Zinc-Fortified Wheat Varieties Introduced in Pakistan

APP

Faisalabad: Pakistan has achieved a wheat production of 28.98 million tons, securing the 7th position globally, as agricultural scientists of the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) have successfully developed 715 new climate-resilient varieties of wheat, vegetables, pulses, fodder, and fruits.

Chief Scientist Wheat Research Institute (WRI) Dr. Javed Ahmad shared these details while briefing a delegation from the Goth Singhar Foundation, Khairpur Sindh, at AARI on Friday.

He said the newly introduced varieties can withstand heat and water scarcity, generating an estimated annual benefit of more than Rs. 200 billion for the national agriculture sector.

He added that AARI scientists would conduct 83 experiments this year, focusing on wheat improvement and other agricultural domains.

Dr. Ahmad cautioned farmers against traditional practices such as using household seeds, which often reduce yields, and urged them to adopt certified seeds to boost per-acre production at lower costs.

Highlighting sustainable practices, he stressed balanced fertilizer use and promoted bio-fertilizers, which restore soil fertility, cut input costs, improve yields, and help reduce environmental pollution.

He underlined that wheat, which contributes more than 80% of Pakistan’s total production from Punjab, remains central to the country’s food security, urging farmers to follow research-based recommendations to adapt to climate change challenges.

Director Headquarters Research Dr. Qurban Ali said that private seed companies, Punjab Seed Corporation, and agriculture extension officers must ensure the timely transfer of AARI’s modern production technologies to farmers.

He noted that last year, AARI supplied 350,000 tons of pre-basic seed of new wheat varieties, leading to record productivity in Punjab, where progressive farmers harvested over 80 maunds per acre in competitions.

Deputy Director Dr. Saeed-ur-Rehman informed that AARI has so far introduced 92 wheat varieties, including Akbar-2019, Pakistan’s first zinc-fortified variety with 41 ppm zinc, along with zinc-rich varieties such as Nawab-22 and Zincol.

Meanwhile, Director Agricultural Information Faisalabad Dr. Asif Ali urged farmers to prioritize certified seed of newly approved varieties such as Falak-2024, Sawera-2024, Urooj-2022, Durum-2021, Dilkash-2020, Bhakkar Star, Fakhar-e-Bhakkar, Nawab, Nishan, and Akbar-2019, along with barley varieties Pearl-2021, Jo-2021, and Talbina.

He added that under the National Project for Enhancing Crop Production, the Punjab government is providing tractors, solar tube wells, agricultural machinery, certified seeds, weed control solutions, and pesticides through the Kisan Card scheme.

To promote sustainable practices, farmers in rice-growing areas are being facilitated with Happy Seeders to incorporate rice stubbles into the soil instead of burning them, which not only improves soil fertility but also reduces environmental hazards.

“With the adoption of these new varieties and technologies, Pakistan can significantly improve yields of wheat and other crops while strengthening national food security,” Dr. Asif Ali added.

The visiting delegation was led by Chairman Ali Muhammad and included SO Technical Ubaidullah Khan, Assistant Naik Muhammad, Ali Murad, Kamran Hussain Cheena, Sharafat Ali, Mumtaz Tabassum Shar, Zahid Hussain, and Musho Ali Dahar.