deserts. However, farmers were not getting proper price of their production. He said that availability of local processing facility would enhance importance of local Ispaghol production which would benefit both farmers and traders who would be able to market Ispaghol for good profit. He also said that there would be a time soon when Pakistan would be exporting Ispaghol
Mr. Riaz Hussain Pirzada said that agriculture is the backbone of the national economy and 43 per cent of the country labour force is associated with agriculture. He admired the efforts of PARC scientists on developing advanced Ispaghol Processing Machinery first time in Pakistan. While addressing to the participants, Dr. Yusuf Zafar, Chairman, PARC said that PARC is an important Organization of the Pakistan and is serving the nation since last 40 years.
PARC is also benefiting the farmers through its new innovations and research. He said that through Ispaghol Machinery, farmers of South Punjab and Sindh will be the beneficiary of this product. Farmers of Cholistan and Thar will also take benefit from this innovation. Dr. Zafar also requested to the Federal Minister for M/o NFS and R for announcement of subsidy and special package by the Govt. of Pakistan for the farmers of Ispaghol Cultivation for their encouragement.
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