FAISALABAD: A 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 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.