Scientists at the Agricultural Research Institute Tarnab (ARIT) in Peshawar have introduced three new wheat varieties that promise greater climate resilience and up to threefold increases in per-acre yields. This breakthrough aims to assist farmers struggling with climate challenges and declining agricultural productivity.
These climate-resilient crops are a part of sustainable agricultural practices, designed to meet current food demands while safeguarding future generations’ ability to produce food. The researchers have also developed a wheat seed variant specifically for rain-fed farming, addressing the province’s heavy reliance on rainfall for agriculture.
A report from ARIT shared with Dawn.com revealed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s wheat production is significantly below demand, producing only 1.4 million tonnes annually against a consumption requirement of 5 million tonnes. The report highlighted that approximately 51% of the province’s agricultural land depends on rainfall, making it particularly vulnerable to climate variability.
Challenges from Climate Change
Akhtar Ali, a senior agricultural scientist at ARIT, emphasized that climate change has severely impacted farming in the region over the past five years. “Delays in rainfall patterns and seasonal shifts have posed significant challenges for the agriculture sector,” Ali said. He noted that yields from existing wheat varieties have drastically declined, prompting the institute to develop new seeds better suited to current climatic conditions.
The newly developed seeds include two varieties: one for canal-irrigated areas and another for rain-fed regions. The canal-irrigated seed has the potential to produce up to three times more yield per acre than the existing varieties, Ali explained.
Adoption of Modern Techniques
Altaf Khan, another ARIT researcher, highlighted that achieving a sharp increase in wheat production requires a shift away from outdated farming practices. “The new seeds will only reach their full potential if modern farming techniques are adopted,” Khan stated. He urged farmers to incorporate scientific methods into their agricultural practices to maximize yields.
Static Wheat Production in KP
The ARIT report also noted that wheat production and cultivation areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have remained stagnant for nearly a decade. Between 2015 and 2023, the area under wheat cultivation increased marginally from 0.753 million hectares to 0.770 million hectares. Similarly, annual production ranged between 1.247 million and 1.47 million tonnes, leaving farmers dissatisfied with the yields.
Farmers like Marwan Khan from Charsadda shared concerns about rising production costs. In 2023, he received over Rs6,000 for 50 kg of wheat but was forced to reduce his wheat acreage by 20% due to price instability and high input costs. Another farmer, Ashfaq Ahmed, noted that traditional farming methods are no longer as efficient as they were two decades ago, requiring more fertilizers and pesticides to achieve desired yields. The rising costs of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, which have quadrupled in recent years, have further added to farmers’ challenges.
Innovation and Support Needed
The development of these new wheat varieties aligns with the evolving needs of farmers in KP. However, researchers stress the need for government support to make seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides more affordable. Raising awareness about the impacts of climate change on agriculture is also crucial to helping farmers adapt to the rapidly changing agricultural landscape.
Reference Link:- https://propakistani.pk/2024/12/16/3-new-varieties-of-climate-resistant-wheat-introduced/#google_vignette