International Workshop

IPM, ISLAMABAD, 1999

The Workshop on Integrated Pest Management of Agricultural Pests for OIC Member Countries in Asia was held during 8 - 11 March 1999. It was sponsored by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Jeddah., Dr. A. Q. Khan Research Laboratories and Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Government of Pakistan.

The invitations for participation were sent to 19 countries including Brunei Darussalam, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Jordan, Kyrghzstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan. Out of these, Bangladesh, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and Kyrghzstan sent their country papers and consented to attend the Workshop. However, delegates from Egypt, Jordan and Kyrghzstan could not attend the Workshop.

The participants presented country papers on the status of Integrated Pest Management in their countries. In addition to these Dr. A. I. Mohyuddin, Dr. Ghulam Jilani and Mr. Mohammad Irshad presented lead papers from Pakistan. Although the nominees from Egypt, Jordan and Kyrghzstan could not participate in the Workshop, however papers submitted by them have been included in the Proceedings.

The delegates presented their national programmes and the difficulties faced in IPM research and its implementation. It was recognized during discussions that the motto of "development without destruction" must be followed by strengthening IPM research and development programmes at the regional level with concerted efforts of the member countries. Recommendations made and unanimously adopted, included sharing of knowledge, materials and expertise, issuance of a periodic newsletter, development of skilled manpower by organizing national and regional training programmes and identifying national focal points in each country to develop a network. It was decided that to achieve these goals, a nucleus project is needed for cooperation, support and finance on various activities of the network. Mr. Wasim Sajjad, Chairman Pakistan Senate delivered the Inaugural Address; Dr. Zafar Altaf Secretary Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock presented keynote address and Dr. A. I. Mohyuddin welcomed the delegates and participants.

The representative of IDB could not attend the Workshop. However, the message sent by IDB was read by Dr. Anwar Naseem, Adviser Science COMSTECH. Dr. A. Q. Khan, Chairman, Dr. A. Q. Khan Research Laboratories could not attend the Workshop because of other commitments. However, he sent paper on "Present Status and Future Prospects of Science and Technology in the Islamic World." It is included in the Proceedings of the Workshop.

The draft of a project proposal on research and development for Integrated Pest Management in OIC member countries was prepared and was approved by the delegates for submission to the donor agencies including IDB. Seven foreign and seventeen local delegates participated in the Workshop. The Concluding Session was chaired by Dr. Abdul Hafiz, former Director of the FAO of United Nations. He also gave certificates to the participants. He pointed out the importance of pushing R & D IPM programmes and gave a successful example of the FAO Near East regional project on field food crops, which brought green revolution in wheat and some other crops. Coming together at this forum was the beginning and to work together will of course be success.