PARC, #20, G-5/1, Islamabad, Fax: 092-051-9203070, E-mail: chair@comsats.net.pk, Web: www.parc.gov.pk

Pakistan Agricultural Research CouncilFebruary, 2020 Vol. 32 - No. 1

PARC-AZRC playing vital role in farm research: Dr. Azeem

Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman, PARC along with Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed, Member (Natural Resources) PARC, Eng. Izhar-ul-Haq Qazi, Sr. Director (Works), PARC and Aziz Ullah Shah, Director (Soil Sciences), NR, PARC visited Arid Zone

Research Centre, Ratta Kulachi, D.I.Khan. PARC-Arid Zone Research Centre (AZRC), D.I. Khan was established under the um-brella of PARC to cater the needs of Arid and Semi-Arid areas of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa.Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman

A group photo of Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC along-with PARC and AZRC scientists.

Dr. Azeem hails PARC for developing Food security policy

A policy dialogue on National Agriculture and Food Security in Pakistan was organized by Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum in a local Hotel at Islama-bad.Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman, PARC, Dr. Anwar Hussain Gillani, Vice Chancellor, University of Haripure Hazara, Prof. Dr. Amanullah Malik, CPEC and Mr. Khalid Rehman, Executive Director, IPS were the main speakers of the event.

Addressing to the participants of policy dialogues, Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman, PARC said that it is very encouraging to know that Pakistan Agriculture Research Council was instrumental in developing the 1st ever Food Security Policy and it is also satisfying that same policy is now under implemen-tation. Pakistan facing massive challenges like degradation and depletion of natural

Chinese Ambassador calls on Chairman, PARC

His Excellency, Mr. Yao Jing, Chinese Amb-assador has met with Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Research Council at PARC and discussed about the investment of agriculture sector in Pakistan under China - Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He suggested for further materializing the understanding between Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences and PARC to work on the improvement of Rice, Wheat, Sugar-cane, Cotton, Vegetable and Livestock with modern technologies.Chinese Ambassador Mr. Yao Jing briefed about their Locust expert team arrival in Karachi and their visit to affected areas to assess the situation and needs of Pakistan. Chairman, PARC Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan discussed the possible control mea-sures for Locust for short term as well as long term. Keeping in view the environ-mental aspects of pesticides to knock down Locust. They also discussed capacity building at national level both for the scientists and technicians to improve the agriculture production and poverty elevation.In the meeting, Pak-China experts also exchanged the agricultural information and discussed the areas of mutual interest to accelerate the development of Agriculture sector in Pakistan.Dr. Azeem said that the Chines locust team was currently visiting Karachi and affected areas of Sindh.

Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC holding a meeting with Mr. Yao Jing, Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan during his visit at PARC.

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Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC, Dr. Anwar Hussain Gillani, Vice Chancellor, Hazara University, Prof. Dr. Amanullah Malik, CPEC and Mr. Khalid Rehman, Executive President, IPS are sitting on the stage on the occasion of Policy Dialogue on National Agriculture and Food Security in Pakistan organized Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum at Islamabad.

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In order to keep abreast of students, rese-archers and faculty about scholarships, fellowships and internship prospects in Germany, a seminar on Study and Research Opportunities in Germany was jointly organized by National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB) and PARC Institute of Advanced Studies in Agriculture (PIASA) at National Agricul-tural Research Center (NARC). Students, researchers and scientists from NARC as well as from different universities of Islamabad participated in the event. The honorable guest speaker Ms. IngeIqbal, Dir-ector DAAD Information Centre Islamabad delivered the seminar on the topic.Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Director General NARC addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of DAAD seminar and share his experiences about prospects of collaboration with the German institutions and capacity development of the NARC scientists.

Seminar on Study and Research Opportunities in

Germany held

Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, DG, NARC giving away a shield to Ms. IngeIqbal, Director, DAAD at NARC.

Aflatoxin Biological control facility available at NARC

The Aflatoxin Control Laboratory at Crop Diseases Research Institute (CDRI), NARC has been established in collaboration with CBI financed by USDA. The inauguration ceremony was held at CDRI, NARC Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman, PARC was the chief guest. Verification of atoxigenic strain-based product (AlfaPak) for mitigating aflatoxin in maize and development of atoxigenic based products for mitigating aflatoxin in chilies and

groundnut are the objectives of the lab.While addressing to the inaugural session, Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan said that Aflatoxin Control Laboratory is first of its kind in Pakistan to mitigate aflatoxin in Maize and as a centre of excellence for mitigating the aflatoxin menace in the country this will open new windows for other crops like chillies, groundnut and dried fruits. The Chairman said that safer food and diseasefree crops are the targets to

Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC inaugurating Aflatoxin Control Laboratory at Crop Diseases Research Institute NARC.

