Agricultural Experts to Farmers: Hybrid Seeds Boost Crop Productivity

During a field visit in Islamabad organized by Monsanto Pakistan on November 9, agricultural experts suggested to farmers to use best quality corn hybrid seeds to increase their production. The experts said that after the introduction of hybrid maize in the 1990s, farmers have gradually shifted to hybrid maize from traditional/open pollinated varieties (OPVs) as hybrid maize has increased production from 30 maunds/acre to 80-120 maunds/acre. The experts also said that the adoption of best quality hybrids is important because the weather patterns are changing and farmers need seeds that will cope with harsh weather conditions, fit in changing crop rotations and most importantly provide the much-needed economic benefits to the farmers.

Around 500 corn farmers from different areas in Punjab, including Faisalabad, Gojra, Deepalpur, Mian Channu, Sahiwal and Okara, participated in the field visit. The event aimed to educate the farmers on best agronomic practices. Monsanto's representative Mr. Atif Majeed told the farmers that grains of some of Monsanto's new hybrids are bigger and their resistance against diseases is also high.

For more information, visit the Pakistan Biotechnology Information Center website at: http://www.pabic.com.pk/Agricultural%20Experts%20advised%20farmers%20to%20use%20hybrid%20seeds%20to%20boost%20their%20Crop%E2%80%99s%20productivity.html.