Pakistan and China have launched a joint initiative to test ecological methods of tomato cultivation aimed at cutting the use of pesticides while performing yields.
The field tests were carried out in the Chak #48 NB tomato cultivation area, Sargodha, under the supervision of the Faisalabad University of Agriculture (UAF) and the University of Yunnan. The work was carried out through the International Laboratory for International Management of Pest of Pests of Vegetables Yunnan Fruit.
The researchers tested a system known as “3MP” or multidimensional management of multiple pests. The method combines improved fertilization to strengthen the natural resistance of plants with the accompanying crop. Sesamum Indigum It was planted as a trap culture to attract harmful insects away from tomatoes, while Verbena hybrida It was introduced to provide nectar for beneficial insects that feed on pests.
According to the rehearsal results, the 3MP approach reduced the use of chemical pesticides by more than 40 percent. Tomato yields remained at levels comparable to conventional farmers practices, and some cases recorded light increases. The trials also reported improvements in the quality of the fruit, the health of the soil and the biodiversity of the field, together with the low greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr. Abid Ali, a Pakistani agricultural scientist, explained that in the absence of officially recommended pesticides, many farmers have trusted unregulated chemical spray, which entails risks to soil, biodiversity and human health. He pointed out that the new system offers a safer alternative for producers.
Dr. Han Peng of the joint laboratory said that sargodha trials showed that the integration of trap crops, nectar plants and improved fertilization provided effective pest control without a large dependence on chemical pesticides.
Two candidates for Pakistani doctoral, Mr. Jawad Hassan and Miss Sana Anjum, were closely involved in field experiments.
The collaboration between the UAF and the University of Yunnan began in 2023 and is part of broader international tests of the 3MP system in China, Vietnam, Thailand and parts of Europe.
Project leaders plan to expand training through workshops with farmers, extension workers and policy formulators to support the adoption of the new system in the agricultural operations of Pakistan’s tomato.
