A meeting of Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) on recommendation of newly developed potato and banana varieties, was held at Pakistan Agriculture Research Council on this Wednesday. The meeting was presided over by Chairman PARC, Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, approved general cultivation of six and two varieties of potato and banana respectively. The meeting was attended by Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Member (Plant Sciences) PARC / Chairman VEC along-with technical members from NARS, private seed companies and other high officials.

    Dr. Azeem Khan, Chairman, PARC emphasized that the private sector should share wisdom with PARC scientists for the uplift of country’s agriculture and appreciated the role of PARC coordination and trust of private sector in the system. He also urged that the types of agricultural commodities should be introduced in line with the agricultural and regional environment of Pakistan so that an ordinary farmer can benefit from these new modern varieties to increase his sources of income.

    Mr. Muhammad Farooq Ch., Coordinator Horticulture, PARC briefed the participants about the varieties being put before them for approval. New Banana varieties NIGAB-1 and NIGAB-2 is high yielding than Basrai variety for nutrition and consumer acceptability while new varieties of potato crop are prepared which can withstand severe weather conditions and have strong immunity against diseases. 

Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Member (PSD) PARC / Chairman VEC concluded the meeting with vote of thanks and appreciated the role of scientists and Coordinator in particular for convening the VEC meeting.