FAISALABAD:Chief Scientist Wheat Research Institute (WRI) Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad Dr Javed Ahmad said that AARI had planned to conduct 93 experiments across major research disciplines to develop improved crop varieties and technologies for the country’s food security.
Addressing a meeting held at AARI for ‘Annual Research Planning Program for Wheat 2026-27′, he unveiled the research priorities while briefing agricultural experts, scientists, farmers’ organizations and representatives of private seed and fertilizer companies.
Dr Ismatullah Turan Director Agriculture Research Institute Quetta attended the meeting as chief guest.
Presenting the institute’s research achievements and future strategy, Dr Javed Ahmad said that wheat research program would cover breeding, plant pathology, entomology, agronomy and cereal technology, with particular emphasis on developing high-yielding varieties capable of withstanding heat and diseases and meeting emerging agricultural challenges.
He said that eight to nine advanced wheat lines, two to three durum wheat lines and three to four barley lines would be provided for National Uniform Yield Trials during the upcoming research year.
Similarly, one advanced line each of wheat, barley and durum wheat was at the final stage of approval, reflecting the institute’s continued efforts to strengthen the national crop improvement program, he added.
Dr Javed Ahmad said that Wheat Research Institute AARI was largest center for wheat research of the country, tracing its origins to the establishment of the Cereal Section at Lyallpur in 1906. It was granted the status of a full-fledged institute in 1975, he added.
He highlighted the institute’s historic contribution to Pakistan’s Green Revolution, saying its research had played a pivotal role in developing high-yielding wheat varieties with improved resistance to heat and diseases, helping significantly increase wheat production in Punjab.
He cited several varieties developed through the institute’s research program including Mexipak-65, Chenab-70, Inqilab-91, Sehar-06, Faisalabad-08, Galaxy-13, Anaj-17, Haider-93, Durum-97, Urooj-22, Talbina-21, Pearl-21 and Durum-26.
Highlighting progress over the past five years, he said that seven new wheat varieties including Dilkash-20, Subhani-21, MH-21, Urooj-22, Falak-24, Saira-24 and Rizq-26 had been released, alongside two barley varieties including Jau-21 and Talbina-21, and two durum wheat varieties including Durum-21 and Durum-26. He also mentioned Pearl-21 in the institute’s research portfolio.
Emphasizing the nutritional dimension of wheat research, Dr Javed Ahmad said that biofortified varieties were being developed to help address micronutrient deficiencies among consumers.
Akbar-19 and Rizq-26 were identified as zinc-enriched varieties containing 38 and 40 parts per million (ppm) of zinc respectively, offering potential nutritional benefits alongside agricultural productivity, he added.
The meeting also featured detailed technical presentations on different aspects of wheat and cereal research, providing an overview of ongoing projects, recent progress and proposed research strategies for the next agricultural year.
Senior Scientist Muhammad Owais and Principal Scientist Dr Muhammad Ibrahim Khan briefed the participants about wheat breeding, seed production, ongoing projects and emerging strategies for crop improvement.
Scientific Officer Ahmad Kamal presented findings relating to wheat agronomy while Principal Scientist Dr Faisal Hafeez discussed harmful insect pests affecting wheat and measures for their control.
Principal Scientist Dr Muhammad Makki Javed outlined research on wheat disease management and presented the performance report of Wheat Research Substation Murree.
Scientific Officer Iqra Ghafoor reviewed progress in durum wheat research while Principal Scientist Muhammad Ilyas Khokhar shared developments in barley research.
Principal Scientist Muhammad Abdullah discussed cereal technology and its role in improving crop-related practices and production systems.
The presentations enabled researchers and other stakeholders to review the institute’s research priorities across the crop production cycle, from the development and multiplication of improved seed to agronomic management, pest control, disease prevention and post-harvest cereal technologies.
A number of distinguished agricultural experts and institutional representatives attended the meeting including former Wheat Specialist Mujahid Qureshi, former Chief Scientist Wheat Dr Makhdoom Hussain, former Chief Scientist Durum Dr Aziz-ur-Rehman, Principal Scientific Officer at National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Islamabad Dr Muhammad Fayyaz, Assistant Professor at Government College Women University Faisalabad (GCWUF) Dr Irfana Lal Rukh, Professor Plant Breeding at University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Dr Muhammad Kashif, Associate Professor Dr Rizwana Maqbool, Assistant Professor Dr Raheela, Principal of Agricultural College Sargodha Dr Ijaz Rasool Noor Ka, Director Oilseeds Research Institute Faisalabad Dr Hafiz Bashir Ahmad and Director Agricultural Information Faisalabad Dr Asif Ali.
The participation of researchers, farmers’ organizations and private-sector representatives provided an opportunity to discuss research needs and strengthen coordination among institutions involved in developing improved crop varieties and agricultural technologies.
Later, former Wheat Specialist Mujahid Qureshi appreciated the institute’s research efforts and stressed the need to introduce further innovation in wheat research to safeguard national food security.
He underscored the importance of sustained scientific advancement in wheat production, a strategic crop for Pakistan, and called for continued efforts to improve varieties and research outcomes in response to the country’s agricultural and nutritional needs.