HYDERABAD:The management of Sindh Agriculture University recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with authorities of the United Bank Limited (UBL) to initiate a research project for development of improved cotton and wheat seed varieties.
The university spokesman informed here on Monday that under this project, university experts will develop new commodity, pure and climate-resilient seeds of wheat and cotton, which will significantly improve crop yields and enhance the income of the agricultural sector of Sindh province.
In this regard, wheat sowing was inaugurated in the Latif Experimental Farm of the University with joint cooperation of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics and Seed Production and Development Center.
The Vice Chancellor Dr. Fateh Marri and Head of South Zone of Rural Banking of UBL Arif Ali Shah jointly inaugurated the wheat sowing event.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice Chancellor said that due to recent floods, the farmers could face hardship in achieving wheat production targets following lack of availability of pure seeds in the province particularly in flood hit areas.
He said that Sindh Agriculture University in collaboration with government and private institutions has been engaged in supporting the deserving farmers and in this regard research work on certified seed has been started under the MoU signed with UBL.
He said that due to increasing population, there were fears and threats of food shortage in future. The experts from many countries have embarked on a new direction of research to increase the production per acre, he said and added that with the support of UBL, the varsity scientists are carrying out research on expansion of certified wheat and cotton seeds and new commodities for agricultural development and food security.
Among others, Dean Dr. Syed Ghiyasuddin Shah Rashidi, Dean Dr. Altaf Siyal, Dean Dr. Inayatullah Rajpar, Dean Dr. Manzoor Ali Abro, Chairman of High-Power Farm Committee Dr. Mujahid Hussain Laghari, Director Seed Production and Development Centre Dr. Zahoor Hussain Soomro, Chairman Plant Breeding and Genetics Dr. Shahnawaz Marri, Dr. Aijaz Soomro, Dr. Munir Mangrio, Director Farms Jakhro Mumtaz Ali and Area Manager (RB) UBL Ghulam Hussain Wagan were also present on the occasion.