RESEARCH AT NARC
CROP SCIENCES
10. Farm Machinery
NATURAL SCIENCES
SOCIAL SCIENCES
16. Social Sciences
AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATION
This carries out research in areas of animal health, animal nutrition, animal reproduction, breeding and dairy technology. Main research activities include quantitative genetics of native livestock and crossbreeding; cryopreservation of semen, embryo transfer and in-vitro fertilization; efficient utilization of agro-industrial by-products; development of calf starter and early weaning diet using indigenous feed ingredients; improved diagnostic methods and vaccine production and epidemiology of major livestock diseases; improving quality of raw milk and indigenous methods of dairy product manufacturing. This also has a Feed Technology Unit that directly serves livestock farmers by providing quality livestock feed and multi-nutrient blocks on nominal profit basis. A Livestock Research Station housing 350 cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats, supports research activities.
2. Aquaculture and Fisheries Research
This carries out research on breeding and genetics, improvement of culturable fishes, reservoir fish management, impact of ecological zones on fish production and conservation of fisheries resources. Current areas of focus are optimizing productivity of reservoir and mini dam fisheries in Pothwar region and research on fish parasites and newly emerging diseases.
The is organized into commodity oriented research programmes that include national coordinated programme of wheat, rice, oilseeds, pulses, sugar crops, fodder, maize ( picture on page 3 ), sorghum and millet. The major research focus is on developing high yielding varieties and efficient and resource saving crop management techniques; germplasm enhancement and evolution of varieties; tillage and stand establishment; yield gap analysis; suitability of cropping systems; climate change and crop modeling. It also evaluates promising varieties across the agro-ecological zones in National Uniform Yield Trials and makes data available to Varietal Evaluation Committee (VEC).
The introduces and evaluates the germpalsm of fruits, flowers, vegetables and potato for selection of varieties suited to various agro-ecological zones of the country. Besides, research on crop/orchard management, mushroom cultivation, production of nursery/seeds of vegetables and potato, development of post harvest technologies relating to quality maintenance, packaging, storage and processing are also undertaken.
Research areas include plant tissue culture and genetic engineering. Plant tissue culture focuses on quality potato seed production, virus elimination and micro-propagation of banana and sugarcane, clonal multiplication of ornamental plants and varietal improvements of rice/wheat through anther culture. Genetic engineering section has initiated research on development of basmati rice resistant to bacterial blight and transgenic basmati expressing rol-C gene.
The research at this includes study of pre and post harvest damages and losses caused by insect pests, weeds and vertebrate wild life. Insect pest management focuses on cotton, sugarcane, vegetables, stored grains and problem of resistance to pesticides. Major emphasis is on investigation leading to develop sustainable pest management models for these crops and crop products. Research on vertebrate wild life pests affecting crops and stored grains for the management of field rats, birds, porcupines and wild pigs is also undertaken. The also focuses on the management of weeds through biological control techniques and efficient use of herbicides.
This is concentrating on fungal, bacterial, nematode and viral diseases of crops of economic importance. Key areas of research are identification of sources of resistance to stem, leaf and stripe rust, powdery mildew and karnal bunt of wheat, rice and maize diseases from diverse international sources; management of major diseases, like stalk rot of maize, charcoal rot of sunflower, powdery scab, late blight and cyst nematode of potato, bakanae disease of rice, canker of citrus, bacterial wilt of solanaceous crops, leaf curl virus of cotton and chilies; bunchy top virus of banana; and potential of biopesticides. The is developing expertise in molecular biology for the investigation of genomic diversity among pathogens as well as providing disease diagnostic and advisory service to the farmers.
This is conducting research to determine pesticide residues in the food chain especially in ground water, fruits and vegetables. The is conducting research for the judicious use of agrochemicals to safeguard the beneficial microorganisms. It is also providing advisory service on the use of agrochemicals to farmers.
The collects and preserves the genetic resources of various crops both from national and international s to save them from extinction and make them available to scientists throughout the country. The indigenous material is also tested for various biotic and abiotic stresses in collaboration with crop commodity programmes. The other priority areas are conservation and maintenance of orthodox seeds in the gene bank; maintenance of vegetatively propagated crops; keeping the germplasm free of pathogens and pests and documentation of genetic resources for access through electronic media .
