TOBA TEK SINGH: The climate change is damaging agriculture productivity and posing a threat to food security for which agriculture scientists,especially breeders, should expedite their efforts to develop climate-resilient varieties.
This was stated by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan in his address to the 3rd International Colloquium on the challenges and opportunities of maize production organised by the UAF Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics.
He said increase in the maize production in the country was a success story and `we have to increase productivity of other crops with the same spirit.` He said Punjab had seen its maize production jump by over 10 times from 794,000 tonnes in 2000-01 to 8.04m tonnes last year.
He said 40 per cent of the population was facing malnutrition. `If we promote wheat-maize mixed flour, it will improve health and combat malnutrition.` He said about 10pc maize mixed with wheat at the grinding stage would provide about 3m tonnes of wheat relief which is exactly equal to the wheat deficit.
He showed his concern over the fact that this year maize crop had come under pest attack and temperatures for which effective strategy was required.
Dean Faculty of Agriculture Prof Dr Amanullah Malik said that this year, there was no springseason and summer set in. He said the attack of the pest was a real challenge and stressed the need for enhanced efforts on the part of scientists to overcome the problems.
Former Dean Agriculture Dr Iftikhar Ahmad said the total cropped area of the country was 22 million hectare whereas maize was sown at 1.34 million hectare and the share of maize crop in total GDP is 0.5. He said the breeders should come up with new varieties keeping in view the changing environment.
He said maize was the third most important cereal crop in Pakistan after wheat and rice.
Chairman Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said all-out efforts were being made to ensure food security. He said that in the last five years, the corn production had doubled in the country. `It is used as food, feed and industrial crop around the world.
Maize crop is called `the other gold` due to its diversified industrial consumption,` he said.
He said Ukraine was one of the largest maize producing countries which is under war.
GOR HI: The groundbreaking ceremony of construction of GOR IH was held at Faisalabad Canal Expressway near Wapda city on Wednesday.
Deputy Commissioner All Shahzad unveiled the plaque of the state-of-theart project which would be built over 340 kanal in two years at a cost of Rs442 million. More than 40 houses would be constructed for officers and employees of grade 15 to 18 and one to five, he said.
