Annual wheat planning meeting, 2021-22 was held at Wheat Research Institute AARI, Faisalabad on 27-28 September 2021. Mr. Jamshaid Cheema (Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Food Security) chaired the inaugural session while provincial minister of Agriculture Punjab Mr. Hussain Jehanian Gurdezi was guest of honor. All stakeholders from research, farming community, academia and private sector were taken on board to discuss the issues and devise strategies for better wheat yield. Dr. Javed Ahmad (Director, Wheat Research Institute) highlighted the current status of wheat research and production and future research. Dr Attiq ur Rehman Ratu (National wheat coordinator PARC) gave a brief presentation highlighting the current status of wheat production in Pakistan and international trends. He mentioned that wheat production in Pakistan is comparable to word average and investment in wheat crop harness manifold economic gains. He briefed the participants about the ongoing research activities and upcoming projects which are focused on the nutritional enhancement of wheat crop and to combat the changing climate scenario. Dr. Marshal David (USDA representative) briefed the participants about the main objectives of WPEP (Wheat productivity enhancement program). Dr. T. P. Tiwari (CIMMYT country representative) highlighted the collaborative ventures of CIMMYT and wheat research program, Pakistan. Dr. Muhammad Yaqoob (NPD, PSDP Project) emphasized on the productivity enhancement of wheat through mechanized farming. Mr. Syed Hussain Jahanian Gardezi (Provincial minister for agriculture) appreciated the tremendous efforts of wheat scientists in achieving the self-sufficiency in wheat production and ensuring food security for the nation. Mr Jamshed Iqbal Cheema urged to reduce the yield gap in wheat by adoption of modern crop management techniques
Following recommendations were suggested after thorough discussion
• Rust should be managed by resistant varieties
• The breeders should seek for widening genetic diversity. They should find out new germplasm resources. National wheat coordination program will help in germplasm import.
• Breeders should work more efficiently for release of high yielding rust resistant varieties and old susceptible varieties should be delisted.
• The house appreciated Punjab Seed Corporation and WRI Faisalabad for making efforts for delisting of wheat varieties. The house recommended that all provinces should follow this delisting practice.
• The breeding Institutes should enhance their capacity of BNS seed production and seed production should be according to seed replacement rate.
• In NUWYT, only those entries will be entertained that will compete in PUWYT and disease screening nursery.
• NUWYT data should be based on agro-ecological zones and recommendations should be based on it.
• Wheat travelling seminar is very good activity and it should be maintained in its present form.
• All the provincial research institutes and PARC institutes should arrange training courses for extension workers on rust and production technology.