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       RAWALPINDI: A one-day festival was organised to create awareness among farmers about blackberries at the Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal, to increase the trend of cultivating the profitable fruit.

       The festival was inaugurated by Pakistan’s former agricultural scientist Mian Muhammad

       Ashraf, along with Director Horticulture Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Muhammad Ashraf Samra, and Syed Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari, Director Agriculture Extension, Rawalpindi Division.

       Speaking on the occasion, Director Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal, Dr Nadeem Ahmed said that the festival had been organised to raise awareness among farmers regarding the promotion of blackberry cultivation.

       At present, research on high-value crops is indispensable.

       There was a wide scope for the successful cultivation of high-value crops, especially fruits, in the Pothwar region, he said.

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       He added that blackberry is a very nutritious fruit. “By cultivating it, farmers can earn better incomes. Many products can be produced from this fruit.”

       Dr Nadeem Ahmed added that collaboration between the public and private sectors is very important to increase blackberry cultivation.

       He said that the Rainy Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal, is carrying out more research activities than other research institutes across Punjab, and this institute has played an important role in exposing farmers to modern agricultural technology.

       On this occasion, Senior Scientist of Rainy Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal, Aqeel Feroze, said that organising the Blackberry Festival at the Rainy Agricultural Development Institute would provide full awareness to local farmers.

       As a result, large-scale cultivation of the profitable blackberry fruit would be promoted and thus the economic stability of the farmers would also increase.

       He added that blackberry provides a very good income compared to traditional crops.

       It was further informed that research is underway at this institution regarding the cultivation of blackberries and the production of various products from them.

       Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2025