Agricultural Engineering Institute (AEI), NARC has designed a multi-crop precision planter for regenerative agriculture. The demonstration ceremony was held at NARC. Honourable Syed Fakhar Imam, Federal Minister for M/o NFS&R along-with Mr. Shibli Faraz Federal Minster for M/o Science & Technology attended this ceremony. Dr.Akmal Siddiq Technical Advisor to Minister for NFS&R, Dr. Hamid Jalil, Member Planning Commission, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali Chairman PARC and Dr. Syed Hussain Abidi Chairman PCSIR were also present.
Honourable Federal Minister for NFS&R Syed Fakhar Imam said that sustainable agriculture cannot be possible without a complete package of agricultural machinery. Under regenerative agriculture, the crop is suggested to grow on permanent raised beds under mulch conditions, this not only saves 50% water, but also saves other inputs. He added that mulching is very beneficial for crops because it conserves water and increases its availability, reduces heat stress and builds up soil health in the longer term. Farmers are already using some conservation technologies, such as zero-tillage machinery, which allows direct planting without ploughing or preparing the soil. The sustainable farming systems reduces the cost of machinery, saves irrigation water and tilling time, gradually increases soil organic matter by incorporating crop residues in the soil and mulching of soil suppresses weeds.
Honourable Minister for MNFS&R further added that precision planting is very crucial as it gives the desired number of plants per acre. For maize, 35,000 plants per acre are needed, similarly, need about 20,000 plants per acre of cotton. Precision planters will bring revolution in agriculture sector of country, this will save seed and increase per acre yield.
Honourable Federal Minister for Science and Technology Mr. Shibli Faraz added that modernization of agricultural machinery is on the mandate of science and technology. Without technology, we cannot improve our agriculture. We will extend every support to improve mechanization in the country.
The worthy Chairman, PARC Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali briefed the honourable Federal Ministers that precision design and manufacturing is a key for improved crop sowing and harvesting. We should use modern tools in designing and manufacturing of agricultural machinery. He added that 3D design, modelling, simulation and CNC manufacturing tools should be adopted for R&D as well for production industry. We will strengthen our AEI Institute with modern tools, so that our design and prototyping facilities can be improved. The design of the machine is excellent that gives more than 95% precision.
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