Pakistani scientists review wheat research through US-funded seminar

Dozens of Pakistani scientists and agricultural experts participated in the first phase of 2016 traveling wheat seminar funded by the US government.

The annual seminar brings together wheat scientists from all over Pakistan to observe and discuss wheat research at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council’s wheat research centers, said a press release issued on Friday.

“Wheat scientists are able to share and discuss their work more effectively as they examine wheat fields rather than sitting in a formal meeting,” said Dr David Marshall, US Coordinator for the Wheat Production Enhancement Programme.

“As a result of this seminar, scientists have obtained a better understanding of the problems and successes of each research programme.”

From March 8 to 18, scientists visited farmers’ fields, private seed companies, and research centers near Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkar, Multan, and Faisalabad. The participants examined challenges faced by Pakistani wheat growers such as diseases, climate change, weeds, and crop management issues. The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) organised the seminar.

CIMMYT Country Representative Dr Imtiaz Muhammad commented that wheat was important to Pakistan’s overall food security and noted that CIMMYT and the US department of agriculture were committed through the wheat production enhancement programme to advance wheat research in order to benefit Pakistani farmers. Scientists will gather for the second phase of traveling wheat seminar in early April.