ISLAMABAD  - National Agriculture Research Council on Monday launched commemorative postage stamp on 100th birthday year of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug who is known as father of green revolution.
Federal Minister for Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan on the occasion while paying tribute to Dr Norman said that scientists, media and extension workers play their role for transfer of new knowledge and innovations among farmers. He also appreciated the support of USDA and CIMMYT to Pakistan agriculture sector development.
He said in Pakistan, wheat is the most important crop and its increased productivity is largely due to the development of high-yielding cultivars and fertilizer use. Dr. Norman led the introduction of high yielding wheat varieties combined with modern agricultural production techniques to Mexico, Pakistan and other South Asia countries. By 1969-70, most of Pakistani wheat farmers had adopted the new varieties. This trend of increasing wheat production was further improved in the later years through following the legacy of Dr. Borlaug by the wheat scientists and they continued to introduce high yielding varieties. Resultantly this led to record production of about 25.3 million tons during 2014.
He said this year is being celebrated as the 100th birthday year of Dr Norman E. Borlaug. During this year, PARC in collaboration with its international partners USDA and CIMMYT organised a series of events to highlight the significant achievements of the late Nobel Laureate and also hosted Jennie Borlaug, the daughter of Norman Borlaug during these events. Declaration of "Borlaug Avenue" and Unveiling of "Borlaug Institute for South Asia" at NARC are glimpses of that visit. Today event also a reflection of respect of commemorative postal stamp by the Government of Pakistan bears testimony to it. Borlaug always advocated increased investment in research and education and present government is offering its fullest possible support to strengthen the research system in the country.
Seerat Asghar, Federal Secretary of Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) said the issuance of postage stamps is a special tribute and compliment that the people and the Government of Pakistan are paying to a special person who is known as "Father of Green Revolution" at the occasion of his 100th birthday year. He said Dr. Borlaug worked with indefatigable energy to fight against hunger and malnutrition. Now, we are again facing challenges of not only providing food for more than 180 million population but also to ensure its accessibility and affordability.  
He said nature has gifted us all natural resources but still there exists a gap in productivity of various crops and the attainable production. Efforts are needed to accelerate the pace of agriculture development with same commitment and dedication that Dr. Borlaug exhibited when the whole world witnessed a green revolution.
He further said successful life is better than wasted mortality. Every scientist has the responsibility to contribute in his field with the resources available with him.
Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) said today celebration is a story of science, knowledge, innovations and hardworking to reduce hunger. With the Borlaug's work legacy today Pakistan is self-sufficient in wheat and the new wheat varieties introduced have contributed 7 times increased over 1960 wheat production.
131 wheat varieties have been developed and released for commercial cultivation in the twelve wheat production zones of the country since 1964. This year Pakistan achieved record wheat production of 25.3 million tons. Continuation of research on wheat persistent in Pakistan is a legacy of Dr. Borlaug, I remember the quote of Dr. Borlaug that "Rust never sleeps" and I must appreciate the wheat scientists for combating the rust menace and breeding the rust resistant varieties. Let us congratulate our wheat breeders for introducing 19 rust resistant varieties since 2009 and this is a tribute to Borlaug.
He said there are still investments needed in agricultural research and strengthening of research institutions to improve agriculture sector. We should learn from the lesson of Dr. Borlaug. Research results should reach at all communities of Pakistan for better results.