ISLAMABAD: In the face of growing population pressures and climate change, Pakistan must prioritize the development of new seed varieties to boost agricultural productivity. The ongoing challenge of food security requires innovative strategies to ensure sustainable food production and national progress. Research institutes across the country have been instrumental in developing high-yielding, climate-adaptive, and disease-resistant crops to meet this challenge.
Historically, Pakistan has made significant advancements in agricultural yields. After independence, the per-acre yield of wheat was just 15 maunds, but with the introduction of varieties like MaxiPak, wheat production increased significantly. The Nuclear Institute for Agriculture & Biology (NIAB) also made breakthroughs in cotton with its NIAB-78 variety, which sustained high yields for two decades.
Recent developments highlight the continued efforts of Pakistani scientists. The Cotton Research Institute Sakrand has introduced new cotton varieties, while the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) developed a locally suitable soybean seed, potentially saving $1.5 billion in edible oil imports. UAF has also pioneered transgenic sugarcane varieties with traits like pest resistance and herbicide tolerance, which promise to revolutionize sugarcane production.
Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) has made significant contributions, developing over 700 seed varieties across various crops, including wheat, cotton, rice, maize, and vegetables. The institute’s focus is shifting from a “green revolution” to a “gene revolution,” utilizing advanced technologies like genetic mapping and artificial intelligence to develop future-ready crops.
Despite these successes, challenges remain. Farmers often face substandard seeds due to exploiters in the seed supply chain. Progressive farmers, like Muhammad Akhtar, stress the need for stricter regulations to ensure that quality seeds reach the market and farmers benefit fully from scientific advancements.
To meet future food security goals, it is critical to enhance seed research, ensure quality control, and combat market exploiters. By addressing these issues, Pakistan can secure its agricultural and economic future while meeting the growing demand for food production in a changing world.
