KNOWLEDGE BRIEF

By: Muhammad Junaid PIDE

Topic: An Analysis of Research and Development on Wheat Productivity in Pakistan:
Introduction:
Wheat belongs to the genus Triticum and the family Poaceae is the main staple food cultivated
all over the world. There are thousands of varieties of wheat the most common of which is
known as Triticum Aestivum, ahead of this one T. Durum and T. Spelta are the main types.
Pakistan is ranked 8th in the world for the production of Wheat and the total production is 24,946
thousand tons in 2020 growing at an average rate of 3.11% annually. But in 2022 its production
falls from 27.5 million tons to 26.4 million tons (Pakistan Economic Survey, 2021-22). The total
land area of Pakistan is 79.61 million hectares of which 28.5% of the land area is under
cultivation which is 22.74 million hectares and wheat takes 40.28% of the cultivated area for its
production ( (Land Utilization Statistics PBS)
Table 1: Area and Production of
wheat crop (area ‘000’ acres, production ‘000’
tones)

Fig 1: Wheat production areas of Pakistan (Source Agricultural Statistics

PBS)
 Wheat is a very important cash crop on which most of man's livelihoods depend especially in a
country like Pakistan where 70 percent of its population’s livelihood depends upon agricultural
activities. The productivity of wheat hence matters a lot to these people. Our main purpose here
is to determine the contribution and constraints of research and development in wheat
productivity in Pakistan.

Research and Development in the Wheat Sector:

The allocation of resources to research and development is very important because research
opens new ways to develop and cope with the prevailing problems. Hence, research is very
important as well it is also playing a vital role in the sector of the economy like Agriculture. It is
evident from the research activities how it contributes to the agriculture sector by enhancing
productivity (Evenson, 1967) .
Research and development (R&D) in wheat is an important area of study for improving the
productivity and profitability of this important crop. Wheat is a staple food for a large portion of
the world's population, and R&D efforts aim to increase yields, improve resistance to pests and
diseases, and develop new varieties that are better suited to different growing conditions. One
major area of R&D in wheat is the development of new varieties through plant breeding. This
involves using traditional methods, such as crossbreeding, as well as modern techniques such as
genetic engineering. Another important area of R&D in wheat is crop management. This
includes research on optimal planting and harvesting times, fertilizer use, irrigation, and pest and
disease control. This will improve the efficiency of wheat production and reduce costs for
farmers.
History of Research and Development in the Agriculture sector of Pakistan.
As it is evident from the literature that R and D are important for productivity, Pakistan also
adopted it to enhance the productivity of crops, especially wheat. The wheat revolution in
Pakistan remarkably enhanced productivity by establishing the national wheat research system,
which was started during colonial times in 1905 till 1947 by the British. After that, it started in
West Pakistan from 1947 to 1963 where different varieties of wheat were checked which
includes the semidwarf varieties from Mexico. Ahead of the separation of Bengal, the wheat
research system was then divided into two portions one was the earlier and the other was mid-
1970 in which there was still coordination among the research system regarding the wheat up to
1978. After 1978 Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) started its job as a coordinating
body for research purposes in the agriculture sector of Pakistan.
Objectives of PARC and its establishments.
According to PARC their sole purpose or mission is to improve the productivity, profitability,
and competitiveness of the agricultural sector in Pakistan by developing and transferring
appropriate technologies and fostering partnerships with relevant stakeholders. PARC’s research
activities cover a wide range of areas including crop improvement, natural resource management,
animal sciences, agro-forestry, and rural development. PARC works closely with other national
and international organizations to support the development of the agriculture sector of Pakistan
like collaboration with CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center). At the
national level, PARC established many research institutes working in different regions of
Pakistan like the National Agriculture Research Center Islamabad, Balochistan Agriculture
Research and Development Center Quetta, Arid Zone Research Institute Bahawalpur, National
Sugar and Tropical Horticulture and research institute SARC Thatta, Mountain Agricultural
Research Center Gilgit Baltistan ahead of these institutions academia is also engaged in research
activities relevant to agricultural activities like PMAS Arid Agricultural University Islamabad,
the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, University of Agriculture Peshawar, etc.
In Pakistan, PARC is working on various projects to improve wheat production by developing
new varieties that are resistant to disease, pests, and abiotic stress. PARC also focuses on crop
management techniques, seed production, and post-harvest management to improve the yield and
quality of wheat. In addition, international organizations such as the International Maize and
Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) also play a significant role in R&D in wheat, by
conducting research on wheat improvement and dissemination of new technologies to farmers in
different parts of the world. Now we will discuss the research activities conducted by PARC one
by one and will check how these research activities improve the yields of the wheat crop over
time.

Adoption of High-Yielding Varieties of Wheat Crops.

