Pakistan puts cotton disease surveillance system in place

Dr. Mahboob ur Rehman, Director, NIBGE and Dr. Muhammad Idrees, Scientist, CEMB presented their achievements and plan for development of virus resistance transgenic plantsusing thirteen (13) different constructs/gene-products by using various transformation techniques/approaches.

Director CEMB highlighted that field screening testing of two different transformed cultivars (MNH-786 & VH-289) using two different constructs (C-1 & C-2) in the field with the permission of National Biosafety Committee (NBC).

Transformation work is continuously in progress at both labs. Tomato Transformation from Danforth Center Lab, US to test the efficiency of various gene-product released by Pakistani biotechnologists/molecular virologists. Most efficient constructs shall be utilized to develop broad spectrum resistance against the CLCVD and whitefly vector.

“Institutional capacity development” through strengthening and upgrading the various laboratories of local cooperating institutions like NIBGE, CEMB, IAGS, PCCC and CRIF was highlighted.“Capacity building of Pakistani cotton researchers” through participation in International conferences, seminars, field tours/trips sponsored by the project. 

Through five Borlaug fellowships, three months on the job trainings were provided to various young researchers in the fields of cytology, gene mapping, virology and molecular breeding. Further nominations for seven different trainings in the deficient areas under the same programme are under process.

In “Farmers capacity building programmes” about three thousand (3000) small farmers (< 5 hectares) were registered and trained through adopting Farmers Field School (FFS) in adapting the cotton Best Management Practices (BMPs) as an integrated virus management (IVP) approaches.

Two large farmers awareness meeting were convened at Multan & Faisalabad in March, 2013 as a proactive approach to help them tackle the menace. Small brochures were published and distributed to farmers in local languages enabling them to manage their crop effectively against the disease.

About eight (8) major “national” meetings, seminars and trainings were convened for local stakeholders specially addressing the needs of young and female researchers.Continuous Technical “monitoring and evaluation” by USDA and ICARDA leads/visitors helped keeping the project activities well organized and on the right track to achieve the project objective within the stipulated time framework and allocated resources, consultant added.