PARC MOUNTAIN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

MARC has been making strenuous efforts for building infrastructure for agricultural research in Gilgit-Baltistan as this aspect was not given due attention in the past. Brief introduction of the research stations established by MARC is as follows:

MARS, Chilas

It is a multidisciplinary station formed over an area of about 5 ha in Chilas town. It consists of a farm for conducting field trials, a tissue culture lab and an office with computer facilities for data processing.  Wheat, maize, fruit and vegetables are the major target crops for research. The tissue culture lab is primarily developed for potato seed production.

MARS, SKARDU

The station is mandated to conduct agricultural research with focus on identification of crop varieties for single cropping zone. The available facilities include a small research farm and an office constructed on self helps basis. The station works in collaboration with the farmers for improvement of agricultural productivity.

MARS, Astore

The basic purpose of establishing this station is the conservation and environment friendly exploitation of medicinal plant resource in Gilgit-Baltistan. Astore is considered a hub of wild medicinal plants in Gilgit-Baltistan. Domestication of wild medicinal plants is tested at a small research farm established by MARC from its own resources. 

TRMS, Juglote

The station is located almost at the tail of Chakarkot Nullah (stream) near Juglote. The sole objective of the station is development of fisheries particularly trout production through research and multiplication for large scale pond culture in Gilgit-Baltistan. A hatching room and raceways of different sizes have been constructed for breeding and rearing trout. The station is producing hydro electricity for self use and fsih rearing activities.