Punjab Government is going to introduce new cotton seeds

Lahore: Punjab Government is going to introduce new cotton seeds with the help of Monsanto through which cotton production in the country would jump to 26 million bales from 13 million bales.

This was stated by Ch. Muhammad Sarwar, Governor Punjab while addressing agricultural scientists at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad. He was presiding over a function organized at AARI, Faisalabad to celebrate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug’s 100^th birth day and commemorating fifty years of Pakistan-US-Cooperation in Agriculture.

Minister for agriculture, Dr. Farrukh Javed, Mr. Ali Tahir, Secretary Agriculture, Jeanie Borlaug Laube, Chairperson BGRI, Dr. Abid Mahmood, Director General AARI and many experts from the field participated in the event.

Governor Punjab said that Dr. Norman E. Borlaug served humanity at large and greatly helped to alleviate hunger and poverty through development of input responsive semi dwarf wheat varieties. He informed that Pakistan is one of the top 10 producers of wheat in the world and added that Punjab Government is striving to make “green revolution” as ever green in Punjab through sustainable development.

Dr. Farrukh Javed, Minister for Agriculture, Punjab acknowledged the efforts and commitment of Dr. Borlaug to increase wheat production in Pakistan. He told that Punjab Government visualizes agriculture sector a science based vibrant sector that can meet food security challenges. He said that with the efforts of farmers and cooperation of government Punjab will achieve its target of Wheat production this year.

Jeanie Borlaug Laube, Chairperson BGRI and daughter of Norman E. Borlaug acknowledged the talent of Pakistani agricultural scientists to bring green revolution in sixties. She stated that her father was great admirer of Pakistani scientists. He trained many Pakistani scientists and farmers at CIMMYT (Mexio) and with collaborative efforts and international co-operation, Pakistan increased wheat production considerably and achieved self sufficiency in wheat.

Ali Tahir, Secretary Agriculture, Punjab in his welcome address stated that another green revolution for country is required and Punjab Government is making concerted efforts to bring this revolution.

Dr. Abid Mahmood, Director General Agriculture Research gave brief history of CIMMYT – AARI collaboration for research.  Hans J. Braun, Director General Wheat Programme CIMMYT and Dr. Makhdoom Hussain, Director Wheat Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad also spoke at the occasion.