COORDINATED VEGETABLES PROGRAMME

NARC, Islamabad

INTRODUCTION 

Vegetable crops are very important due to their higher yield potential, low cost of production and higher nutritional value being the added attributes. Vegetables are comparatively rich source of vitamins and minerals, which are essential for the maintenance of good health and resistance against diseases. Due to progressive development in the country, the level of nutrition and demand for a variety of food are increasing but the productivity level is not increasing accordingly. The main reasons for low yield are poor quality seed, low yielding cultivars, inadequate plant protection measures and un-awareness of vegetable growers about modern production technologies.

HISTORY:
Vegetable cooperative research programme was started at federal level in 1981 with the aim to conduct research work to resolve problems for yield enhancement in collaboration with following cooperative units at provincial level.

• Vegetable Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad

• Singh Horticultural Research Institute, Mirpurkhas

• Agricultural Research Station (North), Mingora, Swat

• Agricultural Research Institute, Sariab, Quetta

OBJECTIVES:

• Germplasm collection, evaluation of economically important vegetables

• To develop high yielding varieties tolerant to specific biotic and a biotic stresses
  through crop improvement

• To standardize vegetable seed and production technologies

• To develop year round production technology (off-season)

• Dissemination of developed technologies

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Cabbage 

• Carrot 

• Chilies 

• Garlic

• Okra

• Onion

• Tomato

TECHNOLOGIES 

Off-Season vegetable production under plastic tunnel

The work was started in 1988 and technologies of tomato and cucumber production under plastic tunnel were developed. The technologies were demonstrated at farmer's fields through a project "Growing vegetables off-season" which was executed through out Pakistan in 1994-97.
Raising of vegetables under plastic tunnels was not practised in early nineties but at present these are being grown in the country over 500 acres.

Raising early vegetable seedlings under plastic tunnel
The technique of raising vegetable seedlings in small plastic tubes for early vegetable production was developed. At present this technology is being practiced and followed by vegetable growers through out Pakistan.

Integrated weed management in vegetable crops
Integrated weed management in cabbage, onion, chili, peas and tomato was developed. This technology is being adopted by vegetable growers in Pakistan.

Cultivation of autumn onion in Punjab

The technology of cultivation of autumn crop of onion in Punjab through onion set was developed. At present this technology is being practiced/adopted gradually by vegetable growers in the country.

Raising mixed vegetables for higher profitability

Four crops i.e. green onion, radish, bulb onion and chilies were successfully produced in a year. Raising mixed vegetables is more profitable than single vegetable crop. This technology has recently been developed and is being disseminated to vegetable growers for raising their income.

Varieties in pipeline

Activities performed (last 5 years)

Training facilities to end-users

• Training facilities were provided to farmers/research /extension staff in the following areas:

• Kitchen gardening

• Vegetable/seed production technologies

• Off-Season vegetable production

PUBLICATIONS 

PUBLICATIONS

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[Last updated: March, 2008]

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