US scientists help farmers combat plant diseases

This will lead to improved incomes and food supplies.


Our Correspondent September 18, 2012

ISLAMABAD: Two top US scientists have arrived in Pakistan to work with their counterparts here as well as farmers to help them combat plant diseases, which pose a threat to wheat crop, cause income losses and disrupt food supplies.

The scientists from both sides, in coordination with Pakistan Agricultural Research Commission (PARC), provincial agricultural research centres, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre and the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, conducted a series of workshops and meetings this week to address problems affecting wheat productivity, says a press release.

They also assessed progress of the US government-sponsored wheat productivity enhancement programme (WPEP) going on in Pakistan.

Speaking to Pakistani scientists at a research lab in Murree, Dr Kay Walker Simmons, Deputy Administrator of the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, said, “Wheat is the centre of Pakistani life as a food staple and a source of livelihood for many rural communities. The WPEP is an example of how American and Pakistani scientists are collaborating to find a seed resistant to infectious wheat diseases.”

This joint effort helps Pakistani farmers spend less money on wheat seeds and leads to increased incomes and wheat yield for farming communities, he said. According to the press release, US and Pakistani agricultural scientists regularly collaborate on research to combat diseases affecting principal crops.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2012.

 

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