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  4. Promoting research for enhancement of mash and lentil through early generation seed production to reduce pulse import bill

Promoting research for enhancement of mash and lentil through early generation seed production to reduce pulse import bill

Duration 
 2022-23 to 2026-27
Total Cost  Rs. 119.966 Million
Allocation for 2023-24  Rs. 43.117 Million
Location 
 Pulses Research Institute Faisalabad

Objectives

  • To promote the cultivation of Mash and Lentil in the project area through developing high-yielding varieties and good crop establishment techniques.
  • To produce pre-basic and basic seed.

Implementation design

sponsoring

  • Govt. of Punjab, Agriculture Department through ADP 2022-23 

execution

  • Chief Scientist Agriculture (Research), AARI, Faisalabad

Civil work

  • Construction of one implement shed and rehabilitation of water supply system (office and colony) at Kallurkot, Bhakkar
  • Rehabilitation of office building & residences at GBRSS, Rakh Uttra
  • Rehabilitation of residences and sewerage system at PRSS, Sahowali

Overall targets

  • Installation of environmentally controlled tunnel structure.
  • Rehabilitation of green house to accelerate development of crop varieties/ technologies.
  • Building of sheds, threshing floors, farm fencing to safe guard the precious research material and germplasm at PRI, Fsd and sub stations.

Targets 2023-24

  • Acquisition, maintenance and evaluation of local and exotic germplasm of Mash and Lentil.
  • Evaluation of selected genotypes (16-20) of Mash and Lentil from YN-I in preliminary yield trials-I (PYT-I) at Faisalabad and outstations. 
  • Evaluation of 50-60 genotypes in yield nursery-II (YN-II) of Mash and Lentil for yield and relevant components at Faisalabad and outstations. 
  • Production of early generation seed of atleast one variety each of mash and lentil. 
  • Conducting agronomic trials at Faisalabad and outstations to optimize the production technology of Mash and Lentil.
  • Sowing of 500 single plants (selected in 2022-23) in plant to row families to produce BNS each of Mash and Lentil at Faisalabad and outstations.
  • Selection of 500 single plants of atleast one commercial variety each of Mash and Lentil for BNS production at Faisalabad and outstations.
  • Testing of mash genotypes suitable for intercropping with February sown sugarcane.
  • Shuttle breeding of suitable lines of lentil will be done in Northern areas.
  • Identification of suitable pockets/areas for the cultivation of Mash and Lentil.
  • Planting of atleast 1-acre demonstration plot in six Districts each of Mash and Lentil.
  • Conduction of farmer’s days in collaboration with different stakeholders in targeted Districts.
  • Training of scientists and staff of seed companies for quality seed production.
  • Atleast one line/genotype each of Mash and Lentil will be submitted to National Uniform Yield Trials (NUYT), and Distinguishing Uniformity Stability (DUS) studies.
  • Attempting 8-10 cross combinations (CP-Set-I) each of Mash and Lentil and harvesting of F0 seed of successful crosses.
  • Purchase of machinery and equipment.
  • Civil work
  • Report writing. 

Type and number of beneficiaries

  • Scientist of various institutions of AARI, Faisalabad.
  • Farmers
  • Exporters 

Expected impact after completion of project

The project will help develop new varieties and improve certified seed production and variety dissemination, thus increasing the area covered by the certified seed of mash and lentil. Through this project, atleast one variety each of mash and lentil having good yield will be developed. The old unapproved varieties of both mash and lentil will be replaced by improved high-yielding varieties, thus higher production and income to the farming community.