BARANI AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION, JARMA, KOHAT

Introduction

Barani Agricultural Research Station was established in the year 1993-94 on an area of 25 acres at Jarma, Kohat. It is 10 Km in the south of the city, on main Indus Highway, with an elevation of 580 m. Geographically, Barani Agricultural Research station Kohat falls in arid to semi-arid region. Soil is calcareous in nature, mostly heavy in texture and difficult to plough, deficient in organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus and marginal to adequate in potassium. The climate is hot and dry in summer with moderate spells during monsoon. The mean annual precipitation varies from 125 to 500 mm. It is a multi-disciplined organization involved in research to improve agricultural productivity of barani areas through evolving high yielding, drought resistant crop varieties and improved production technology appropriate for the agro-ecological environment of Kohat division. The overall mandate of the station is “Research for the farmers”. BARS Kohat since its inception in 1993-94 has been conducting problem oriented research on crops for barani and semi irrigated areas. So far this station has made commendable progress to meet the goals and has come up with the expectations of the farming community of the area by evolving 06 high yielding, drought tolerant varieties of wheat in cereals, introduction of actual Kohat famous guava (true to type), development & dissemination of improved technology for cereals, fruits and non-conventional high valued vegetables like Caralluma and Asparagus etc.

Details of Sections/Labs

There are 06 sections i.e., Cereal, Horticulture, Entomology, Pathology, Oilseed, Soil and one soil & water testing laboratory.

Official Message from Head of the Department

Barani Agricultural Research Station (BARS), Kohat is engaged in research activities for farming community to improve agricultural productivity of barani areas through evolving high yielding, drought resistant crop varieties and improved production technology and will continue serving the farming community of the area.

Brief History

Barani Agricultural Research Station Kohat was established under the Barani Area Development Project (BADP-I) in 1993-94.

Objectives

To develop high yielding, drought tolerant and pest/disease resistant varieties of field crops.
To develop technology packages for different agricultural commodities, suitable for rainfed areas.
To develop suitable cropping pattern keeping in view the better utilization of soil, natural resources and weather conditions.
To disseminate technology packages to the end users through adaptive research trials/different means.
To provide advisory service for soil and water analysis to the farming community/allied agencies of the area.
To produce basic seeds of different crops and then transfer to Extension/Progressive farmers.
To develop linkages with allied agencies for sharing the experiences to enhance crop production and reduce poverty of farming community.

Details of Ongoing Schemes

Wheat Productivity Enhancement Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (PSDP)

Functions

Conducting research trials on wheat on station as well as multi-location.

Mandate

The overall mandate of the station is “Research for the farmers”.

Achievements

Six wheat varieties (Kohat-2000, Kohat-2003, Kohat-2010, Kohat-2017, Fahim-2019 and Tanda-2023) have already been released for rain fed areas.
Millet variety (KT-98) has also been evolved for barani area.
Several hundred Adaptive Research Plots have been conducted at farmer’s fields on various crops like wheat, millet, sorghum, ground nut, canola and sunflower and extended the production technology to the doorsteps of the farmers.
More than one hundred and fifty (150) radio talks on various aspects related to agricultural crops have been aired so far.
Many research papers and broachers, pamphlets have been published in national and international languages for farmers.
Disseminated the developed crop production technology to the farmers, extension personnel’s and NGOs through Research cum demonstration plots, field days, workshops, radio and electronic media.
Maintained strong linkages with Agri. Extension Deptt. Animal Husbandry Deptt; SRSP, NARC, PARC, BARI Chakwal, AARI Bahawalpur, KPK Agricultural University Peshawar, Kohat University, Gomal University D.I.Khan and NIFA Peshawar.
Provided expertise to Farm Services Centers, SRSP, as and where needed.

Vision/Future Plan

Continuation of research activities considering weather conditions and requirements of rain fed areas for: -

Evaluation/Development of Wheat varieties.
Research on the introduction of non-traditional crops e.g. Asparagus and caralluma etc.
Research on the use of organic and mineral fertilizers for profitable/economical crops yields.
Acquaintance of the farmers for maintenance of soil fertility and improvement in irrigation water quality.
Improvement in linkages with allied agencies and farming community for identification of poverty reduction elements and their possible implementation at farmer’s field.
Continuation of adaptive research trials on various crops for dissemination of advance production technologies and Farmer’s guidance through delivering Radio talks in local language and by publishing vernacular Bulletins.

Staff Position

Niaz Muhammad Director 19
Javed Iqbal PRO 19
Zahid Iqbal SRO 18
Zahid Saleem SRO 18
Dr. Muhammad Ishaq SRO 18
Sufiyan Qureshi SRO 18
Gohar Hayat RO 17
Qasim Jan RO 17
Salka Hameed RO 17

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