Up-scaling of Blackberry and Groundnut research programs for Agri-business promotion in Barani Region Punjab

Objectives

• Commercialization of blackberry on 15 acres and Groundnut on 180 acres in Pothwar based on indigenous R&D 
• Strengthening of research capacities by introducing five (05) new exotic genotypes of blackberry / groundnut each and to promote scientific collaboration
• Conduct adaptability studies of blackberry (06) and groundnut (06) in South / Central Punjab
• Development of value-added products of blackberry and groundnut
• Training and capacity building of scientists, farmers, Agri. extension agents and other value chain players including youth and rural women (06 events)

Implementation Design

Civil Work

• Construction of Female Residential / Hostel Facilities.
• Repair / renovation of Engineering wing blocks, Farm Manager office block & Bachelor's Hostel

Overall Targets

The R&D program will focus on following targets in order to achieve objectives of the project referred above:   

Up-scaling of Blackberry R&D Program

• Standardizing nursery protocols and techniques (03 techniques: air layering, tip culture, cuttings etc.)
• Strengthening germplasm (importing/collecting 05 new varieties from the world with minimum of thirty plants of each variety and these varieties will be evaluated at BARI, Chakwal)
• Establishing modern nursery infrastructure (semi-automated propagation unit)
• Production of 15,000 certified nursery plants for provision to the project beneficiaries
• Establishing 03 multiplication blocks in public and private sector,
• Conducting 06 adaptability trials in other ecologies of Punjab (South / Centre)
• Establishing pilot scale blackberry orchards at growers’ fields (15 acres / 110 sites) in Pothwar with minimum of one kanal per orchard
• Conducting 06 research studies to standardize production technology and development of value-added products
• Training of participating farmers by organizing workshops/seminars and field days for knowledge sharing and promotion (02 events) and Capacity building of scientists (01 events)
• Capacity building of educated youth for industry (02 Agri. graduates/post-graduate students)
• Providing technical assistance to participating growers and other value chain players to facilitate adoption
• Developing 05 publications including technical reports, brochures and training manual in Urdu/English. 

Up-scaling of Groundnut R&D Program

• Construction of female residential/hostel facility (~20 rooms) to accommodate post-graduate students and female scientists of BARI to enable them a secure accommodation for office / lab working beyond office hours).  
• Import 05 high oleic groundnut genotypes (minimum 03 kg or less seed per genotype), their characterization and integration in the breeding program of Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal and Groundnut Research Station Attock for their evaluation.
• Conduct demand-driven research experiments (12) with focus on development of high yielding, disease tolerant varieties and value addition, in Pothwar. 
• Explore possibilities of double cropping in Peanut areas including development of short-duration genotypes.
• Production of quality seed of latest climate resilient peanut varieties (180 acres) in collaboration with public/private sector
• Establish 18 demo plots to demonstrate yield potential of latest groundnut varieties and production technology in collaboration with Agi. Extension/community-based extension workers.
• Establish/strengthen 02 community-based seed banks.
• Conduct varietal studies (06) on pilot scale in Southern Punjab including Cholistan 
• Trainings for the capacity building of farmers, master trainers and other value chain players by organizing workshops/seminars /field days for knowledge sharing and promotion (02 events) and Capacity building of scientists (01 events)
• Capacity building of educated youth for industry (02 Agri. graduates/post-graduate students)
• Providing technical assistance to participating farmers and other value chain players to facilitate adoption
• Developing 05 publications including technical reports, brochures and training manual in Urdu/English

Targets for 2023-24 

Types and number of beneficiaries

Farmers, professionals, nursery growers, extension agents, input/machinery manufacturers/suppliers and other value chain players, agriculture-graduates / post-graduates’ students (paid internees), scientific collaborating institutions, female scientists, youth and civil society.

Expected impact after completion of the project

Up-scaling of Blackberry and Groundnut Research Programs for Agri-business Promotion in Barani Region Punjabis basically a research project. The development of R&D solutions shall contribute to increasing blackberry and groundnut cultivation along with their value added products in the country through strengthening R&D facilities in the local environment, develop Good Blackberry and Groundnut Cultivation Practices for various stakeholders; develop capacity of farmers / growers to ensure availability of service providers to local farmers / community, development of national / international linkages and ultimately providing scientific evidence for a vibrant blackberry and groundnut sector. It will also assist industry to invest in value addition and lower the import cost of different value-added products of groundnut. It will also cause financial, economic and social benefits to small land holder and ultimately leads to employment generation.