The Sugarcane Research and Development Board (SRDB) held its 40th Board of Governors meeting at NSTHRI, Makli, Thatta, chaired by Zaka Ashraf. The meeting focused on strengthening research in sugarcane and banana, developing high-yielding varieties, improving sugar recovery, and promoting modern agricultural technologies. The delegation also reviewed ongoing research activities and emphasized ensuring that scientific advancements reach farmers to improve agricultural productivity.
The meeting discussed modern research on sugarcane, development of new high-yielding varieties, improvement in sugar recovery, banana research and the promotion of modern agricultural technologies. The participants also discussed measures to further strengthen research activities and facilitate farmers.
Prior to the meeting, SRDB Chairman Zaka Ashraf, PARC Member Crop Sciences Dr. Sajjad Ali Rao, Director General SARC Karachi Pervez Ahmed Baloch and SRDB Chief Executive Officer Dr. Shahid Afghan, along with other officials and experts, visited NSTHRI Makli.
During the visit, NSTHRI Director Dr. Muhammad Chohan briefed the visiting delegation about the scientific and research activities being carried out at the institute. The delegation inspected various sugarcane and banana research experiments, including Fizz, bud chip and different trials, besides visiting the newly established photoperiod chamber.
The visiting officials appreciated the research work and modern technologies being developed at NSTHRI Makli. They said that significant work was being carried out on sugarcane and banana research at the institute, which was a matter of pride for Pakistan. They observed that modern research and technologies would help facilitate farmers and contribute to improving agricultural productivity.
PARC Member Crop Sciences Dr. Sajjad Ali Rao assured that Pakistan Agricultural Research Council would extend all possible support to further advance sugarcane and banana research at NSTHRI Makli, develop new sugarcane varieties and introduce technologies aimed at facilitating farmers.
The BOG meeting was attended by Dr. Asif Tanveer, Eminent Scientist SRDB; Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture Faisalabad; and Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman, Chief Scientist AARI Faisalabad, besides other scientists and experts.
Representatives of the Secretary Agriculture, Secretary Food, Secretary Industries and Cane Commissioner Punjab also attended the meeting. Progressive farmers and representatives of various relevant institutions also participated.
The meeting stressed the need to increase sugarcane production and sugar recovery, promote modern agricultural research, develop improved varieties and ensure that research outcomes and new technologies reach farmers for their benefit.
