A National Training Workshop and Exhibition titled "DNA Fingerprinting of Crops under Plant Breeder's Right Rules" was held on June 19, 2023, at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad. This workshop was organized by Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Faisalabad, to acquaint agricultural scientists with the DNA fingerprinting technique, related modern technologies of varietal identification and importance of this technology for the varietal approval process under the newly enforced Plant Breeder's Right Rules. Master trainers from renowned research institutes of Pakistan provided training to approximately 197 participants belonging to 21 allied research institutes across the province of Punjab.Dr. Muhammad Akhtar, the Chief Scientist AARI, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The training workshop commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran and Naat Shreef by Dr. Rizwan Bashir. In his welcome address, Dr. Muhammad Akhtar emphasized the significance of DNA fingerprinting in the crop varietal approval process and acknowledged the commendable role played by the scientists of the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute (ABRI) in this field.
A presentation providing an overview of DNA fingerprinting of crops was delivered by Dr. Sajid ur Rahman, Chief Scientist. Dr. Muhammad Arif, DCS, NIBGE introduced trainees to the importance of various DNA fingerprinting methodologies. Dr. Amjad Hameed, Principal Scientist, NIAB delivered a talk on DNA barcoding for crop identification. Dr. Ibrar, NGS Expert from Alpha Genomics, Islamabad, enlightened the audience with the latest sequencing-based DNA fingerprinting techniques. Afterward, Dr. Momina Hussain, Assistant Professor at the University of Okara, discussed bridging mutational and genomic approaches for the development of novel wheat germplasm. Mrs. Shakra Jamil, Botanist Biotechnology, ABRI, Faisalabad, delivered the final lecture, summarizing the DNA fingerprinting work conducted at ABRI.In his concluding remarks, Dr. Sajid ur Rahman expressed gratitude to the audience for participating in the training workshop and appreciated the efforts of ABRI scientists in organizing this highly informative event at short notice. Dr. Muhammad Akhtar, Chief Scientist AARI, distributed shields among the speakers to acknowledge their contributions.