Islamabad, Pakistan
May 12, 2014
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) has developed Canola Hybrid with good yield potential and produced hybrid seed on pilot scale. PARC marketed 30 tons Canola Hybrid Seed during the last two years. During current Rabi season PARC planted Canola Hybrid Seed Production on 70 acres at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) to promote the availability of hybrid seed to small farmers at low prices. This was stated by Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad, Chairman PARC while addressing on the occasion of a day long “Canola Field Day” at NARC, Islamabad. Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad said that Pakistan is deficient to meet the domestic requirement of vegetable oil and imports about 75 percent of its total requirement and imported 2.31 million tons of edible oil valued at Rs. 207.6 billion during 2012-13. PARC in collaboration of Provincial Agricultural Departments making efforts to increase local production of oilseeds by developing high yielding varieties/hybrids of oilseed crops.
He said the canola field day was arranged to demonstrate PARC Canola Hybrid Seed Production and enhances coordination among various stakeholders for canola crop promotion particularly in Potohar Region of Punjab and central region of Kyber Pakhtunkhwa. He further said that PARC in collaboration with private seed companies also making effort to produce PARC Canola Hybrid Seed in the country to meet the seed requirement of small farmers in Pakistan. On this occasion, Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Director General NARC and Dr. Shahid Masood, Member (Plant Sciences Division) PARC highlighted the importance of oilseed crops. They said rapeseed and mustard crops are the major contributor for edible oil production in the country. The share of rapeseed and mustard is about 23% in edible oil production. The area and production of these crops can be increased by developing and promoting canola hybrids in the country. They said PARC planted canola for Hybrid Seed Production on 70 acres under rainfed condition that is witness of PARC success for canola hybrid development and seed production.
On this occasion, Dr. Muhammad Amjad, National Coordinator (Oilseed Crops) said the main objective of canola field at NARC is to share the knowledge regarding the development and promotion of canola varieties / hybrids, hybrid seed production, production technology particularly harvesting threshing by combine harvesting and handling canola seed and its marketing. He said in this field day the participated also discussed the hybrid seed production of PARC canola and its marketing through Public-Private joint venture. He said that there is 10.8% increase in area under rapeseed-mustard and 23% increase in production during 2012-13 as compared to 2011-12. It shows an increasing trend in oilseed production in coming years. He further stated that canola yield per acre can be increased with hybrid seeds and better crop management practices.
Representatives from FSC&RD, NRSP, Oilseed Experts from ARI Tarnab Peshawar, BARI Chakwal, Agri. Extension, Attock, Sargodha, Rawalpindi, Fateh Jang, Chakwal, Faisalabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Malakan, Private Seed Companies ICI Pakistan & Kanzo Quality Seeds, Lahore, Jullundar Seed Corporation (Pvt) Ltd, Arifwala, Farms Seed Services, Multan, PATCO NARC, Kashif Seed Company, Sargodha, Shaheen Seed Dealer, Attock, Rachna Agri Business and Farm Machinery Service Provider, Gujranwala and Progressive Farmers from Attock, Rawalpindi, Talagang, Chakwal and Fateh Jhang Regions participated in Canola Field Day. They appreciated PARC research work and coordination activities among all the stakeholders of the country.
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