Dr. Javed Ahmad, Chief Scientist, Wheat Research Institute, Faisalabad briefing to S. M Tanveer, Minister for Agriculture, Punjab about the advantages of Happy seeder in rice-wheat cropping system for timely wheat planting after rice, less input requirements and soil enrichment with organic matter. He briefed about high yielding wheat varieties and elite lines of Wheat Research Institute, Faisalabad in pipeline. He also told that Punjab accounts for 76% of the total national wheat production from 16 million acres, with production targets of 25.6 million tons. Developed 88 varieties, most recent are Arooj-22, V-19347, Dilkash, Subhani, Akbar, Nawab, Sadiq, Champion. Stating the success stories regarding national food security he shared that wheat varieties and their Production Technology developed by AARI Scientists since decades have occupied more than 96% area under wheat cultivation in Punjab due to wider adaptability, higher yield potential and stresses tolerance traits in changing climate scenario. Having a substantial yield potential of 80 monds/acre in irrigated and 53 monds/acre in rain-fed conditions. The new varieties are bio-fortified (high Zinc and Iron), tolerant to heat (up to 45℃), lodging and diseases (rust & smut).
