Maize research and development in Pakistan

While the returns to investments in maize research and extension have been positive, they have not been nearly as great as in other crops. Major factors that have reduced the potential returns from maize research have been a nonfunctional certified maize seed industry, low input use, poor agronomic practices, and poorly developed market channels. The purpose of this report is to review Pakistan"s maize research and development activities over the past 30 years. The evolution of the national maize research system is reviewed, including the collaborative role played by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). The report then examines the current status of maize production technologies, drawing on various farm-level surveys conducted under the Collaborative Program between CIMMYT, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), and the provincial maize research programs in North West Frontier Province and Punjab. Recommendations are presented for increasing maize productivity in the near term and improving the research and development infrastructure for maize. (Author abstract)