FAISALABAD, Jul 10 (APP):Scientists of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) are striving hard to introduce new varieties of more than 100 crops to increase agri productivity in addition to resolving the issue of food security, said Chief Scientist AARI Dr Sajid-ur-Rehman.
Addressing a training workshop at AARI here on Wednesday, he said that maize was cultivated over 3 million acres of land in Punjab whereas hybrid varieties have the potential to give 160 to 170 maund per acre production.
The average maize production in Punjab was recorded as 60 maund per acre. However, it can be increased up to 130 to 140 maunds per acre if the growers use latest technologies and act upon the recommendations of agriculture experts, he added.
He said that American grower David Holla has improved his world record by achieving 385 maunds per acre maize production. The Pakistani farmers can improve their production by using latest techniques, he added.
Principal Scientist Agronomy Department Dr Muhammad Shoaib said that Baharia maize cultivation is completed from last week of January till end of first ten days of February. However, season maize crop could be grown from July 20 to August 15.
The farmers should consult the agriculture experts by visiting their nearest agriculture office so that they could get maximum production with minimum input cost, he added.
Chief Scientists Dr Aziz-ur-Rehman, Dr Naveed Ahmad Siddiqui, Dr Muhammad Zafar, Principal Scientists Ahsan Raza, Dr Muhammad Rafiq Kahlon, Deputy Director Agriculture Information AARI Muhammad Ishaq Lashari and others were also present on the occasion.
