Islamabad, December 15, 2006, 10:00 – 11:30 hrs

Background:

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF), a joint initiative of the Ministry of Finance and USAID and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) states that the two will partner to support initiatives to promote knowledge-based agribusiness development and ensure long-term growth in agriculture sector. These programs will complement existing projects of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council.
Historically, the research at Pakistan’s institutions has been purely academic, with little focus on applied research. Over the last few years, the PARC and concerned institutions have had success investing in research and development resulting in marked increases in the number of research papers and international articles published by Pakistani academics. However, during the design of the CSF concept, a lacks of linkages between local industry and academia were identified as one of the major obstacles stifling innovation and research-based growth in Pakistan. One of CSF’s main objectives, therefore, is to develop and support linkages between academia and industry for knowledge-based enterprise development which is the base of the long-term economic growth in Pakistan.
The Memorandum of Understanding also states:

• PARC and CSF will undertake joint reviews of various research projects being undertaken by PARC with a view to identify research areas for commercial benefits.
• Both parties will identify priority areas in consultation with the stakeholders including the government, private sector, researchers and academia in the agriculture sector.
• An action plan for co-financing technical assistance for selected agriculture projects will also be developed.
• To ensure successful and timely completion of the projects and programs, a Monitoring and Evaluation system will be developed jointly by PARC and CSF, which will include a Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (MEC).
• The MEC will comprise of 8-10 members, including representation of PARC, CSF and members from the private sector and academia.  USAID as one of the principal donors of CSF will be an observer on the MEC.
• CSF will also support PARC in creating linkages with the relevant industries and will lead the research in the areas of livestock and dairy development, development of agriculture technologies with emphasis on post harvest technologies and value addition.
• The development of improved quality fruits, vegetables and cut flowers with a focus on value chains will also be considered.
• To further generate innovative ideas and cooperation in the agriculture sector, CSF and  PARC will provide technical assistance by engaging foreign experts to support and initiate programs that promote the creation of knowledge-based enterprises in Pakistan.