At the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), a meeting of the Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) was held on Wednesday. The goal was to discuss recommendations on the newly-developed potato and banana varieties. The gathering, which was presided over by PARC Chairman Dr Muhammad Azeem Khan, approved general cultivation of six potato and two banana varieties.
The PARC chairman emphasized that the private sector should share its wisdom with PARC scientists for the uplift of country’s agriculture sector. He said that such agricultural commodities should be introduced in line with the agricultural and regional environment of Pakistan that could facilitate an ordinary farmer in increasing his sources of income.
An article on Profit.pakistantoday.com.pk explains how PARC Horticulture Coordinator Muhammad Farooq Chaudhry briefed the participants about the varieties being put before them for approval. “New Banana varieties, NIGAB-1 and NIGAB-2, are high yielding as compared to Basrai variety for nutrition and consumer acceptability, while new varieties of potato crop have been prepared that can withstand severe weather conditions and have strong immunity against diseases.”