AARI: Pioneer in country’s agriculture research

AARI: Pioneer in country’s agriculture research

By: Shamsul Islam Naz FAISALABAD, Apr 20 (APP): The Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) remains a premier and prestigious organisation of the country with its mandate to develop technology for food security, generation of exportable surplus, value-addition and conservation of natural resources.Set up in early 1906 after the bifurcation of research and education in 1962, the AARI kept its pace of research to meet food, fibre and fuel needs of the burgeoning human population.There is no denying the fact that graduates of the University of Agriculture have a central position in the success and achievements of AARI, Faisalabad, and the trained manpower of high quality is imperative for progress and success of any institution. In this regard, the role of the mother institution of education is the baseline of AARI progress. The Punjab Agricultural College and Research Institute, Lyallpur, owes a debt of gratitude to its founders, including J. H. Barnes, Sir William Roberts, Mr. D. Milline, Ram Dhan Singh, Sardar Labh Singh, P.E. Lander,Khan A. Rahman and Mian Afzal Hussain, Dr. Rehman and others. Likewise, no one can forget the services of great giants, such as S A Qureshi, M A Bajwa, A. Majeed, M H Bhatti and several others whose contribution is remarkable and unforgettable. Throughout its existence, AARI has always strived to bring new ideas and laurels to the field of agriculture and it is recognised as an eminent institution in agricultural sciences, where basic and economic problems relating to various aspects of agricultural research are being investigated. Although major research personnel and facilities are located at AARI, it has research stations, sub-stations,testing centers, service laboratories and research-cum-demonstration farms located in almost all parts of the Punjab. AARI has a distinction of releasing over 350 crop varieties of different and their production technology resulted in many-fold increase in the yield of wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane and potato. Healthy trends to add to this list and further improvements are always on the move. The unprecedented growth in population has been matched with several times increase in per capita availability due to AARI research instrumental in increasing per unit productivity. Similarly, improvement of wheat has resulted in better wheat varieties, more suited and adapted for cultivation under different soil and climatic conditions. Moreover, momentum has been kept on with the release of C-591, C-518, C-273, C-271, Mexipak, Inqilab 91, Chawal-50, Lasani-08, Faisalabad 08, Mairaj-08 and BARS-09 varieties. Besides, enhancing the yield per acre as well as developing wheat varieties, epidemic of rust has been successfully controlled by incorporating resistance against important rust diseases. Moreover, quality of the bread made from wheat flour has improved considerably. After 1977-78, rusts have been effectively checked and no epidemic has been encountered which in terms of rupees turns out to be billions every year. The improvement of cotton varieties is another very important chapter in the achievements of the Institute. The indigenous cotton varieties were replaced by the Punjab American cotton in the very early history of the Institute. Punjab American cotton 4F was the first improved cotton variety released by the Institute for general cultivation in 1914. Other important varieties released for general cultivation include 289F, LSS, K25, 289F/43F, 124F, 199F, 216F, 238F, 320F, 268F, 362F, A.C-I34, Lasani 11, 387F, AC-158, AC-184, AC-273, AC-307, AC-319, AC-321, AC-134, B-557, S-12, MNH-93, FH-901, FH-113, CRSM-38. Several Bt and drought lines are in the pipeline. The improvement of sugarcane varieties is yet another important chapter in the improvement of agriculture. In the early history of the Institute improved thin Coimbatore varieties replaced the indigenous thin cane varieties. The first improved cane variety, Co 205 released in 1922 was followed by Co-213 and Co-223. However, the most important variety, which became popular over large areas, was Co-285. Until recently, Co-312 and Co-421 occupied large areas. The new varieties Co.L. 44, Co.L. 29, Co.L. 38 and Co.L. 54, SPF-234, SPF-245, HSF-242, CPF-243 followed several other varieties with high sugar yield. Similarly in other crops, landmark varieties were released. It is pertinent to mention here that researchers need to maintain an equilibrium between the logic of efficiency and non-logics of workers sentiments to grow more to address tomorrow’s challenges. Despite availability of research information, the problem of low productivity, resource degradation and non-sustainability of agriculture systems remains a serious threat to human survival. The present age is full of challenges and opportunities. Only those survive who can benefit from these opportunities for eradication of hunger, poverty and backwardness. Potential of agriculture sector to eliminate these perils of poverty and strengthening of economy of country have not been fully realised. Hardly, 40 to 50 percent of the miracle AARI varieties yield potential has been recovered due to a number of factors i.e. inconsistency in weather, improper marketing, poor infrastructure, untimely supplies of inputs, absence of insurance cover to crops, poor control on quality of inputs, mismanagement of irrigation, post-harvest losses, high input costs, knowledge gap, inadequate financial resources etc. AARI is the seat of green revolution which later spread to neighbouring countries. The momentum of green revolution has been kept by the release of more than 50 wheat varieties. Due to concerted breeding efforts, no epidemic of rust could surface after 1977-78. Similarly, silver fibre of the country has proven its worth worldwide and remains backbone of the economy. The contribution of AARI on Punjab’s geographical map is visible. The service structure of AARI, operational capacity of team leaders and scientists skill enhancement programme was adversely affected over the period of time, particularly due to contract policy which developed a sense of insecurity. AARI today is facing severe brain-drain, which if allowed to continue would further aggravate the situation. In case of rice alone, performance of AARI has remarkable over the years. An additional worth of about 24 percent (valued around Rs52 billion) has been added in the Punjab’s economy for the year 2007-08. Similarly sugarcane, wheat, pulses, cotton, citrus, mango etc. research has huge economical significance. AARI has the capacity to meet the challenges of the 21st century provided it receives a level-playing field like University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, (UAF), Nuclear Institute of Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) Faisalabad, National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) Faisalabad and other R&D organizations of the country in terms of service benefit. New crop varieties and their production technology alone would not lead to revolutions in agricultural growth. The full and beneficial effects of agricultural research and technological advancement would materialise only if government policies are appropriate and scientists are given package and status they deserve. AARI has to continue its role in food scarcity and economic security of the country. Its continuous strengthening and recognition will motivate scientists to meet food and fiber challenges in years to come. April 20, 2010