The University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF), and the Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science (IPPCAAS), have agreed to establish a joint laboratory for crop pest management in Pakistan and China.
Both parties will initiate the joint laboratory’s operations and conduct tests, demonstrations, and collaborative research on integrated disease control technologies for crop pests and diseases of mutual interest. The initiative will also involve technical personnel training and exchange programs.
Prof. Muhammad Jalal Arif, Chairman of the Department of Entomology at UAF, expressed concerns about Pakistan’s pest problem, particularly the impact of white flies on crops like cotton, citrus, and guava.
He highlighted the challenges faced when exporting fruits and vegetables to the Middle East, as they often get rejected due to the presence of these pests and pesticide residues. He further mentioned that among the 1,300 registered pesticides in Pakistan, none have proven effective in controlling the white fly.
He also highlighted that Pakistan is grappling with the challenges of the economic threshold level and economic injury level in pest management. Decisions regarding pest control are made based on pest scouting, monitoring, and population assessment.
When the pest population exceeds a certain level, pesticide application becomes necessary, and various equipment and tools are utilized for this purpose. However, he emphasized that the existing threshold and injury level, which have been in use for the past 75 years, need to be updated and revised in the future.
Prof. Muhammad Jafar Jaskani, Director of the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization at UAF, stated that this partnership is aligned with Pakistan’s endeavors to promote climate-smart agriculture.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring food security for future generations, suggesting that genetic changes and the application of biotechnology are crucial tools for achieving food security in both countries. The collaboration with the University of Faisalabad holds significant national importance for Pakistan.
“Faisalabad is renowned for its textile industry, and the existence of a special economic zone necessitates enhanced research to support its industrial growth. Additionally, the Confucius Institute has successfully educated 6,000 students in various levels of the Chinese language, serving as a bridge to facilitate cooperation between the two sides.”
Dr. Abid Ali from the UAF Department of Entomology mentioned that being situated in the heart of Pakistan makes it convenient for them to reach farmers across various regions in the country.
