A delegation of five wheat experts from Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) participated in the “2nd China-Pakistan Joint Wheat Molecular Breeding Conference” at Quaid-i-Azam University, and visited wheat research institutes in Islamabad and Faisalabad.
Wheat researchers from Pakistan and China discussed the opportunities to improve wheat seed productivity in Pakistan.
They recommended to use the specialized facultative wheat in the resource-poor areas of KPK and Balochistan to increase the wheat production. Dr. Zhonghu He, Director of the National Improvement Center at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Distinguished Scientist and Country Representative for the China Office of CIMMYT said that the primary goal is to establish an internationally renowned laboratory that will serve as a collaborative platform for researchers and experts from both China and Pakistan to work together on advancing wheat molecular breeding techniques and technologies.
Dr. Awais Rasheed from Quaid-i-Azam university said that the lab aims to leverage both countries’ collective expertise and resources to enhance wheat productivity improvement efforts. Vice Chancellor, Prof.
Dr. Niaz Ahmed Akhtar concluded that the shared commitment to addressing evolving challenges in wheat production and enhancing global food security reflects the bright future of wheat research endeavors in both nations.
