Multi-Functional Vegetable Nursery Transplanter.

FAISALABAD Feb 18: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad has developed first time in the country Multi-Functional Vegetable Nursery Transplanter that will reduce cost of the production and increase productivity as a step towards profitable agriculture. It is developed under PARB Project (22-390) of which Water Management Research Center Director Dr Muhammad Zaman is Project Manager and Engr Shehzad Ahmed, Additional Director General, Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute is the team leader. In this regard, Farmers’ Day was organised to demonstrate and create awareness about the “Multi-Functional Vegetable Nursery Transplanter” was organized at Water Management Research Center, UAF. The event was jointly arranged by the Department of Irrigation & Drainage, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, Water Management Research Center (WMRC-UAF) and Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute (AMRI) Multan under PARB Project (22-390) of which Dr Muhammad Zaman is Project Manager and Engr Shehzad Ahmed is the team leader. The machine is capable to perform multiple operations in one time (preparation of two beds, mulch and drip lateral placement and transplanting of four rows of multiple vegetables). Director Water Management Research Center, Dr Muhammad Zaman, while demonstrating the Multi-Functional Vegetable Nursery Transplanter, said that mechanized transplanting plays a vital role in efficient water management. He mentioned that uniform planting and proper spacing help in better irrigation scheduling, reducing water wastage and improving nutrient utilization. He added that such innovations are crucial in the context of climate change and water scarcity, as they promote sustainable agricultural practices. Chairman Dept of Irrigation and Drainage Dr Muhammad Adnan Shahid highlighted the importance of adopting modern and efficient irrigation systems to address water scarcity challenges. He said that bucket irrigation provides a low-cost and practical solution for small farmers, ensuring water reaches the root zone with minimal wastage. Former Vice Chancellor Arid Agriculture Dr Rai Niaz said that smart drip irrigation uses sensors and automation to supply water according to crop needs, while smart gun irrigation ensures uniform water distribution over large areas. He emphasized that these technologies collectively promote water conservation, higher productivity and sustainable agriculture. Additional Director General Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute (AMRI) Multan Engr Shehzad Ahmed emphasized that the developed transplanter is designed according to local field conditions and farmers’ needs. He stated that the machine can perform multiple functions in a single operation. He further highlighted that this technology will not only reduce operational costs but also improve plant survival rate and overall field efficiency. Deputy Director Vegetable Research Institute Mr. Sajjad highlighted that vegetable production in Pakistan largely depends on manual transplanting, which is labor-intensive, time-consuming and costly. He said that keeping in view the increasing labor shortage and rising production costs, the Multi-Functional Vegetable Nursery Transplanter has been introduced as an efficient and cost-effective solution which will help in not only decreasing the cost but improve the quality of vegetables.