The institute is located at a distance of four kilometers from the Faisalabad city on Jhang Road, Faisalabad. It stands in the flat plains of Northeast of Punjab, between longitude 73º74 East, latitude 30º31.5 North, with an elevation of 184m (604 ft.) above sea level. Research on vegetable crops in this part of the sub-continent was started with the creation of a Vegetable Section in 1938, headed by an Assistant Botanist, at the Punjab Agri. College and Research Institute, Lyallpur (now called Faisalabad). In 1945, this Section was merged with the Fruit Section headed by a Fruit Specialist. In 1950, it was detached from the Fruit Section and a Vegetable Botanist was appointed to supervise the task of vegetable research. With the bifurcation of research and education in 1962, the vegetable section became a component of the newly created Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Lyallpur.This Vegetable Section was upgraded to the status of Vegetable Research Institute (VRI) in 1975.
Since then this institute has developed 65 high yielding better varieties/hybrids possessing biotic and abiotic stresses / tolerance. This institute has also developed technology for growing off-season vegetables under plastic tunnels. This institute has got the status of pioneer institution for the supply of vegetable breeding material / germplasm to other organizations of the country for research. The Vegetable Research Institute has been providing the advisory services to the vegetable growers and vegetable seed producers through Electronic and Print masses for enhancement of vegetable production in the country.
Mission
Improved and diversified vegetables varieties/hybrids using conventional and modern breeding approaches under different biotic/ abiotic stresses for sustainable production under climate change scenario
Objectives
- Evolution of superior Open Pollinated Varieties/ Hybrids
- Development of production technology of newly evolved genotypes
- Interaction with the farmers to identify field problems
- Designing research according to farmer’s field issues
- Collaboration with Universities and other Research Organizations
- Publication of research findings in National and International journals
- Training of master trainers (Agri. Extension & Seed Companies)
- Provision of pre-basic / basic vegetable seed to FSC/PSC/ Seed companies as per availability
- Promotion of Kitchen Gardening