Innovation in cultivation and research of local hybrid vegetable varieties imperative to meet food requirements

FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Mar, 2026) Dr. Ghulam Sarwar Additional Director General Agriculture (Research) Punjab said that in view of changing climatic challenges and rapidly growing population, increasing per-acre vegetable yield and promoting the cultivation of local hybrid varieties has become an urgent necessity.

He urged the agricultural scientists to utilize all available resources to introduce innovation in research and play a leading role in developing high-yielding hybrid vegetable varieties.

He expressed these views while addressing the meeting of the “Annual Kharif Research Program 2026” organized by the Vegetable Research Institute at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad.

The meeting was attended by Director Vegetable Research Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, Director Agricultural Information Faisalabad Dr. Asif Ali, Director Agronomy Dr. Naveed Akhtar Siddiqui, progressive farmer Chaudhry Maqsood Ahmed, CEO of a private seed company Jaleel Khan Kakar, vegetable experts including Ghazanfar Hammad, Amir Lateef, Sobia Ejaz, Kashif Nadeem, Muhammad Ameen, Dr. Waseem, Dr. Kashif Rasheed, Dr. Atif, Aqsa Tahir, Atlas Ameen, and a large number of agricultural scientists.

Dr. Ghulam Sarwar said that urgent measures are required to enhance the production of important Kharif vegetables in Punjab including cucumber, chili, capsicum, bottle gourd, pumpkin, okra, ridge gourd, sponge gourd, bitter gourd, melon, watermelon, and tinda.

Director Vegetable Research Dr.

Muhammad Iqbal, while giving a detailed briefing to the participants, said that vegetable cultivation is more profitable compared to traditional crops and ensures higher production and income from smaller landholdings.

He said that since its establishment, the Vegetable Research Institute has introduced more than 80 improved varieties which have gained great popularity among farmers, and efforts are ongoing to ensure timely availability of quality seeds.

He also highlighted that vegetables like peas are rich in protein, making them a cost-effective alternative to meat.

During the meeting, agricultural nutrition experts informed the participants that vegetable consumption in Pakistan is alarmingly lower than global standards.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the recommended daily intake of vegetables is 300–350 grams per person whereas in Pakistan it is only 120–150 grams, contributing to various health issues.

The experts further said that vegetables are rich in Vitamin A, C, thiamine, folic acid, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber.

Regular consumption helps boost immunity against lung cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, and cardiovascular diseases, and aids in the elimination of harmful substances from the body, they added.

Later, the meeting, after detailed deliberations and necessary technical amendments, formally approved the “Annual Kharif Research Program 2026” of the Vegetable Research Institute.