Researchers from the Functional Grains Centre (FGC), Professor Chris Blanchard, Associate Professor Gavin Ramsay and Dr Ata ur-Rehman, and research collaborator Ms Penny Heuston from Heuston Agronomy travelled to Multan, Pakistan in March.

The visit was part of the project that aims to increase the productivity and profitability of pulses in Pakistan, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

The team attended the 1^st Australia-Pakistan International Conference on Pulses for Food Security, with Professor Blanchard and Professor Ramsay delivering presentations.

The conference was hosted by MNS University of Agriculture in Multan and included an ‘Ideas Fest’ where students from surrounding institutions competed to develop innovative pulse-based foods.

Out into the field

While in Pakistan the team also visited project field sites in Bhakkar.

Professor Blanchard said, “It was great to have the opportunity to speak with farmers who told us that our project is already having a positive impact on pulse production in the area.”

The visit to Bhakkar also included the Arid Zone Research Institute to see breeding and agronomy field trials.

Read more about the project 'Increasing productivity and profitability of pulse production in cereal based cropping systems in Pakistan here.