High-yield garlic variety developed.

Byline: Amin Ahmed

ISLAMABAD -- A new garlic variety developed at the National Agricultural Research Centre (Narc) has yielded 24 tonnes per hectare - the highest ever produced in the country as compared to other garlic cultivars grown locally.

Bulb weight of the newly developed variety called Narc-G1 has been recorded approximately 185.43 grams as compared to the local 'Lehson Gulab' which is only 35.45 grams. Narc-G1 is relatively larger than other garlic varieties while cultivation in suitable climate and proper care can enhance its productivity.

The new variety was approved by the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (Parc) and it was also vetted last month by the seed councils of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to Parc chairman Dr Mohammad Azeem Khan, the new variety will not only increase earnings of the farmers but also reduce the bill of garlic imports.

Pakistan produces 81,167 tonnes and imports 46,139 tonnes from China

Breeders are now getting a considerable rise in demand for Narc-G1, particularly from food processing and pharmaceutical industries.

He said Belarus had expressed interest in importing the new garlic variety from Pakistan.

The Vegetable Crop Research Programme of the Horticulture Research Institute at Narc had started garlic variety development in 2009-10 to achieve the high-yielding variety for the country.

According to a team of scientists led by Humayun Khan, which worked on the development of Narc-G1, the feedback from...