Islamabad: A national forum and stakeholders consultation meeting of PlantwisePlus programme was held at CABI-Regional Bioscience Centre, Rawalpindi. This platform is a consortium of key federal and provincial agriculture bodies who are involved in agriculture research, development and advisory services and mainly focuses on CABI’s flagship Plant wise and PlantwisePlus programs. It is important to mention that MoUs with all the provincial agricultural departments have been signed to extend the collaboration for smooth implementation of activities across the provinces.
Dr Babar Bajwa-Senior Regional Director CABI-Asia welcomed the participants and presented the CABI’s midterm strategy and goals for 2023 where he highlighted the thematic areas in which CABI is interested in working along with partners. Mr. Abdul Rehman, Deputy Director Projects & Research briefed about the CABI’s expertise in digital development. The CABI Academy brings together CABI’s expertise in crop health, agricultural advisory services and digital development to create a range of online training courses and certifications that develop and build plant health skills.
Dr. Naeem Aslam, CABI Country Coordinator PlantwisePlus programme presented the journey of Plant wise since its inception in 2012-till date and explained how successfully an extensive network of Plant clinics across Pakistan is working and providing advisory and diagnostic services to farming communities. Mr. Ayaz Keerio-PlantwisePlus Implementation Manager narrated that this forum brings together all key stakeholders to evaluate PlantwisePlus programme’s progress and boost membership cooperation.
Participants also highlight their potential contribution and support for PlantwisePlus programme of CABI. Dr. Imtiaz Hussain, Member Incharge (Plant Sciences Division) and Dr. Falak Naz, Member Incharge (Coordination & Monitoring Division) represented Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and said that they are keen to liaison among CABI and other provincial partners for implementation of PlantwisePlus programme.
