Time ripe to move from green to gene revolution

STAFF REPORT ISLAMABAD: Time has come to move from green revolution to gene revolution and agriculture scientists need to conduct rigorous research on genetic diversity on Pakistan’s major crops like wheat, rice and cotton in order to produce disease resistant and high yielding variety of the crops.

“Scientists and researchers in the country are focusing on devising strategies to increase wheat and cotton yield in situation as it would help a lot in overcoming the food shortage in the country,” said PARC Chairman Dr Mohammad Afzal during a detailed presentation on "overall review of agricultural research activities with emphasis on cotton and wheat" at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

He said that the country is facing the growing challenges of increased population, reduced water availability and deteriorating soil health in the country.

He also explained about the new technologies and innovations in farming, hybrid seeds development, Pakistan China collaborative projects in drip irrigation and hybrid cotton and wheat and other ongoing and planned projects of the PARC.

The PARC chief said that research is a basic pillar of agriculture development and we are giving priority to the development of high yielding and disease resistant hybrid cotton, wheat, and rice to cope with the surging food demand with the increasing population of the country.

According him, the Agricultural Ministry and PARC on the same page in follow the concept of modernised farming and develop plans for helping the small and fragile farmers.

http://www.technologytimes.pk/mag/2011/feb11/issue01/time_ripe_to_move.php