Cultivators of soybean: UAF, Monsanto to develop stress-tolerant germplasm

The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Monsanto will work together to develop stressed-tolerant germplasm of cultivators of soybean that will increase the productivity of the crop. It was discussed at a meeting held between UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan and Monsanto Senior Executive Dr Mao Chen at the VC Chamber.
Department of Entomology Chairman Professor Dr Jalal Arif along with Monsanto official Iftikhar and UAF Assistant Professor Dr Zunnu Raen also attended the meeting. The meeting also disused the BT cotton risk management and stewardship of the BT crops. The Vice Chancellor said that soybean had tremendous scope in our farming system. He showed his concern that the country was importing the oil worth billions of rupees.
If we promote the cultivation of oilseed crops, we cannot only overcome the imports but also become a soybean exporting country. He said we need to develop new varieties of short duration and suitable for different ecologies in the country. He said that there is a need to develop soybean and canola interventions as these crops are having marvellous potential.
He said that soybean demand is increasing in the world due to its unique composition, excellent nutritional value and health benefits as it is one of the most important oil crop in the world. Talking about cotton, he said that the university had developed a new variety of cotton which would help increase the productivity. Dr Mao Chen said that Pink bollworm resistance development should be managed against BT cotton expressing single germ of cry AC. He also said that we need to introduce BT cotton having the multiple toxins to combat pink bollworm in the future. He said that Bollgard II should be introduced in Pakistan after its bio-safety and risk assessment evaluation.
Department of Entomology Chairman Dr Jalal Arif said that the country had faced 40 percent decline in the cotton production last year. He said that the UAF had presented an assignment report on cotton before the government as it based upon the fact finding and research work.
He said Entomology Department had developed Maximum Residual Limits (MRL) for the Punjab government to register new pesticides. He said, the Punjab Government has constituted a committee under the convenor ship of Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan to revamp its agriculture policy aimed at increasing productivity and addressing the issues of farming community. Dr Zunnu Raen said that the tangible researches were being carried out to increase the per acre productivity of the crops.