Page 19 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (98)

China·South Asia
I engage in wheat research in Pakistan
我在巴基斯坦研究小麦
By Xinhua News Agency
Wheat is the most im-
portant food crop in Paki-
stan. The establishment of
the China-Pakistan Wheat
Molecular Breeding Inter-
national Joint Laboratory
has introduced advanced
Chinese agricultural tech-
nologies to Pakistan. This
collaboration provides
scientific and technolog-
ical support for ensuring
Pakistan’s national food
security and contributes
significantly to the friend-
ly development between
China and Pakistan.
小麦是巴基斯坦第一大粮
食作物，中国—巴基斯坦小麦
分子育种国际联合实验室的建
立，将中国农业新技术引入巴
基斯坦，为保障巴基斯坦国家
粮食安全提供了科技支撑，对
中巴两国的友好发展作出了重
要贡献。
18
□ 新华社
Driving into the Pakistan National Ag- bolstering local food security.” He said dur- and identifying future research priorities.
ricultural Research Center, you will pass ing the interview. Researchers from both countries also con-
through a sea of canola flowers before you Awais Zahid, a jointly-trained scientific ducted field investigations to evaluate the
see a test wheat field. Each section of the field researcher under the China-Pakistan collab- practical application of molecular wheat
has a signboard indicating the specific wheat oration, has resided and worked in China breeding technology.
variety grown there. Among them are new for over a decade and currently serves as Shahid Mansoor, a researcher at the
wheat varieties developed collaboratively by the Pakistani director of the lab. In an in- University of Karachi in Pakistan, attend-
ed the conference. He told our reporters
terview with our reporters, he emphasized
Chinese and Pakistani researchers.
He Zhonghu, a research fellow at the In- Pakistan’s significant wheat consumption that recent joint efforts by Pakistan and
stitute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of and highlighted the critical importance of China have led to significant upgrades in
Agricultural Sciences, listens attentively to breeding new wheat varieties that are resil- Pakistan’s infrastructure and power supply.
the Pakistani researchers’ introduction while ient to climate change, ensuring the coun- Looking ahead, there is great potential for
bending down to caress the wheat leaves. try’s food security. ensuring food security, and the adoption of
Observing the healthy growth of the wheat, a The joint lab has recently developed two China’s wheat breeding technology promis-
smile of satisfaction spread across his face. wheat varieties tailored for cultivation in es substantial benefits for every Pakistani.
He Zhonghu has been deeply involved northern Pakistan. “Over the past couple of “China has set a commendable example
in wheat breeding research for many years, years, we’ve been trialing these new wheat in alleviating poverty and enhancing living
strains, which have shown yield increases
standards. The establishment of this lab
gaining extensive expertise in molecular
marker breeding. During a recent field of 8 to 10 percent compared to traditional presents Pakistan with a valuable oppor-
interview, he shared with our reporters regional varieties. We anticipate that these tunity to learn how technology can boost
that the Institute of Crop Science, Chinese introductions will substantially enhance wheat yields, ensure food security, and up-
Academy of Agricultural Sciences, has local wheat yields and farmers’ incomes.” lift people from poverty.” Mansoor said.
been collaborating with relevant institu- Zahid remarked. Zahid informed our reporters that the
tions in Pakistan for over a decade, training According to He, the newly bred vari- laboratory is also facilitating talent ex-
nine researchers from Pakistan. eties through collaboration do not signif- change and training initiatives. They have
Building upon these collaborative icantly differ from local superior wheat scheduled a training session on molecular
achievements, the Institute of Crop Science varieties in terms of maturity. However, wheat breeding technology at Quaid-i-
at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural they feature shorter plants, addressing the Azam University next month, aiming to
Sciences, in partnership with Quaid-i-Azam issue of lodging. Moreover, using molecu- equip nearly 50 Pakistani researchers with
University, Pakistan National Agricultur- lar marker technology, genes for anti-stripe advanced skills in this field.
al Research Center, and the International rust and anti-leaf rust from Chinese wheat Shaukat Ali, the Chief Scientific Officer
Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, varieties have been integrated into Paki- of the National Institute for Genomics and
has recently established the China-Pakistan stani wheat varieties, aiming to achieve Advanced Biotechnology of Pakistan, stat-
Wheat Molecular Breeding International both high yield and disease resistance. ed, “Ensuring food security is essential for
nd
Joint Laboratory. Not long ago, the lab hosted the 2 Chi- addressing other development challenges.
“We aim to leverage this new molecular na-Pakistan Joint Conference on Molecular Promoting agricultural development will
breeding technology to elevate Pakistan’s Wheat Breeding at Quaid-i-Azam Uni- not only strengthen Pakistan’s economy but
wheat breeding standards, particularly versity. The event focused on discussing also have a lasting positive impact on the
enhancing disease resistance, and thereby the progress of their collaborative project surrounding region.”