The University of Agriculture Faisalabad scientists in collaboration with the University of Sydney, Australia will develop wheat hybrid seed first time in Pakistan that will be more resilient to climate changes and increase the productivity upto 20 percent. It was discussed at a seminar titled “hybrid wheat for food security” that was arranged by the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics . The session was chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan. University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute Director Prof Dr Richard Trethawan and UK scientist Dr Jacab Lage were the key speakers whereas MNS Agriculture University Multan Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asif Ali also attended the session.

Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan told the audience that the project will be completed in the five year that is a step toward food security. He showed his concern that wheat production had been facing the stagnation for last many years. He added that the hybrid seed of the wheat will increase the per acre production. A team of the galaxy of scientists of both universities is working on the project. He said that it was need of the hour to adopt modern trends to jack up the agricultural production as the population of country has risen to 200 million which was just 35 million at the time of partition. He said that we are far lagging behind from the developed world. He said that quality education, skilled manpower and awareness among the masses would ensure the development.

Dr Richard Trethawan said that the population of the world was increasing with the large pace and the climate changes are posing a threat to agricultural production . He said that in this scenario, it is must to adopt the modern trend of the agriculture. He said that it was the real challenge to ensure the food security. He said that the hybrid seed will help increase the per acre production. Dr Jacob Lage hoped that the project will be completed by 2020 so that it can be replicated in the other part of the country. He said that world population was touching seven billion people. In this scenario, it is need of the hour to develop and promote high yielding and climate change resilient crops. Mian Nawaz Shareef Agriculture University Multan Vice Chancellor Dr Asif Ali said that the country was growing hybrid seeds of rice, maize and others. He said that hybrid due the project, the hybrid seed technology would be available in the country. He said that under the project they would work also analyze its productivity as well as social site. Director General Ayub Research Dr Abid Mehmood, Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ahmed, lecturer Rabia Faridi and other notables also spoke on the occasion.