Farmer-centric research imperative to drive agri productivity: DG Agriculture

Director General (DG) Agriculture (Farms & Training) Punjab Dr. Ishtiaq Hassan has said that translating agricultural research from laboratories to farmers’ fields is need of the hour as farmer-centric research is imperative for increasing agri productivity

FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2026) Director General (DG) Agriculture (Farms & Training) Punjab Dr. Ishtiaq Hassan has said that translating agricultural research from laboratories to farmers’ fields is need of the hour as farmer-centric research is imperative for increasing agri productivity.

Chairing a meeting at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) on Thursday, he approved 90 experiments and finalized the annual research program for Kharif Crops 2026.

The agricultural experts and scientists presented detailed briefings on research priorities and production strategies for the upcoming season.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ishtiaq Hassan said that agricultural research must be made “farmer-friendly” and aligned with the challenges posed by climate change. He said that the Primary objective of every research initiative should be to enhance per-acre yield. He stressed the importance of effective implementation of the approved program under adaptive research and said that timely dissemination of modern agricultural recommendations to the farmers is imperative for agricultural progress. He said that the core purpose of adaptive research is to ensure that scientific findings directly benefit the farmers at grassroots level.

He informed the participants that total 90 experiments would be conducted during Kharif 2026 to evaluate new technologies and seed varieties under local agro-climatic conditions. The results would help provide effective and evidence-based guidance to the growers, he added.

Earlier, Research Officer Dr. Javed Iqbal briefed the participants on the scope of annual program, experimental designs and expected outcomes while adaptive research scientists presented zone-wise research proposals.

Among those who attended the meeting were Additional DG Crop Reporting Service Faisalabad Ejaz Ahmad, Additional DG Agriculture (Pest Warning) Faisalabad Ahmad Naveed Hassan, Chief Scientist Ayub Research Dr. Qurban Ali, Chief Scientist Pulses Dr. Khalid Hussain, Director Agricultural Information Faisalabad Dr. Asif Ali, Director Agricultural Engineering Engr. Maqsood Ahmad and Prof. Dr. Ejaz Ashraf of University of Agriculture Faisalabad in addition to other senior officials.

Later, the meeting unanimously approved the Kharif 2026 Research Program at its conclusion.