AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION, SEENLASHT, CHITRAL

Introduction

Agriculture Research Station Seen Lasht Chitral

Details of Sections/Labs

Multi-disciplinary station with no separate sections. The main focus is on horticulture, Agronomy, soil science, climate-smart agriculture, food technology and IPM research activities.

The following labs are functional.

1. Soil & Water Testing Lab
2. Food Technology Lab

Official Message from the Head of the Department

It is a great honor for me to assume the charge of Director ARS Chitral. Agriculture is basic to the descent survival of resource-poor people of district Lower and Upper Chitral. Since its establishment in 1990, ARS Chitral has made marvelous achievements in promoting modern agriculture practices in the area. The highly qualified research team of ARS Chitral have always played a vital role in ensuring food security, sustainable agriculture production, food processing, value addition and climate-smart agriculture. It is the only institution in such a highly deserving remote area that provides science-based solutions of all agriculture-related problems to the farming community and government and non-government organizations.

The future is going to be brighter as the establishment of new well-equipped Entomology, pathology and Food Technology laboratories is at its final stages. We will be able to serve the farming community in a better way and will lead the community to a more sustainable, productive and environment-friendly agriculture production.

Brief History

Agricultural Research Station Chitral was established in 1989-90 with financial support of the Asian Development Bank (ADBP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through the Chitral Area Development Project (CADP). Seven acres of land was purchased for ARS Chitral and 2.6 acres for ARSS Booni. The buildings of ARS Chitral were completed in 1994 and ARSS Booni in 1997. It was financed by CADP and there was no regular budget till June 30, 1998. Regular budget started from July 01, 1999 and was operated as sub-station of now ARI and then ARS Mingora till June 30, 2002. From July 01, 1999 and was operated as sub-station of now ARI and then ARS Mingora till June 30, 2002. From July 01, 2002 Agronomist (BPS-18) was transferred as DDO and in July 2012 Agronomist was upgraded to Director (BPS-19).

Objectives

1. To evaluate high-yielding varieties and best agronomic practices and techniques for the area. Wheat, maize, rice, potatoes, peas, beans, onion, tomato and other vegetable varieties are evaluated in the station and best performing varieties are then evaluated at different microclimatic zones of district Chitral. The results are shared with agriculture extension Chitral which enables the Farm Services Center to purchase seed of the most suitable varieties for the farmers.
2. To produce true-to-type fruit nursery plants
3. To educate the farmers in orchard management
4. To preserve the local germplasm of Indigenous fruit plants
5. To produce certified vegetable seed for the area
6. To train the interested farmers in fruit plants nursery production
7. To analyze soil and water of the area
8. To educate the farmers in fertilizer application methods in order to minimize the losses.
9. To set recommendations for fertilizers based on soil analysis.
10. Educate the farmers and household women in the preservation of surplus fruits and vegetable and earn greater income.
11. Arrange trainings of male and female to educate them in making jams, jelly, squashes, pickles and other valuable products from their surplus fruits and vegetable

Function

1. Carrying out research experiments
2. Developing production technologies and IPM strategies for different crops of the area.
3. Dissemination of research findings and recommendations to farmers, government and non-government organizations

Mandate

1. Variety development: Germplasm screening, selection of improved varieties, approval of variety/varieties, pre-basic and basic seed production of the variety/varieties and identification of desirable rootstock and bud-wood for further multiplication.
2. Production technology development: Nutrient requirement, improved agronomic practices, Integrated Pest / Crop Management (IPM & ICM), post-harvest management, and storage.
3. Transmission of improved technology: Through adaptive research, training courses, workshops, seminars, field days and mass media.

Achievements

To date two fruit varieties have been released. One is of pear as “Shoghori” in 2019 while the other is of pomegranate as “Chitral Safaid Anar” in 2021. Besides these thousands of farmers in the area have been trained on production technology of different fruits and vegetable crops. ARS Chitral has a leading role in developing site specific Climate smart agriculture technologies. Moreover, different mitigation and adaptation measures have been devised to cope with the changing climatic scenarios and ensure sustainable agriculture production.

Vision/Future Plan

1. Establishment of a certified fruit nursery plant production system
2. Characterization and registration of valuable local germplasm
3. Promoting ecological/organic farming
4. Educating farmers on improved production technologies and IPM strategies
5. Promote improved fruit varieties on sequential ripening basis to avoid market glut.
6. Promote vegetable seed production

Staff position

1. Director (01 position)
2. Senior Research Officers (06 positions)
3. Research Officers (03 positions)