Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain says Department of Plant Protection will be upgraded on modern lines to ensure that its operations meet top quality benchmarks. He was talking to Director General of the Department Dr. Tariq Khan who called on him in Islamabad today. The Minister said the Plant Protection Department is highly significant in agriculture sector and it needs to be digitalized for more efficacy. He said efforts will be made to develop a comprehensive strategy to further improve the performance of the department. The Minister said strategy will also be formulated to improve the fumigation system and the number of fumigation companies will be further expanded. He said the registration system of pesticides will also be digitalized. Rana Tanveer Hussain said an effective system of timely inspection of rice and mango plants should be established. He said exporters will be provided with all possible facilities within law to boost exports but compromise on qua lity and standards will not be acceptable. He said the government has a strong commitment to increasing exports. On the occasion, the DG Plant Protection briefed the Minister on the department's functions, performance, and the challenges it faces. Source: Radio Pakistan