PESHAWAR, Aug 17 (APP):Advisor to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Agriculture, Mian Muhammad Umar on Monday visited Cereal Crops Research Institute (CCRI), Pir Sabak, Nowshera, where he reviewed ongoing agricultural research, modern technologies and various development activities at the institute. During the visit, Advisor Agriculture Muhammad Umar inaugurated Speed Breeding Facility and formally launched the current olive oil extraction season and tree plantation campaign. Member of Khyber Pukhtounkhwa Provincial …
Modern speed breeding facility to boost crop productivity, food security: Advisor
PESHAWAR, Aug 17 (APP):Advisor to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Agriculture, Mian Muhammad Umar on Monday visited Cereal Crops Research Institute (CCRI), Pir Sabak, Nowshera, where he reviewed ongoing agricultural research, modern technologies and various development activities at the institute.
During the visit, Advisor Agriculture Muhammad Umar inaugurated Speed Breeding Facility and formally launched the current olive oil extraction season and tree plantation campaign. Member of Khyber Pukhtounkhwa Provincial Assembly Zar Alam Khan, Director General Agriculture Research Dr Abdul Rauf and Planning Officer Agriculture Department Nisar Muhammad were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Mian Muhammad Umar said that Speed Breeding Facility would play an important role in accelerating the wheat breeding programme, developing new , improved varieties and promoting crops capable of adapting to changing climatic conditions. The modern facility would help develop high-yielding varieties in a shorter period, further strengthening efforts to ensure food security in province.
Mian Muhammad Umar also inaugurated current olive oil extraction season and reviewed the processing of olives through modern techniques, production of pure and high-quality olive oil. He said that ensuring availability of pure and quality olive oil to consumers, while promoting value addition of olives at local level was a pressing need. This would help increase farmers’ incomes and strengthen the agricultural economy.
He further said that he was initiating a series of surprise visits to the subordinate offices of the Agriculture Department to assess their performance and ensure the efficient discharge of official duties.
The Advisor Agriculture also launched the plantation campaign at CCRI Pir Sabak by planting a sapling. On the occasion, the importance of environmental protection, addressing the impacts of climate change and promoting a green environment at agricultural research institutions was highlighted.
Director CCRI Pir Sabak, Miftah ud din, gave a detailed briefing on the overall performance of the institute, ongoing research activities, breeding programmes for various crops, development of new cereal varieties, production of quality seed and use of modern agricultural technologies. Advisor Agriculture was also briefed on ongoing initiatives to enhance the productivity of wheat, maize and other important crops, develop modern varieties and transfer research findings to farmers.
Appreciating the efforts of the institute’s scientists and research staff, Mian Muhammad Umar said aligning agricultural research with modern requirements, expanding the use of modern technologies and ensuring the practical transfer of research outcomes to farmers were among the provincial government’s priorities.
He said modern agricultural research, accelerated breeding programmes and the development of improved high-yielding varieties could not only increase crop production but also play a key role in ensuring food security, enhancing farmers’ incomes and promoting sustainable growth of the agricultural sector in the province.
