AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION SERAI NAURANG (BANNU)

Introduction of the Institute/Station

Agricultural Research Station Serai Naurang was established in 1962 with a total area of 25 Acres. Out of this 17 Acre land is allocated for research activities while the remaining 8 acres is under office building and residential colony. The post of Agronomist (Station In-Charge) was created in 1975, Which was upgraded to Director in 2012 along with other posts of Senior Research Officer to strengthen research work at the station. The research activities are confined to different crops and fruit plants like wheat, maize, sugarcane, citrus fruits, ber and dates etc.

Details of Sections/Labs

Sections 1. Agronomy

2. Horticulture

3. Soil chemistry

Labs 1. Soil and water testing laboratory at ARS Naurang

2. Soil and water testing laboratory at FMSC Lakki Marwat (Tajazai).

Official Message from the Head of the Department

Farmers of the respective area should adopt new production technologies and methods that can help increase their yield and income
Farmers are advised to use approved varieties of crops.
Farmers must analyze their soil before the cultivation of any crop.

Brief History

The area falls in the southern zone of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a hot and dry climate with annual rainfall ranging from: 250- 400 mm. Soil is clay/clay loam in irrigated areas and sandy to sandy loam in rain-fed areas. Soil pH varies from 7.5-8.5. The overall soil condition is poor and deficient in Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Organic Matter.

Objectives

To overcome the major problems, Research activities are conducted at the station and on farmers^,
Evaluation of most suitable varieties/technology for different crops, and fruit plants is being thoroughly processed in the area.
Better quality seed of improved varieties i.e. wheat, sugar cane, maize are also produced for further multiplication among the farmers.
Samples of farmer’s field, irrigation water are tested for salinity, fertility status and necessary recommendations.
Transfer of technology is under process through field days, conferences, publications/booklets and adaptive research trials.

Mandate

Evaluation/Development of new varieties of major crops and fruit plants best suited under the Agro-ecological condition of the area.
Formulation of advance production technology for different crops and fruit plants.
Testing of soil and water samples for fertility status and fertilizer formulation.

Achievements

Evaluation of new varieties

Wheat: Four wheat varieties Marwat- J-01,Lakki –J-03,Amin-10 and Naurang-2023 has been evaluated.

Candidate Lines:SN-13,SN-15,SN-17,SN-19,SN-20,SN-22

Sugar cane: Five sugarcane varieties Bannu -1, Naurang-98, Bannu -3, Bannu Green and K.B.-10 has been evaluated so far.

Candidate Lines: S-98-CSSG-676,MS-93-CP-223,S-98-SP-341,S-98- CSSG-709,MS-94-CP-90

The economic level of major nutrients, best time and method of sowing of different crops like wheat, maize and sugarcane were studied and recommended for the area.
The more profitable technology i.e. off-season vegetable production of Squash melon under plastic tunnel technology was evaluated and disseminated for commercial cultivation in the area.
A new high value cash crop (Sugar beet) was introduced for cultivation on commercial scale as a better substitute for sugarcane.
Five different varieties of olive are planted in the station to check their performance under the agro-climatic condition of Bannu/Lakki Marwat
Date Palm orchard of different varieties is established to check their performance under the agro-climatic condition of Bannu/Lakki Marwat
Citrus orchard of diiferent varieties is also established to check their performance under the agro-climatic condition of Bannu/Lakki Marwat
More than 250 farmers are guided about agriculture-related problems per year
Analysis of 200 soil and water samples of local farmers per year
Analyzed 750 soil samples from January 2023 to March 2024 under the Soil Fertility Mapping Project KP.

Vision/Future Plan

To cater to the food needs of the community through improvement in agriculture production by evolving new techniques/high potential suitable varieties of different commodities in the area. Development and dissemination of new Package of production technology
New high-potential, suitable Varieties / Production technology of major crops like Wheat, Sugarcane and Maize will be evaluated and disseminated systematically in the area through adaptive research trials, publications and field days/conferences in the areas.
To improve the socio-economic condition of the farming community through the evaluation/introduction of new profitable crops and advance production technology on a commercial level. Qualitative and quantitative change in the production of major crops in the area

Human Resources/Staff Position

Staff Position No.of Posts Present Vacant

Director(BPS-19) 01 01 0

SRO (BPS-18) 05 05 0

RO (BPS-17) 08 01 07

Email: arsnaurang62@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ars.serainaurang.1?mibextid=ZbWKwL