High-Yielding varieties HYVs were used before the independence during the colonial period as
well and new varieties were consistently used to enhance the productivity of the wheat crop.
Pakistan has released 152 wheat varieties so far, with a substantial portion occurring in the
previous ten years in Punjab (69), Sindh (25) KP (44) Baluchistan (8), and PARC (6),
respectively. Very few kinds have become known as mega varieties throughout this time. Due to
rust susceptibility or other factors, the majority of types are exhausted three to five years after
being introduced, leaving only their names in publications. In Pakistan, there are now more than
13 active wheat breeding schemes. However, these projects heavily rely on selection from
nurseries provided by donor organizations rather than the planned breeding needed to inoculate
the desired traits into indigenous races. (Ali, 2018)

Research and Development in Wheat Crop Management.

Wheat crop management includes research on optimal planting and harvesting times, fertilizer
use, irrigation, and pest and disease control.
1. Planting and harvesting times of crops in Pakistan.
 In Pakistan Depending on the crop's growing season, crops are divided into Rabi and Kharif
categories. Rabi crops are those that are sown during the winter months. (often referred to as the
"winter crop") in India and Pakistan. The harvesting of the crop is referred to as Rabi. Rabi
Crops are those that are raised during the winter months of November through April. Weeds like
wheat, barley, gram, and mustard are among the significant rabi crops. Crops for the Kharif
season are planted in the summer and harvested in the winter. Starting in June, seeds were sown,
and harvesting began in October or November. Rice, cotton, sugarcane, bajra, and maize are a
few of the significant Kharif crops.
2. Use of Fertilizers.
Fertilizers are massively used to enhance productivity in Pakistan. Smaller landowners readily
adopted nitrogenous chemical fertilizers once large-scale farmers did so. Larger amounts of
phosphatic fertilizers have also been employed recently. The total amount of nutrients used has
increased more than 20 times, and currently, almost all Pakistani farmers utilize chemical
fertilizers on some crops. These fertilizers were also used in massive amounts to launch the
“Green Revolution”. With that, nitrogen fertilizer production started rising explosively, and the
productive capacity becomes 1.2 million nutrient tons with a 90% share of nitrogenous fertilizer.
The current consumption of fertilizers for wheat production is 2.27 million nutrient tonnes in
2019-20 (Source: National Fertilizer Development Centre Islamabad). Urea is the major
fertilizer used in agriculture which is subsidized and hence productivity increases over time.
Other fertilizers are also enhancing productivity which is shown as.

3. Irrigation System in Agriculture.

NARC has conducted new crop management studies in several of the major irrigated agricultural
systems (rice-wheat, cotton-wheat). Additionally, a larger agronomic research effort for barani
areas was started. The irrigation system in Pakistan is primarily based on canals, which are fed
by rivers such as the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. The system is extensive, with over 160,000
miles of canals and distributaries providing water to over 20 million acres of land. The system
has had a significant impact on crop productivity in Pakistan, as it allows for the cultivation of
crops in areas that would otherwise be too dry for farming. Wheat production in Pakistan has
been facing water availability issues. It is estimated due to the water availability problem, the
agricultural product has decreased from 60% to 70% globally from 1995 to 2020, and in
developing countries like Pakistan production has decreased from 70% to 80% (S. Khan, 2006).
4. Pest and Disease Control.
For pests and disease control, PARC established a national wheat pathology research system
after the rust epidemic in 1977-78. This research system is then amalgamated with other plant
breeding research. (Amir., 1978) The NARC's wheat research is intended to support and
supplement provincial wheat programs. For the main crop rotations where wheat is cultivated,
emphasis is placed on management research, pathology research, disease epidemiology work,
milling and baking quality studies, and introductions and evaluations of new wheat germplasm.
In addition to some traditional wheat breeding work, the agricultural institutes run by the
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), which include the AEARC, Tandojam, the
NIAB, Faisalabad, and the NIFA, Tarnab, conduct basic research on cytology and mutant
breeding for wheat and triticale.

Seeds Production in Pakistan.

When government farms were set up to multiply wheat, cotton, and other crop seeds during
colonial times, Pakistan's wheat seed industry was born. Wheat seeds can be preserved by the
farmer, much like other self-pollinated crops, with minimal change to the genetic makeup or
production potential. Therefore, new commercial seed purchases are only required after the
adoption of a new variety. A significant initiative for the seed industry was created and carried
out in 1976 with the World Bank's financial and technical support. The foundation for a
contemporary seed industry was established that same year with the passage of a new national
seed law. The provinces were tasked with naming and releasing varieties for commercial use and
producing seeds for sale to farmers. The federal government was in charge of setting standards
for seed certification. The Punjab Seed Corporation (PSC) and the Sind Seed Corporation (SSC)
were founded as a result of the initiative. The PSC produces 10 times as much seed as the SSC,
making it the more dominating of the two.
Mechanization and Technological Advancement.
The integration of agricultural research findings into integrated production technology for the
nation's many agroecological zones has been emphasized by PARC. Despite the fact that
agricultural extension falls under the purview of the provinces, PARC conducts research on
extension techniques to identify the most effective channels for user validation and dissemination
of better production technologies. Additionally, PARC is in charge of extending enhanced
technology as part of its many projects' outreach components in a few particular localities, as
well as for the Islamabad Capital Territory (PARC, 1987). The Barani Agricultural Research and
Development Project and the Crop Maximization Program are two examples of its wheat-related
technology transfer initiatives. Mechanization in the wheat sector of Pakistan uses tractors,
threshers, and other equipment to increase efficiency and productivity on farms. The
mechanization of the wheat sector in Pakistan has been ongoing for several decades and has led
to increased yields and improved efficiency in the industry.

