The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and a private agricultural research company have signed a three-year agreement to develop and commercialise hybrid wheat in Pakistan, targeting a 20 per cent increase in per-acre yield.
The Letter of Intent was signed by UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfikar Ali and Guard Agriculture Chief Executive Shahzad Ali Malik, in the presence of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Ali Hussam Asghar.
Under the partnership, UAF will provide expertise in genetics, breeding and agronomy, while Guard Agriculture will support field trials, seed production, commercial assessments and research funding.
Dr Zulfikar said hybrid wheat could boost production without increasing farmers’ input costs, but stressed that improved crop management and good agricultural practices would also be essential. He said yields could reach 98 maunds per acre under appropriate conditions.
Shahzad Ali Malik said commercialisation could take another three to four years. He said the company aimed to build on its experience with hybrid rice to improve wheat productivity in Pakistan.
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