Minister Nazar Muhammad Gondal announced the creation of the Grain Quality Testing Laboratory (GQTL) at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) on Monday.

Speaking to scientists at the inauguration ceremony of GQTL at NARC, he emphasised that the move was to be a fundamental part of the Pakistani Food Quality and Nutrition Programme.

The aims of the lab will be to ensure grain meets export and import standards for public and private sectors and enhance grain quality through research, quality testing and employer training.

One of the key demands cited by Gondal was the compliance with the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) which Pakistan was currently falling foul of.

He added that in spite of producing finest quality agricultural products, Pakistan had been unable to compete in the international markets through several rejections of national export consignments due to quality and SPS non-compliance.

Gondal surmised: "I would advise scientists to help modernise our agriculture which is the mainstay of Pakistan's economy."