Islamabad: (Parliament Times) Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Federal Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) Government of Pakistan with the support of USDA, WPEP, CIMMYT and other national & international development partners has organized a Travelling Wheat Seminar (TWS) 2017 in two parts. The first part stared on 3rd March, 2017 from NIA, Tandojam, Hyderabad and ended on 15th March, 2017 in Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad. The second part started 2nd April, 2017 from Islamabad and concluded on 6th April, 2017 at 11:00am in National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Chak Shahzad, Park Road, Islamabad.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Dr. Yusuf Zafar (T.I) said that this is one of the most important activity which enhances collaboration among National Agricultural Research System (NARS) partners. It provides an environment of exchange of ideas and learning for the participants. It helps young scientists to learn from experienced breeders and other senior scientists. Chairman PARC said that we are also planning to start Sugarcane, Pulses and Corn crop travelling seminars like this one. He said that agriculture is the back bone of this country and we have to work hard for its development and betterment. He urged that we are organizing this event with the collaboration of USAID and it’s my wish that may we could run it by ourselves as per international standards. He said that there must be some recommendations in labs for betterment. He said that Kaghan station again handed over to PARC and we will use it to provide our services for summer Agriculture.
On this occasion Dr. Mohammad Imtiaz, Representative CIMMYT-Pakistan, Dr. Ghulam Mohammad Ali, Ex-Member (PSD) addressed and highlighted various aspects related to higher prices of agri inputs, water shortage, marketing problem, wheat diseases, disease free new varieties, certified seed and other problems of farmers.
Dr. Attiq ur Rehman Rattu, National Coordinator (Wheat) said in his address that Smooth sharing of experience between agriculture scientists and farmers will become main hub for development of agriculture. Travelling wheat seminar is advantageous to enhance wheat production in country. He said that wheat production is more in Punjab than Sindh however Sindh have huge land still not in used properly. He also mentioned that Wheat crop faced decline due to climate change. He said that we also found more yellow rust in hot weather areas, so we have to work hard for development of agriculture sector by implementing right planning and better seed quality. Over all we have to keep an eye on the overall process.