Optimizing Yield and Nutrients Content in Peas by INM

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Excessive and imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers may pose devastating effect on soil fertility and sustainable productivity. Bio-organic amendments improve soil fertility and sustainable crop productivity. Therefore a field experiment was conducted at NARC, Islamabad, to evaluate the integrated effects of rhizobium, vermi-compost [having C/N range=19-16 and 14 Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)] and chemical fertilizers on nodulation, root-shoot growth, yield and nutrients content in peas using Randomized

Complete Block Design. The results

registered significant (p≤0.5) on nodules

number, root, shoot length, yield, nutrients and protein content of peas. The maximum pea yield (3.9 t/ha) was recorded with application of Biozote+ Vermizote 0.5 t/ha+ 75% Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF) followed by 3.6 t/ha where 100% RDF was applied alone. It was 8 % more than yield of 100% RDF and in addition saved 25% chemical fertilizer. The maximum content of N (3.6%), P (0.39%) , K (2.4%) and protein (22.5%) in peas seed were registered with application of Biozote+ Vermizote 0.5 t/ha 75% RDF and these were 13%, 15% , 14% and 13% more than N, P , K and protein content of 100% RDF alone respectively. NPK as a source of chemical fertilizer integrated with vermicompost and biofertilizers were found to be superior with regards to yield and nutrients content over control and sole application of 100% recommended dose of chemical fertilizers. This study confirms that biofertilizer and vermicompost have a tremendous potential of plant nutrients supply for sustainable crop production.Syed Ishtiaq Hyder SSO, LRRI, NARCBio-organic and chemical fertilizers effect on peas' yield

Dr. Muhammed Arshad has assumed the charge of Director Directorate of Scientific Communi-cation and Publication, NARC on Jan. 30. Email: marshadnarc@hotmail.com

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Dr. Azeem lauds CDRI wheat rust research

added in Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) of PARC and backup to private sector for seed multiplication. Chairman urged to work on tomato during summer under RDI system for vegetable cultivation.The Chairman inaugurated the High Efficiency Irrigation System installed at SARC experimental field. Dr. Kamran Baksh, Senior Engineer briefed about the land preparation for Brazilian seedless lemon and grapes. Chairman along with DG SARC planted lemon and grape plant under drip irrigation system. Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan briefed about the smart irrigation device installed under grafted Ber plants for crop scheduling. Dr.Attaullah Khan Director General, SARC briefed about the ongoing activities and showed the newly developed land area of five acres for plantation. Chairman PARC appreciated the efforts taken by Director General SARC and his team for radical improvement in short period of time.Chairman PARC visited the FQSRI and was briefed by Dr. Akhlaq Ahmed, Director FQSRI regarding lab activities. Chairman PARC highlighted the importance of dried Ber and brown rice. The Chairman advised to generate demand of the product. The Chairman also highlighted that the varietal purity is a big challenge in Basmati rice.Chairman, PARC also briefed by Miss Sundus Riaz, SO, FQSRI on different extract in lab including Neem, Garlic, Mint and Rose and its role in whitefly control. The Chairman appreciated the work done on essential oil. Chairman PARC advised to submit project on essential oil distillery for commercial production.

A group photo of Dr. Ghulam Ali, Director General, NARC with LLRI scientists' on the eve of Dr. Imdad Ali Mahmood, SSO, LRRI, NARC retirement function held at NARC.

Muhammad

PARC-AZRC playing vital role in farm research: Dr. Azeem

PARC was received by Dr. Noman Latif, Director and officers of AZRC. He was briefed about the PARC functions and progress at AZRC with special emphasis on PSDP project under execution in four districts of KP, i.e. Lakki Marwat, Tank, Wana (South Tribal District) and Miranshah (North Tribal District).Dr. Nouman Latif, Director (AZRC) D.I. Khan also informed the Chairman, PARC that PARC-AZRC. D.I. Khan has also established a system of information provision, advisory services and free veterinary camps facility to farming communityfor effective cure for animal wounds/burns by application of herbal extracts and traditional medicines. Garlic and Onion Experiments at Riverine area, D.I. Khan.Later on, Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman, PARC along-with PARC technical team visited AZRC Agriculture Farm where Pulses, Canola, traditional medicines, different fruits and Wheat were cultivated. The Chairman, PARC also examined the Central Pivot Irrigation System which is used for crops irrigation. The Chairman also inaugurated a foundation stone for construction of AZRC-farm boundary wall and fencing. The residential Staff Colony was also inaugurated by Chairman, PARC. On the occasion of visit at Lakki Marwat, The Chairman, PARC spoke with the farmers / cultivators of the area and said that PARC-AZRC station is playing a vital role for development of agriculture sector in D.I. Khan and its allied areas and ensuring food security at all levels in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At the end of the visit, Dr. Azeem Khan, The Chairman, PARC also planted a Dhaki Date Plant at PARC-AZRC newly built office.

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Dr. Azeem hails PARC for developing Food security policy

resources, climate change impacts, hunger & poverty. To address these sectors, there is a need of proper attention at all level for improvement in productivity. The Chairman, also added that to uplift agriculture sector is one of the highest priority areas of PARC for ensuring food security in the country whereas Govt. of Pakistan under Prime Minister's Agriculture Emergency initiatives has also significantly increased agriculture sector investment through encouraging use of modern technologies, restoring the livestock sector, launching poverty alleviation programs and development of water resources.

