The University of Agriculture Faisalabad has developed, for the first time in the country, a Multi-Functional Vegetable Nursery Transplanter. This machine is expected to reduce production costs and increase productivity, supporting the goal of profitable agriculture. It has been developed under PARB Project (22-390), with Dr. Muhammad Zaman, Director of the Water Management Research Center, serving as Project Manager, and Engr. Shehzad Ahmed, Additional Director General of the Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute, serving as Team Leader.
In this regard, a Farmers' Day was organized at the Water Management Research Center, UAF, to demonstrate the Multi-Functional Vegetable Nursery Transplanter and raise awareness about its benefits. The event was jointly arranged by the Department of Irrigation & Drainage, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, Water Management Research Center (WMRC-UAF), and the Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute (AMRI) Multan under PARB Project (22-390). Dr. Muhammad Zaman is the Project Manager, and Engr. Shehzad Ahmed is the Team Leader of the project.
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The machine is capable of performing multiple operations at the same time, including the preparation of two beds, mulch laying, drip lateral placement, and transplanting four rows of various vegetables. While demonstrating the transplanter, Dr. Muhammad Zaman, Director of the Water Management Research Center, said that mechanized transplanting plays a vital role in efficient water management. He explained that uniform planting and proper spacing support better irrigation scheduling, reduce water wastage, and improve 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 of the Department 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 that water reaches the root zone with minimal wastage.
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Former Vice Chancellor of Arid Agriculture University, Dr. Rai Niaz, stated 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.
© University of Agriculture Faisalabad
Engr. Shehzad Ahmed, Additional Director General of the Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute (AMRI) Multan, emphasized that the developed transplanter has been 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 rates and overall field efficiency.
Mr. Sajjad, Deputy Director of the Vegetable Research Institute, highlighted that vegetable production in Pakistan largely depends on manual transplanting, which is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly. He noted that, in view of the increasing labor shortage and rising production costs, the Multi-Functional Vegetable Nursery Transplanter has been introduced as an efficient and cost-effective solution that will not only reduce costs but also improve the quality of vegetables.