Constraints faced by Research and Development in Enhancing Wheat Productivity.

There are several constraints faced by research and development in the wheat sector of Pakistan
which are given as follows;
Lack of funding for R and D which is 0.5% of GDP is just like the pinch of salt for purpose of
research. Ahead of this the government and private sector in Pakistan have not adequately
invested in the research and development of the wheat sector, leading to a lack of resources for
research and development activities.
Farmers in Pakistan often lack access to information about market prices and demand, which
makes it difficult for them to make informed decisions about crop production and marketing. At
the same time, the infrastructure in Pakistan, including roads, storage facilities, and irrigation
systems, is often inadequate, making it difficult for farmers to transport and store their crops. The
overuse and mismanagement of the irrigation system have led to problems such as waterlogging
and salinization of soil, which can decrease crop productivity. Additionally, the system is also
facing challenges from climate change which is a major constraint for research and development
in the wheat sector of Pakistan. The country is facing erratic weather patterns, which are
affecting crop growth and production.
The biggest problem in the agricultural sector is the presence of different mafias and black
marketing. Our crop productivity level has increased, but the quality standard of crops and
average life shell of our crops are below the average which causes low demand for the crops in
the international markets. Without exporting crops to the international markets we cannot
develop our economy and without development, the economic living standards of the farmer
cannot improve. To improve the quality standard and average life shell of crops, research
institutions play an important role in Pakistan which is also facing problems. The research
institutions in Pakistan are facing limited capacity to conduct research and development activities
due to a lack of funding and human resources.
The political instability in the country is also affecting the research and development in the
wheat sector, as it is difficult to implement long-term policies and plans. In 2015, about 14000
acres of the National Research Centre for Agriculture were allocated to a Housing Scheme, and
in 2017 about 115 acres of Multan Cotton Research institutions were allocated to Punjab Police
hence these were the result of political influence which is deteriorating the already suffocating R
and D opportunities in the country.
There are also challenges to fully mechanizing the wheat sector, such as a lack of access to
financing for farmers to purchase machinery and a lack of infrastructure to support the transport
and storage of large quantities of wheat. The wheat sector in Pakistan still relies heavily on
traditional farming methods, which limits the adoption of modern technologies that could
increase productivity and efficiency.
Conclusion and Way Forward.
It goes without saying that wheat, which accounts for 38% of caloric intake and 80% of
nutritional needs in Pakistan, is a staple grain. Additionally, the 207 million people's annual
needs at 120 kg per person per year left a very little yearly surplus that can be finished in one
year because of any drought, disease, temperature, etc. Because of the worrisome fall in surface
water and unfavorable weather patterns, given the existing condition, such a dire situation cannot
be ruled out at any time as climate change is dictating its own terms in Pakistani agriculture.
Therefore, the only realistic way to complete the task envisioned above and free up land from the
wheat crop for other crops due to the limited space available to adjust crops required for food
and economic security is for per unit productivity to rise in all ecological zones of wheat at a
much faster pace.
A strong research effort for the evolution of High Yielding (HYV) varieties that are climate-
smart and suitable for each ecological location can effectively address these issues. The current
state of affairs, however, makes it extremely difficult to meet these demands, and things are only
becoming worse as time goes on. As a result, it is crucial to understand the crop that is directly
related to food security, economic security, and sovereignty. To do this, it is important to review
the R&D facilities that are currently available for corrective action, create a long-term action
plan for wheat production sustainability, reduce production costs, and boost farmers' profitability
by raising the marginal rate of return.

References:
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Economics, 49(5), 1415-1425.
Dowswell, C. R. (1989). Wheat research and development in Pakistan. CIMMYT.
Ali, Dr. M. A. (2018). Status Paper on Wheat Crop in Pakistan, PARC Islamabad.
Khan, S., Tariq, R., Yuanlai, C., & Blackwell, J. (2006). Can irrigation be
sustainable?. Agricultural Water Management, 80(1-3), 87-99.
Amir, M. (1978). Keynote Address: Wheat Research and Production Seminar. PARC Islamabad.
Khan, M. A., Javed, N., & Sahi, S. T. (2011). EIGHTH NATIONAL CONFERENCE. PLANT
PATHOLOGY.
PARC. (1987)a. Report of Wheat Travelling Seminar 1987. Islamabad.