The Punjab Agricultural Research Board (PARB) has decided to include Murree and Kasur in its project of 'Development and dissemination of production technology of sugar leaf (Stevia rebaudiana)' aimed at introducing sugar leaf as alternate sweetener; develop its production and processing technologies and multiplications.
This decision was taken at a meeting to review this project which was already under process at various places of the province. The meeting also decided excluding the district D G Khan from this project as it could not achieve desired results in this area.
Sugar Leaf (Stevia rebaudiana) is a perennial shrub that grows up to 1.00m tall and has 2-3 cm long leaves, used as sweeteners. It is grown commercially in many parts of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Central America, Israel, Thailand and China. Stevioside, the main sweet component in the leaves of the Stevia plant are 300 times sweeter than ordinary sugar, hence excellent substitute for diabetics of type-12 patients. The objective of the PARB funded project is to introduce sugar leaf as alternate sweetener, develop its production and processing technologies and promote multiplications.
The project was monitored by PARB's monitoring and evaluation cell and observed many shortfalls in fulfilment of project activities. A Technical Working Group (TWG) was held under the Chairmanship of Chief Executive PARB Dr Mubarik Ali to deeply analyse the failure of project milestone and to take decision whether to continue it or not.
The meeting was attended by Chaudhry Abdul Sattar Director Agronomic Research Institute Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad, Dr Abdul Haq Director (Retd) Post Harvest Research Institute Faisalabad, Dr Hafiz Muhammad Akram Plant Physiologist AARI Faisalabad, Dr Muhammad Afzal Sugarcane Specialist, Sugarcane Research Institute AARI Faisalabad, Kazim Ali, Research Officer Shakargaj Sugar Mills Jhang and PARB's officers.
According to the PARB spokesperson, Dr Hafiz Muhammad Akram, Project Manager briefed the poor performance of project was due to delay in purchasing seed, slow growth of seedlings and low percentage of germination, lack of hardening facilities at AARI and collaborative institute at Jhang and the development of seedling required low temperature and existing temperature was very high in June-July
He suggested restarting the project with modifications and expressed the hope to achieve the project targets in timely manner. While commenting on the project Dr Abdul Haq indicated that project has potential and should concentrate on germination tests and screening of varieties for wider adoptability. He suggested changing the area of demonstration and includes few areas of north Punjab as well. Dr Muhammad Afzal said as plant cannot bear high and low temperature so its germination should be tested at different locations. At this point Dr Hafiz Muhammad Akram told the participants that he had experimented plant germination in Murree in July, which seems to be very successful.
Chaudhry Abdul Sattar claimed that plant has grown at AARI Faisalabad, resulted in good crop having two feet height. "Different varieties of the plant species are being evaluated for its adoptability in the country and nine locations have been already identified for its demonstration" he added.
The TWG suggested including Muree and Kasur area while excluding DG Khan from the list of demonstration sites. PARB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Mubarik Ali directed Dr Abdul Haq to visit Faisalabad in order to see the plant germination and inform accordingly to the Board. Chaudhry Abdul Sattar also promised to visit Murree and submit a report about the success of plant germination there.
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