Arooj Zulfiqar

Wheat is the major food crop in Pakistan, and increasing its yield on a consistent basis has become a strategic goal to ensure food security in Pakistan, says Dr Sikandar Khan, Principal Scientific Officer at the National Agricultural Research Council (NARC).

In order to enhance wheat output, Pakistan can greatly benefit from China’s experience in developing high-yielding, disease-resistant, and high-quality wheat varieties through molecular breeding, he said.

“China has made significant strides in agricultural research and development, particularly in the field of molecular breeding technology. This cutting-edge technology involves using genetic information to develop new crop varieties with desirable traits such as higher yields, disease resistance, and improved quality. As wheat is a staple crop in Pakistan, molecular breeding can improve the country’s food security,” Sikandar said.

“The main advantage of this technology is that it speeds up the breeding process. Traditional breeding methods can take years to develop new crop varieties. However, molecular breeding can cut this time down, allowing for the rapid development and release of new, high-yielding wheat varieties,” he added.

“This is especially important for Pakistani farmers, who face droughts, pests, and diseases. By developing new wheat varieties that are better adapted to the local conditions and are more resilient to these challenges, the farmers can increase their yields and improve their livelihoods.”

“Another benefit of this technology is precision. Traditional breeding methods rely on trial and error, with breeders selecting plants based on their physical characteristics and hoping that they possess the desired genetic traits. Molecular breeding, on the other hand, allows breeders to identify specific genes associated with desirable traits and target them directly. This precision can lead to more efficient breeding and more consistent results, with a higher probability of developing varieties with the desired traits.”

“In this regard, the two countries have launched the China-Pakistan Joint Wheat Molecular Breeding International Lab (Joint Lab). This project is funded by the Science and Technology Partnership Program, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, with  joint support from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the National Agricultural Research Center of Pakistan and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center,” he added.

The Joint Lab will train experts, host workshops, test selected Chinese germplasm in Pakistan, and carry out collaborative molecular breeding research.

In order to increase the capacity of breeders and technical workers and increase wheat production in Pakistan, new varieties with high yield and disease resistance are anticipated to be developed. The Joint Lab will serve as a platform for wheat breeding between China and Pakistan to offer technical and scientific assistance for Pakistan’s food security.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk