LAHORE, April 19 (ABC): Pakistan has stepped up research to develop high-yield hybrid wheat. The move aligns with global efforts to produce climate-resilient crop varieties.
Leading agricultural institutions in Punjab are collaborating under a unified programme. Moreover, international experts are providing technical support.
“Hybrid wheat research is a joint project launched by various research institutes in Punjab,” said Dr Javed Ahmad, Chief Scientist at the Wheat Research Institute Faisalabad. He said the goal is to develop a variety with strong yield potential.
Talking to Wealth Pakistan, he said the initiative is led by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan. In addition, the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and WRI Faisalabad are active partners.
He said the collaboration aims to strengthen food security. At the same time, it helps the agriculture sector respond to climate change.
Joint research and global collaboration
Under the project, MNS University is working on hybrid wheat using Australian Blue Aleurone (BLA) technology. This method introduces a gene to control specific breeding traits.
Dr Ahmad said Richard Trethowan of the University of Sydney is providing technical support. He has developed a non-GMO hybrid wheat system after decades of research.
The system prevents self-pollination. As a result, it enables cross-breeding. Consequently, yields can rise by more than 20%. In addition, crops gain better resistance to disease and tolerance to heat and drought.
However, Pakistan’s environmental laws do not permit genetically modified crops. Even so, scientists can develop both GMO and hybrid varieties.
No commercial variety yet
Despite ongoing work, Pakistan has not developed a commercially viable hybrid wheat variety so far.
Dr Ahmad said hybrid wheat could deliver higher yields. Furthermore, it would offer better resistance to pests and diseases.
He added that China leads global research in hybrid wheat. Meanwhile, the United States, Australia and France are also making progress. However, no country has introduced hybrid wheat for large-scale commercial cultivation.
“Several global companies are preparing to introduce hybrid wheat commercially,” he said. Therefore, this could set a precedent for others.
Need for continuous innovation
Dr Ahmad stressed the need for continuous innovation in crop development. He said crop varieties lose yield potential over time. In addition, they become more vulnerable to pests and diseases.
“Agriculture is a constant contest between scientists and evolving pests,” he said.
Biotechnologists have welcomed the initiative. They are optimistic about its impact.
“The development of crops like rice, cotton and maize has already supported farmers,” said Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik, a former interim federal minister for food security.
He said researchers worldwide are working on hybrid wheat. However, no commercial variety has been launched yet.
He added that once commercialised, hybrid wheat could mark a major breakthrough. It could be comparable to the introduction of high-yielding varieties in the 1960s.
