Chief Organizer of Academic Tour of 4th Term B.Sc(Hons) Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan on 5th May, 2009
In accordance to pre-planned schedule, a well organized Academic Tour of 4th Term B.Sc(H) Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan has been successfully arranged under the supervison of Professor Muhammad Niamatullah of Rural Development and Dr. Professor Azam Khan of Water Management to enhance their practical skill, knowledge and abilities in the various disciplines of Agricultural Fields. In this regard, on 5th May, 2009, An Academic Tour pertaining to practical exposure and training to 4th Term B.Sc(Hons) Agriculture students, a purely academic trip was held to visit and acquire all possible knowledge (Research, Extension, Engineering) in Agriculture Research Institute, Ratta Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan.
As the students of 4th Term B.Sc(Hons) desired to go on academic trip, so Muhammad Niamatullah started contacting Prof.Dr. Qasim Khan Ex-Dean and Prof.Dr. Reham Din Khan to do the needful. After contact pursuing and keep interest of students, a fine tour has been arranged and a new bus is provided to carry students from sharp 9.00 am morning for Agriculture Research Insitiute, D.I.Khan and will return back to Faculty of Agriculture at 2.30 pm on the same day of 5th May, 2009. Students at the moment were so excited and were having immense pleasure to materialize such academic tour at the end. Light refreshments arrangments one day before was economically arranged and packed with fresh cold drinks, which were offered on the return back to Faculty of Agriculture. In order to make this moment historical and amazing and having long lasting impact, some selective photographs in various events were collected to developing such fine class website.
As soon as we entered into the premises of Agricultural Research Institute, Incharge Director/ Technical Officer Agronomy Mr. Nadeem, the Head of Section Plant Breeding and Genetics Dr. Mansoor, Rice section Incharge Mr. Khalid Mehmood welcomed us. They guided us to be accompanied and gathered into a well decorated presentation Hall. The Professors of the Faculty discussed in length the disciplinary situation and in order to avoid the undesirable events may be due to students, so Mr. Niamatullah Khan was asked to guide students and deliver the message of discipline to be ensured at all cost. Prof.Muhammad Niamatullah Khan took this responsibility and guided well in time to maintain discipline in the premises and advise students to get knowledge as many as possible to the best of experts abilities.
Mr. Nadeem Amjid Technical Officer/ Incharge Agronomy Section briefed us about the history and developmental activities of Agricultural Research Institute, D.I.Khan. He informed us that ARI was working under NWFP Agric. University, Peshawar upto 2006 and onward uptill now such Institute is operative under Provincial Govt. of NWFP. He informed us that main aim of ARI is the development and introduction of new varieties of crops. This Insititute has the following departments; namely, Agronomy, Hosrticulture, Entomology, Food Science and Soil Sciences. Recently an International Research Meeting was held, in which all researchers of the country and abroad participated. He further informed that this Institute brought 5 varieties of D.I.Khan (out of 9 varieties of ARI) to NARC for national trial. 2 varieties of wheat (Hashim 8 and Gomal 8) and Pulses Varieties (Pulses mod or other). The D.I.Khan varieties of wheat got 1st position in whole country in terms of its yield as (5000 to 5500 kg/hectares) in 2008. He told that on-going projects are 1. In horticulture on fruits 2. In food on dates 3. In entomology on fruit fly.
Dr. Mansoor Head of Horticulture Department/ Research Officer, Specialist in PBG and Ph.D in Agronomy. He briefed us abot the process and developmental stages of varieties of crops. He said that for the introduction of new varieties, so many problems faced or stages are required to accomplish. As new varietie sof wheat takes 4-8 years for its fuller development and ultimately new variety is released/ introduced. Dr. Mansoor introduced three varieties of pulses (moat beat, grean moat and fodder moat) and succeeded in breaking the national record. He also worked successfully in mung bean. He informed the house that problem faced to these varieties were the damage done by Brocket viwals, which destroyed the whole stored grains. He suggested that due to tillering, this problem was overcomed.He also told that detergent sprayers were used to save the productive field from further damages. He declared that there are three sections of agriculture: Extension, Engineering and Research. He informed that for the bajra crops, the main problem is the sparrow, which severily damages the crops.
Professor Muhammad Niamatullah Khan and Prof.Dr. Azam Khan alongwith students of 4th Term B.Sc(Hons) Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, D.I.Khan attending with patience and actively participating in formal presentation on various aspects of agriculture achievements made so far in Agriculture Resrarch Institute. Additionally Professor Muhammad Niamatullah Khan asked the authorities concerned to ensure the strengthening of Research, Extension, Engineering and Educational institutes through applications of latest innovations and information technology (websites, internet as global village) so that farmers get benefits at gross root levels for the ultimate enhancement of agricultural productivity.
Mr. Khalid Mehmood Incharge Agronomy Section told us about the main problems of Banaspati and Irri varieties of Rice in irrigated water. The Rice field requires 3 inches of water, but sometime it cause water absorption by roots. He told us about the Kala Shah Kakoo variety of rice, which is at top of all varieties of rice. Prof. Muhammad Niamatullah enquired about the demand of consumer and supply of farmers in comparison of Irri and banaspati rice crops. He responded that banaspati rice crop demanded by people more due to its taste, quality and high nutritional requirements as comapred to irri variety of rice.
Prof. Muhammad Niamatullah and Prof.Dr. Azam Khan alongwith experts of Agricultural Research Institutes in a group photo session with 4th Term Students of B.Sc(Hons) Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, D.I.Khan.
Mr. Nazeer Senior Sceintic Officer. He demonstrated in detail the developmental stages of maize, millet and sorghum. He compared the local, regional and international crops of maize. He said that plant to plant distance of maize is 75cm and row to row distance is 25cm. He shown us the hybrid varieties of maize. e toldd that during crossing, the upper male portion is covered with plastic bags is called tasel, which decrease the attack made by borer during seedling stage. Each plant has tag and coded computerized to maintain its developmental growth time and again for scientific data record and analysis.
4th Term Students of B.Sc(Hons) Agriculture are very excited and in happy mood to enjoy such memorable and historical academic tour of Agricultural Research Institute, D.I.Khan.
Mr. Pervaiz Khan, Food Section Incharge briefed us about machinces and tools commonly used for extracting juices, pulm and other nutritional tasks one by one. He demonstrated us about Pulping Machine, Peel Oil Extractor, Slicer Machine, Abbrassive Peeler, Washer, Minching Machine, Dough Maker in details. On enquiry, he responded that such machines are used for commercial and large scale puposes with aim not only to obtain pure nutrional ingredients, but also it helps in segregating all sorts of nutritional intakes in extra pure forms adequately and qualitatively.
Mr. Mehmood, Incharge Entomology Section told us about behaviour of Wind Tunnel, a device which is used to check the bevahiour of insect. Pharamoon is a chemial used in such wind tunnel to identify the approach, existence and sensitivity of insects and pests with regards to crops damage situations.
