March 14, 2014

Pakistan develops hybrid rapeseed for small farmers

During the current Rabi season, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) had planted rapeseed hybrid seeds on 70 acres at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) to make it available for small farmers at low prices.

This is according to Iftikhar Ahmad, chairman of PARC, speaking at NARC on the occasion of "Canola Field Day". The PARC marketed 30 tonnes of rapeseed hybrid seed during the last two years.

According to Iftikhar, Pakistan was deficient to produce vegetable oil for its domestic requirement and had to import about 75% of its total needs. Some 2.31 million tonnes of edible oil worth PKR207.6 billion (US$2.1 billion) was imported during 2012-13.

The PARC in collaboration of provincial agricultural departments was making efforts to increase local production of oilseeds by developing their high yielding varieties/hybrids.

The Canola Field Day was arranged to demonstrate PARC rapeseed hybrid seed production and enhance coordination among various stakeholders for the crop's promotion particularly in Potohar region of Punjab and central region of Kyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Iftikhar added that the PARC was also collaborating with private companies to produce rapeseed hybrid seed in the country on large scale.

Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Azeem Khan, director general NARC and Shahid Masood, member (Plant Sciences Division) PARC highlighted the importance of oilseed crops. They said that rapeseed and mustard crops were the major contributor for edible oil production in the country. The share of rapeseed and mustard was about 23% in edible oil production. The area and production of these crops can be increased by developing and promoting rapeseed hybrids in the country.

Muhammad Amjad, national coordinator (Oilseed Crops), said the main objective of Canola Field Day at NARC was to share the knowledge regarding the development and promotion of rapeseed varieties/hybrids, hybrid seed production, production technology particularly harvesting threshing by combine harvesting and handling rapeseed and its marketing.

He said there was 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 added.