We need to promote high yield varieties of wheat to replace old and disease susceptible varieties. This was said by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Syed Fakhar Imam while chairing a meeting on increasing wheat production on Wednesday. He was briefed by Country Representative of International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Dr. M. Imtiaz. Syed Fakhar Imam was of the point of view that there must be a breakthrough in wheat production in the country. The scientists should work harder. Federal Minister said that there is a need to strengthen the seed system value chain.
He believed that we need to choose the best suitable wheat variety & follow timely planting. He reiterated to establish dedicated trials to capture yield potential. He was of the point of view that wheat crop should be managed with optimum inputs (fertilizer, irrigation water, herbicides and fungicides) for maximum yield .There is a dire need to promote use of farm machinery - adopting line sowing, use zero tillage and surface seeding technologies to reduce cultivation cost & minimize risk due to shattering, threshing - no comprise on yield .Syed Fakhar Imam said that proper storage practices should be followed to avoid post-harvest losses.
On the other hand Dr. M. Imtiaz discussed potential strategy for increasing wheat productivity. The strategy involved three factors, including, fast increase of seed of new varieties, closing the yield gap and grain minimum price. New wheat varieties contribute 50% to productivity single handedly. Pakistani farmers are growing 8-10 years old varieties which cause a 50% yield gap. Wheat Productivity Enhancement Programme (WPEP) and Agricultural Innovation Programme for Pakistan (AIP) interventions had a positive impact on productivity and increased wheat yield from 12% to 40%, aiding to a food secure future.
CIMMYT’s has trained 10 thousand farmers on quality wheat seed production and marketing, for a sustainable local seed system strengthening.CIMMYT initiated Seed banks with NRSP, 7 are active in Bhakkar, P.D Khan, Gujjar Khan, Chakwal, Attock, Mirpur Khas and Swabi.It supported them with newly released varieties, seed graders and trainings on seed production. From these seed banks, local farmers are getting quality seeds with 11% lower prices than the market and thus contributing to increase in wheat productivity/production.
Less than 60% wheat is grown in cotton-wheat and rice wheat systems both of which delay sowing and expose wheat to the terminal heat stress and to rust attack resulting in low yield.ere is need to discourage/ban wheat sowing after Mid-December and replace with other short duration corps. Imtiaz also briefed Minister about impact of WPEP on Pakistan Wheat Improvement/Research. WPEP is involved in technical backstopping activities, up-gradation of research facilities including mechanization and IT equipment and human resource and its capacity building, including and facilitate coordination.
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