16/10/2025
3rd Seminar on ‘Introducing Exotic Fruit Crops for Diversification and Sustainable Production’
Institute of Horticultural Sciences, UAF had organized 3rd National Seminar on ‘Introducing Exotic Fruit Crops for Diversification and Sustainable Production’ on 17 September 2025 under PARB Project. This event was planned to overview the project progress and for distribution of 3rd batch of exotic fruit crops germplasm to the collaborators. In this event, many distinguished guests and speakers participated from different departments of UAF, Citrus Research Institute (CRI), Sargodha, Mango Research Institute (MRI), Multan, Horticulture Research Institute (HRI), Vegetable Research Institute (VRI) and other departments of Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Sattar Khan, Director, HIS, UAF in his inaugural address highlighted need for germplasm diversification and introduction of exotic fruit crops to mitigate climate change and ensure food security. Prof. Dr. Usman Khan presented overview of the project progress and highlighted that plant material of 63 varieties of 18 different fruit crops that was imported from USA, Australia and China had been distributed among collaborators for testing adaptability and productivity. Mr. Akbar Hayat, Director, CRI, Sargodha and Mr. Inam Bokhari, SS, MRI, Multan also presented progress of their components. Mr. Umer Saeed Qadari, Deputy Registrar UAF and an amateur fruit grower also appreciated the efforts of Prof. Usman for introducing new fruit crops and widening the fruit basket of Punjab. The germplasm of exotic fruit varieties imported from Thailand was distributed by Prof. Dr. Ghulam Murtaza, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, UAF. He also appreciated the untiring efforts and contributions of Prof. Dr. M. Usman, PM, PARB project and his team to achieve these milestone goals. Prof. Usman thanked all the distinguished guests and speakers for sparing time and making this event a success. This initiative marked another giant step towards promotion of potential exotic fruit crops and diversifying genetic resources in the region. More than 90 participants from different organizations participated in this event.