FMI has been working for the promotion of agricultural mechanization in the country through designing, performance evaluation and commercialization of appropriate farm machinery. It is equipped with required facilities of designing, prototype fabrication workshop, and farm machinery testing laboratory and testing yard. Its activities have been mainly grouped in crop establishment engineering; harvesting and threshing engineering; post harvest engineering; industrial and mechanization research and farm machinery testing and standardization. Recently, FMI has developed and commercialized paddy transplanter and zero-till drill and is working on pneumatic row crop planter, hold-on paddy thresher, solar dryer for fruits and vegetables and dual mode drill.
The focuses on soil fertility and plant nutrition; soil biology and biochemistry; soil salinity and stress physiology and soil mineralogy, and soil physics. Research on diagnosis and amelioration of nutrient disorders in crop plants; determine nutrient requirement of the crops, improve efficiency of applied nutrients, exploit soil microflora for bio-fertilizers and bio-composting for sustaining soil health and crop productivity is also underway. Research is also carried out on improving productivity of salt affected soils through soil reclamation and biosaline agriculture approach, mineralogical characterization of benchmark soils and amelioration of adverse soil physics conditions for enhancing crop productivity under different cropping systems.
The carries out interdisciplinary research to optimize water use and develop healthy balance between resource utilization and conservation. Thrust areas of research are irrigation system and management; soil and water conservation, resource use planning using geographic information system and remote sensing; groundwater management; wastes and wastewater, renewable energy resources and hydrology. The focuses on skimming wells, pressurized irrigation systems, precision planting on permanent beds and water use efficiency, salinity management, alternate energy sources for pumping, improved efficiency of diesel pumpsets and geo-synthetic lining of channels .
The collects and selects germplasm for different ecological zones and evaluates the forage quality, identify and multiply multipurpose trees for Pothwar plateau; develop management strategies for the wildlife habitat and population status. The is also working on sloping agriculture land technology modules for different farming system.
The works on behavior of potash in Pakistani soils. Research is being focused on potash dynamics in soil and plants and monitoring the long term use of different sources of potassium.
The focuses on honeybee and sericulture research. Honeybee research is aimed at breeding of honeybee queens, management of colonies, pest and disease control, development of low cost beekeeping equipment, recycling and processing of wax of Apis spp. This programme also concentrates on preparation of value-added products and training of farmers in the adoption of beekeeping technology for conservation, biodiversity and income generation. Research on rearing of silkworm to evolve pure lines for production of hybrid silk seed; develop silkworm management technology for maximization of cocoon yield, management of silkworm diseases; improve mulberry cultivation and maintenance of mulberry nursery for distribution of plants among the interested farmers is also under way .
The comprising Agricultural Economics Research Unit (AERU) and Computer and Statistical Section (CSS) focus on socio-economic and ecological viability of new technologies, identify constraints and the pattern of diffusion process, to evaluate social benefits and costs of new technologies/interventions and their socio-economic consequences.
The major areas of research are baseline/benchmark survey, farming system, project evaluation, impact assessment, policy analysis, farm planning and management issues, economics of improved technologies, technology verification and adoption surveys, improvement of experimental design, field variability studies and women’s role in agriculture, etc.
17. Agricultural Communication
The comprises Scientific Information, Audio Visual Communication, Publications and Management Information System. A large numbers of scientists from within and outside NARC and students of different educational s avail the database facility of ACI. PARC web site has been established in Jun 1999 and Home Pages containing vital information about the organization have been developed. Three out of four DSI-developed databases have online access on Internet. Audio Visual programmes on various technologies developed at the Centre are produced at AVC and telecast from various channels of PTV. The Publications Directorate is publishing a monthly newsletter, research Journal, annual report, brochures and leaflets on various topics, etc. Current focus of the is on the development of Management Information System, which could cater to the needs of planners, research managers, scientists and progressive farmers ( picture on page 11 ).
The imparts theoretical and practical trainings in various disciplines to federal, provincial and international scientists, extension workers and progressive farmers. Facilities at ATI include lecture halls, computer lab., conference room, hostels and cafeteria.
The regularly holds field days, exhibitions, fairs, colloquia, disease and pest control and promotional campaigns for farmers in collaboration with agro based industry. The is maintaining an exhibition hall to abreast visitors about the quality and dimensions of research undertaken at NARC.
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