SAU launches tissue culture banana project to boost yield and exports

HYDERABAD, Apr 07 (APP): The Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) has initiated a modern agricultural experiment at its latif experimental farm with the formal inauguration of tissue culture-based banana cultivation of the “Dhaka variety” by Vice Chancellor Engr. Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal on Tuesday.

The SAU spokesperson told that the initiative integrates intercropping, with chili being cultivated alongside banana, aiming to optimize land use and enhance farmers’ income through diversified production systems.

The Vice Chancellor personally planted saplings over an 18 acre area, marking the launch of the cultivation drive. The event was attended by Chairman high power farms committee Dr. Manzoor Ali Abro, director farms Dr. Muhammad Mithal Lund and other university officials, who also participated in the plantation activity.

Addressing a brief ceremony on the occasion, Dr. Siyal stated that tissue culture banana cultivation in Sindh had the potential to increase yield by 30 to 40 percent per acre, while significantly reducing the risk of diseases. He emphasized that producing bananas in line with international quality standards could substantially boost exports from Sindh to global markets.

He further noted that making agriculture more profitable requires raising farmers’ awareness about modern technologies, involving them in innovative field experiments, promoting the selection of improved varieties, enhancing shelf life and ensuring better access to both domestic and international markets. “Tissue culture plants are disease-free, uniform and high-yielding, while intercropping enables farmers to obtain dual benefits from the same piece of land,” he added.

Chairman high power farms committee Dr. Manzoor Ali Abro, while briefing the Vice Chancellor, highlighted that utilizing university farms for research and practical demonstrations provides valuable learning opportunities for both students and farmers.

Director farms Dr. Muhammad Mithal Lund said that the ongoing experiment at Latif farm represents a significant step toward the promotion of modern agricultural practices.