Aflatoxin Biological control facility available at NARC

ensure food security in the Country. Aflatoxin is contaminating crops produced in Pakistan. The Chairman further added that Pakistan is an agriculture based economy and horticulture is an important industry of this sector. Prevalence of afla-toxin in fresh produce commodities at the time of consumption is one of the growing food safety concerns. Aflatoxin are found in fresh produce commodities grown in Pakistan. There is a need to conduct a supply chain focused comprehensive research study on assess-ment of aflatoxin in the major fresh produce commodities of Pakistan.Aflatoxin is a serious threat to food security by infecting many of Pakistan's agricultural products, including cereal grains, chilies, dry fruits and nuts, and milk. It is produced by a poisonous fungus. The fungus can infect crops before and after harvest as well as infect animal products if infected feeds are given to livestock.

Pakistan whereas Livestock and Dairy Development Board (LDDB) is meant to promote and facilitate development of dairy, meat, poultry and allied livestock in the country to achieve the potential of livestock sector in Pakistan.Dr. Fateh Ullah, CEO, LDDB appreciated PARC efforts in agricul-ture sector and Chairman PARC who has kindly consented to get MoU signed between Livestock and Dairy Development Board and PARC. On the occasion, Dr. Azeem also expressed that food security and poverty alleviation can be achieved through development in farming because more than 70% of population of Pakistan is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture or related businesses that includes fish farm-ing, livestock rearing, poultry and vegetable production.

MoU inked for Livestock uplift

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Dr. Azeem lauds CDRI wheat rust research

Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman, PARC and Dr. Attaullah Khan, Director General SARC, visited CDRI. Dr. Nasreen Sultana, Director CDRI, the officers and staff at CDRI gave warm welcome to Chairman PARC. The Chairman PARC visited experimental field at CDRI and was

briefed about the wheat trial by Mr. Khalil Khanzada, SSO at CDRI. Chairman PARC appreciated the efforts taken by the scientists of CDRI in wheat rust research. Chairman PARC said that there is a lacking in seed system for new wheat germ plasm, and advised that the new varieties should be

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Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC addressing to Scientists / Officers/ Officials during his visit to Southern-Zone Agricultural Research Council (SARC), University Campus, Karachi.

Quality honey production MoU signed

Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Metropolitan Corporation, Islamabad (MCI) has signed a MoU for high quality honey production from Margallah Hills, Islamabad. A delegation from PARC headed by Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman, PARC visited office of Sheikh Ansar Aziz, Mayor, Metropolitan Corporation, Islama-bad for this purpose.The MoU was signed by Dr. Azeem and Sheikh Ansar Aziz. As per MoU, The PARC would provide technical cooperation to the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) for managing the honeybee colonies for production of branded honey from Margalla Hills.The PARC would help in harvesting, extraction, quality testing, packing and labeling of honey. The branded honey of Margalla Hills would be offered in the market through PARC-Agro Tech Company.The PARC would also provide assistance in capacity building of Margalla community in beekeeping as well as demonstration apiary at Margalla Hills for community to raise the awareness about beekeeping for quality honey production, free pollination services of bees to enhance the quality and quantity of fruits, vegetables and biodiversity conservation. PARC would also provide two training of Bee keeping round the year to local communities of 32 settlements of National Park Area and the participants of the training will be gathered by MCI.Under the MoU, the Metropolitan Corporation, Islamabad (MCI)will provide space for placement of honeybee colonies for blossom boney of f Acacia (phauli) Granda, Bhaikar etc at Margalla Hills and help in conservation and promotion of bee flora for honey production including different species of flowers like Acacia, Granda, Bhaikar and other fruit plants.

Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC, Sheikh Ansar Aziz, Mayor Metropolitan, Islamabad signing MoU on High Quality Honey Production from Margallah Hills.

Published By: Directorate of Scientific Communication & Publication, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad. Managed & Dr. Muhammad Arshad, Director (DSC&P), Ahmad Mahmood-uz-Zaman, Managing Editor (PJAR); Photographers:- Faraz Ahmed; Production:- Abdul Rehman Khan.

Edited By:-

A group photo of Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC with Mr. Muhammad Naeem, (H.I., S.I.) Chairman PAEC along-with other high officials of PAEC/ PARC on his visit to PAEC.

Mr. Wiqar Ahmad, Secretary PARC, Dr. Fateh Ullah, Chief Executive Officer (LDDB) are signing MoU at PARC in the presence of Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman, PARC.

MoU inked for Livestock uplift

Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Livestock and Dairy Develop-ment Board (LDDB) signed a MoU to develop and implement joint research and for exchange of scientific and technical expertise in livestock and dairy develop-ment sector. A delegation from Livestock and Dairy Development Board (LDDB) headed by Dr. Fateh Ullah, Chief Executive Officer, LDDB visited PARC.Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) is the apex national organization in Pakistan working in close collaboration

with public and private sector institutions in the country to provide science based solu-tions for the development of agriculture in

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