Hybrid wheat to ensure food security: experts

Speakers at UAF conference highlight stagnant productivity, climate changes

LAHORE:

Agricultural experts advocated the application of modern technology, including the promotion of hybrid wheat varieties across the country to ensure food security in view of the stagnation of productivity during the past several years.

Addressing the inaugural session of a two-day international wheat conference organised by University of Faisalabad Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said technological intervention in corn production had resulted in a bumper yield increase and the adoption of modern research in wheat cultivation was the need of the hour.

He said climate changes had badly affected the productivity, so "we have to come up with new varieties to feed the population of 220 million people in the county".

He said hybrid rice was also replacing the common varieties due to its high yield potential. He stressed the need to take measures to adopt new wheat growing methods with the help of the industry.

Australian scientist Dr Richard Trethowan said wheat was an important crop for the country and both the stability and productivity of the crop must improve in " our hostile farming environment". He said hybrid maize had revolutionised production globally.

Dr Rebbeca Thistlethewaite from the same country said Australian wheat varieties were generally heat tolerant and the best options had been identified through a hybrid wheat project.

Islamic Organisation for Food Security Kazakhstan Director General Professor Yerlan A Baidaulat talked about providing expertise and technical know-how to member states on various aspects of sustainable agriculture, rural development, food security and biotechnology.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2023.