Dr Muhammad Afzal, Director General Agriculture (Research), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad has emphasised the need for meeting proper procedural requirements before releasing a variety for general cultivation.
He was speaking at a seminar on "Present Activities and Achievements of Arid Zone Research Institute, Bhakkar" delivered by Sheikh Maqsood Ahmed, Director of the Institute.
Highlighting the importance of following a single channel for releasing a variety for cultivation, Afzal stated that the premature release of variety for general cultivation could harm the farmers and reduce agricultural production in the long run. Afzal also advised the scientists to cooperate with each other to improve the quality of agricultural research in national interest.
He drew the attention of agricultural scientists towards the plight of earthquake victims and asked to come forward and donate generously to the President's Relief Fund.
Earlier Sheikh Maqsood Ahmed, Director, Arid Zone Research Institute, Bhakkar informed about the research activities and achievements of the Institute. He said that wheat variety Bhakkar-2002 developed by the Institute is high yielding and consequently gained the confidence of farming community in short period of time. He suggested that participation of farmers must be ensured in release of new varieties as the all research findings must get acceptance at farmer level. He further stated that Institute is making efforts in developing new varieties of wheat, chickpea and mungbean for the benefit of farmers of Arid Zones.