BUNER: Agriculture experts here on Thursday conducted “Onion Seed Crop Management” training for 38 onion growers of Shuga village.
The need-based training was organized by the World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) in collaboration with the Agriculture Research Institute, Swat. The experts, after the training, declared Shuga village a Seed Village.
The training covered all the management practices of onion seed crop followed by practical demonstration and discussions.
The activity, conducted under the Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP) for Pakistan funded by USAID, works to increase agricultural productivity and incomes through the promotion and dissemination of improved technologies and practices in the cultivation and care of wheat, maize, rice, livestock, fruit and vegetables.
AVRDC is a partner with the International Maize and Wheat Center (CIMMYT) and the Pakistan Agricultural research Council (PARC) is implementing this project.
Dr. Imtiaz country representative AIP was chief guest on the occasion where 17 officials, including Dr. Mansab Ali, Team Leader AVRDC Pakistan; Dr. Abdul Bari, Director, Agriculture Research Institute Swat; Dr. Faqeer Gul, Director, Agriculture Research Station Buner; Mr. Muhammad Uzair, District Director, Agri. Extension, Mingora Swat; Mr. Mazullah Khan, Vegetable Seed Specialist, AVRDC; and Mr. Gohar Iqbal, M & E Specialist; and other scientists also attended the training. Mr. Noor Habib, Research officer Vegetable; Dr. Fazal Maula, Entomologist; and Dr. Roshan Ali, soil scientist delivered lectures and hands-on practical training for the participants.
The training was facilitated by Noor Habib, Research Officer; Javid Ali, Field Assistant; Iqbal Hussain, Research Associate; and Sheeraz Ahmad, Training Expert/Ag Extensionist AVRDC.
In practical demonstration attention was on maintaining genetic purity of SWAT-1 (Onion Variety), through extensive rouging off-type plants and tackling diseased plants on time. The farmers were thankful to AVRDC and ARI Mingora for providing continuous support and guidance. They shared their problems regarding seed threshing, insects & diseases, marketing and provision of inputs with the officials. Dr. Abdul Bari, in his inaugural speech, welcomed the participants in the training and highlighted activities that ARI undertakes for the well-being of the farmers. Dr. Mansab, AVRDC also stressed upon participants the need to adopt innovative techniques to increase production.
To emphasize his point, Dr. Mansab also announced field implement kits for the farmers. Dr. Muhammad Imtiaz, AIP officially declared Shuga as a Seed Village and ensured all support from the AIP to solve problems that the farmers there face He announced the provision of an onion seed thresher for the Shuga grower association and distributed certificates at the end of the training.
