Dr. Christian Brecht, Consul General and Mrs. Gudrun Haider, Vice Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany at Karachi, visited the Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization (ISHU), University of Karachi on March 30, 2010. He was briefed about the ongoing activities and shown around the Institute by the director- Dr. M.Ajmal Khan. The Consul General was impressed by the facilities available here for research and by the work being done including the efforts on gainful utilization of halophytes- plants of saline environments, for use as animal fodder, edible oil, medicines, biofuel/bio-diesel etc. Dr. H-W. Koyro from Justus-Leibig University, Germany, visiting ISHU under a bilateral collaboration between Pakistan and Germany was also present on the occasion. Dr. Brecht was pleased to know that this programme is helping in promoting close relationship between the scientists of our two countries.

The Consul General was told that research on the use of halophytes as animal fodder is complete in all respects covering aspects of growing the target plant species in the field and conducting animal feeding trials and that an application for patenting the system has been filed. Appreciating these efforts, Dr. Brecht offered to use his good office in trying to help develop liaison between the University and relevant parties for adopting this research on commercial scale.