Speech by Mr. Mamnoon Hussain
President Islamic Republic Of Pakistan
On the Occasion of Commemorating 50 Years of Pakistan-US Cooperation in
Agriculture and
Celebrating Dr. Norman E. Borlaug’s 100th Birthday
(April 23, 2014)
Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem
Federal Minister for National Food Security& Research, Mr. Sikandar Hayat Bosan;
Federal Secretary Ministry of NFS & R, Mr. Seerat Asghar;
Ms. Jeanie Borlaugue Laube, Chair Borlaug Global Rust Initiative,
Mr Richard Olson, US Ambassador for Pakistan,
Mr. Tom Lumpkin, Director General CIMMYT
Chairman, PARC, Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad;
Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps,
Scientists;
Distinguished guests
Ladies & Gentlemen
Assalam-o-Alaikum
It is indeed a great pleasure for me to address this august Forum gathered here to commemorate 50 years of Pakistan-US Cooperation in Agriculture and to pay tribute to
Dr. Norman Borlaug for his scientific achievements and great services on his 100 th birthday.
While thanking the organizers for inviting me to this occasion I also felicitate them for commemorating these important events in a befitting manner.
On behalf of the people of Pakistan, its agricultural scientists and the farmer community,
I also extend a warm welcome to all of you.
Ladies & Gentlemen
Food Security has remained one of the major challenges for the world.
Even today, this issue continues to haunt many countries in various parts of the world.
There are many regions in the world where food scarcity still persists.
Therefore, it is imperative that food production, its affordability and its access is accorded high priority in the policy formulation process.
Ladies & Gentlemen
Pakistan in collaboration of its international partners - the CGIAR Consortium and its members
– is committed to mainstreaming our research efforts, particularly breeding for mineral and vitamin traits into conventional food crop development programs, for provision of sufficient and healthy food.
Ladies & Gentlemen
In Pakistan, wheat is the staple food crop. Its sustained production is crucial to feed more than 180 million inhabitants of Pakistan.
There is a need for greater investment in agricultural research as well as coordinated efforts of research partners in a country and across the globe.
The Borlaug Global Rust Initiative is commendable in its devotion to contain the threat of wheat rusts, mitigate the vulnerability of wheat areas across the world.
Ladies & Gentlemen

Dr. Norman Borlaug dedicated almost six decades to fight against world hunger through acceleration in agricultural productivity in the developing world.
His efforts with Pakistani agricultural researchers, , paved the paths for bringing “Green
Revolution” in Pakistan by introducing high yielding, white grain line named as
“Mexipak”.
Since then, one hundred thirty one wheat varieties have been developed by Pakistani researchers in close collaboration of International Wheat and Maize Improvement Centre and United States Department of Agriculture through various joint research endeavors.
These joint ventures between Pakistan and USA have a long history of agricultural cooperation that spans more than five decades.
The Government of Pakistan is committed to the development of Pakistan's agricultural sector and is working in close collaboration with US to improve productivity and food security, and to increase farmers' incomes and stimulate overall economic growth.
Ladies & Gentlemen
Various policy interventions by the Government have led to a major turnaround in the food production (wheat and other food grains) and achieving the objective of national food security.
I take this opportunity to reiterate that the Government attaches high priority to agriculture sector, which is the mainstay of the national economy.
The government is striving hard to make agriculture competitive and profitable through various policy interventions.
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research is in the process of finalizing the
National Food and Nutrition Security Policy for the country in consultation with the provincial governments.
The policy will ensure that all people of Pakistan have physical and economic access to enough nutritious food for an active and healthy life.
Ladies & Gentlemen
The efforts of USDA, CIMMYT, and PARC are commendable in hosting Dr. Borlaug’s daughter Dr. Jeanie Borlaug Laube and other distinguished guests in Pakistan to commemorate 50 years of Pak-US Cooperation in Agriculture at the occasion when the world is celebrating Dr. Norman E. Borlaug’s 100 th birthday.
I am pleased to note that during the course of this event in Islamabad and Faisalabad, activities will focus on highlighting the importance of on-going and future cooperation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Pakistan is aiming to develop better linkages with developed and developing countries to benefit from their experiences to enhance trade, investment, technological cooperation and mutual learning to ensure food security and eliminate poverty.
I am pleased to know that like other South Asian countries, Pakistan Agricultural
Research Council also laid t he foundation stone of Borlaug’s Institute at NARC
Islamabad.
At this important occasion, I announce that government of Pakistan will fully support this initiative to fulfill our commitment for the development of the agriculture sector of
Pakistan.
In the end, I would once again commend the efforts of the organizers of this event for paying tribute in a befitting manner to one of the greatest scientists who devoted his life to eliminate hunger from the world. While acknowledging US assistance to Pakistan in the agricultural sector I hope that this cooperation would further grow and strengthen with each passing day.
I thank you all.
Pakistan- Paindabad.

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