CIMMYT and AARI Cooperation Boosts Wheat Production in Pakistan

(By Zafar Chishti, Bureau Chief Punjab Pakistan)
FAISALABAD: Pakistan’s decades-long partnership with the international agricultural research organization CIMMYT has played a pivotal role in transforming wheat production while more than 60 varieties developed by local scientists since 1960 and fresh collaboration are now focusing on modernizing research, strengthening mechanization and advancing the country towards agricultural self-sufficiency.A high-level delegation of agricultural scientists from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) led by Dr. Andrew Flavio, Director of CIMMYT’s Global Wheat Program has visited the Wheat Research Institute Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad on Tuesday to review ongoing research initiatives and explore avenues for further strengthening scientific cooperation in wheat improvement.
Director General Agricultural Research Punjab Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman and Chief Scientist Wheat Dr. Javed Ahmad briefed the visiting scientists on ongoing agricultural research in Punjab and wheat varieties introduced through collaboration with the international organization.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman highlighted the contribution of Pakistani agricultural scientists and said that more than 60 wheat varieties had been developed and introduced since 1960 to improve crop productivity and meet the country’s growing food requirements.
These varieties include Mexi-Pak, Inqilab, Sehar, Punjab-2006, Faisalabad-2008, Akbar, Galaxy, Dilkash, Bhakkar Star, Fakhr-e-Bhakkar, Nawab, Sivera and Falak which reflect the strenuous efforts of local researchers to develop wheat germplasm suited to agricultural conditions of the country.A seminar was also organized during this visit which brought together AARI scientists and progressive farmers to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in wheat research.The discussions focused on introducing further innovations in wheat improvement, strengthening scientific collaboration and promoting the use of modern agricultural machinery at different stages of crop production from sowing to harvesting.
The participants exchanged views on how mechanization and improved research practices could enhance efficiency of wheat experiments, improve crop management and help growers to achieve better yields.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Andrew Flavio said that CIMMYT had been collaborating with Pakistan since the 1960s to increase wheat productivity and improve per-acre yields.He highlighted the importance of international scientific cooperation particularly the transfer of germplasm and its use in crossing programs with locally developed varieties.
He said that introduction of improved wheat varieties through transfer of international germplasm and its incorporation into local breeding programs had helped pave way for Pakistan’s first Green Revolution which significantly strengthened wheat production capacity of the country.The CIMMYT delegation also highlighted the provision of valuable modern machinery worth millions of rupees to all 13 research centers working on wheat in Pakistan. The equipment is expected to improve research capabilities, facilitate scientific experimentation and support the development of more productive wheat varieties, Dr. Andrew Flavio added.