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Business Recorder
25-06-2025
- Science
- Business Recorder
Vanishing wings: the neglected guardians of Pakistan's food security
In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) and drone technology are rapidly reshaping the agricultural landscape, Pakistan faces the risk of quietly losing one of its most valuable assets in the fight for food security: the Aerial Wing of the Department of Plant Protection. Once a symbol of innovation and national preparedness, this fleet of aircraft—designed for pest control especially desert locust and crop protection—is now languishing in neglect, its future uncertain. The Aerial Wing has a proud legacy that dates back to the early 1950s when the government deployed Piper Cub aircraft to monitor and combat locust swarms in the desert regions. Over time, its role expanded. In the mid-1960s, the government added 20 De Havilland Beaver aircrafts to the fleet. By the 1970s, additional Fletcher and Cessna aircrafts brought further capability and reach. These aircraft weren't just used for agricultural pest control on paddy, cotton, sugarcane, apple and dates orchards, including desert locust—they were employed in forest regeneration through aerial seeding, hygienic spraying in urban areas, artificial rainmaking in coordination with the Meteorological Department and Pakistan Army, and even uranium exploration with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. The Aerial Wing didn't stop at Pakistan's borders. In 1988, three aircrafts were sent to Kuwait on request of the Kuwaiti government to help combat locust infestations. That operation earned the Pakistani government over $50,000. Two additional missions were conducted in Oman between 1989 and 1991. These international operations demonstrated Pakistan's capacity not only to manage its own agricultural emergencies but to assist other nations in times of need. Above were few precedents to refer its post glorified operations in the Middle East. Despite its long record of success and innovation, this fleet today is hanging by a thread. Only four Beavers, seven Fletchers, and eight Cessna aircrafts remain, many grounded, others at risk of being lost forever. Two operational Beavers viz. AVJ and AMA currently parked at Walton Hangar in Lahore face an immediate threat. With the hangar's closure underway, the aircraft may be disassembled and removed on trucks—an action that could render them permanently inoperable due to the department's limited mechanical and technical capacity augmented by disinterest by the heads. This is more than just administrative oversight—it is the slow erosion of a national resource that cannot be easily replaced. The irony is stark. During the most recent desert locust emergency in 2020–22, the government invested Rs. 185 million in spare parts and equipment, which now sit unopened and unused. The problem isn't a lack of investment—it's a lack of vision, leadership and urgency. There is no shortage of experienced retired aviation professionals willing to serve. What is missing is the initiative to harness their experience before the country finds itself scrambling during the next sudden desert locust crisis. Globally, agriculture is moving toward precision farming, powered by AI, drones, and satellite data. These tools allow early detection of pests, weather-based forecasting of outbreaks, and precision spraying that minimizes pesticide use while maximizing efficiency. Pakistan's existing aircraft—particularly the Beaver fleet—may be retrofitted with modern spraying systems and AI-supported technology. Doing so would not only preserve their relevance but also place Pakistan on par with leading nations in agricultural defense and food security. There is also an opportunity to reclaim the Aerial Wing's role in international cooperation. The Middle East and parts of Africa are again vulnerable to locust invasions, especially with forecasts of higher-than-average rains creating ideal breeding conditions. Offering aerial support missions abroad can earn revenue, boost Pakistan's international standing, and reaffirm the value of this fleet as a strategic and humanitarian tool. But time is running out. If decisive action is not taken immediately — particularly the relocation of aircrafts from the soon-to-be-demolished Walton Hangar — Pakistan risks losing not just machines but an entire era of national preparedness. This is more than just a story of fading aircrafts; it's a warning about what happens when institutions with proven value are left to decline. Reviving the Aerial Wing is not a matter of nostalgia — it's a matter of necessity. In a world increasingly prone to climate shocks, pest outbreaks and food insecurity, Pakistan cannot afford to let this asset fall silent. The departmental aircrafts though old (is gold) can still fly. The question is: will we let them? Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coastal Carolina pitcher Jacob Morrison makes history in College World Series gem
Coastal Carolina baseball's Jacob Morrison brought his A-game against Oregon State at the College World Series. The Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year in 2025 was electric outside of a solo home run he allowed in the bottom of the third inning, as he retired 16 hitters in a row from that point forward. The streak lasted into the eighth inning. He became only the third pitcher since 2011 to retire 16 or more batters in a College World Series game, according to the program. Advertisement REQUIRED READING: Coastal Carolina-Oregon State score: Chanticleers advance to College World Series semis The 6-foot-8 ace for the No. 13 Chanticleers set the tone in their 6-2 win over the No. 8 Beavers on June 15, allowing one run on five hits with seven strikeouts across 7 2/3 innings. The redshirt sophomore dropped his season ERA from 2.15 to 2.08 with the performance. The win improved Morrison's record to 12-0 on the year, as Coastal Carolina is undefeated in games where Morrison has earned a decision. His 2.15 ERA entering Sunday's game is the sixth-best mark in college baseball this season, and best among all pitchers still alive at the CWS. Advertisement Morrison has been outstanding for the Chanticleers in his three NCAA tournament starts, as he went six innings and allowed one run with six strikeouts against No. 4 Auburn in the Auburn Super Regional to reach Omaha, Nebraska. He allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings against East Carolina in the Conway Regional in his first postseason outing. Coastal Carolina's ace will be available again if the Chanticleers reach the national championship series, and he has a chance to make even more of a name for himself at the sport's biggest stage, as his team is looking for its second national championship since 2016. Here's a look at Morrison's stats this season, which rank among the best in college baseball: Jacob Morrison stats Stats as of Saturday, June 14. Advertisement Here's a look at Morrison's 2025 stats at Coastal Carolina: 2025 (redshirt sophomore): 11-0 record with 2.15 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 96 1/3 innings pitched. 0.93 WHIP and .195 batting average against. 2024: Redshirted 2023 (freshman): 6-1 record with 6.55 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings. 1.56 WHIP and .304 batting average against. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coastal Carolina pitcher Jacob Morrison makes history in CWS gem
USA Today
14-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Gavin Turley delivers walk-off hit for Oregon State at College World Series
Gavin Turley delivers walk-off hit for Oregon State at College World Series Show Caption Hide Caption Which NCAA baseball teams could blow up the bracket The Montgomery Advertiser's Adam Cole and The Southwest Times Record's Jackson Fuller break down who could wreck the tournament bracket. Omaha magic arrived on Day 1 of the College World Series, and it is all thanks to Oregon State left fielder Gavin Turley. Facing the first pitch of his at-bat in the bottom of the ninth inning with a runner on first, Turley laced a line drive down into the left field corner to score Aiva Arquette and give No. 8 Oregon State a 4-3 walk-off win against Louisville at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. It is the first walk-off win for the Beavers in their eight trips to the College World Series, according to the ESPN broadcast. REQUIRED READING: Oregon State-Louisville baseball score: Highlights from Beavers' College World Series win "Trying to hit something hard. Hit something over the plate, "Turley told ESPN's Kris Budden after the game. "Didn't try to do too much, to be honest. Just put a good swing on the ball in the zone. He added on the feel of his heartbeat after the walk-off: "It's off the charts. Can't believe I'm standing here. I'm still out of breath. That was awesome." Turley's heroics in Omaha at Charles Schwab Field Omaha didn't come without a wacky top of the ninth inning, which he played a factor into. Leading 3-1 going into the ninth inning, Turley attempted to make a diving catch on a live drive hit to him by Louisville left fielder Zion Rose. However, Turley misplayed the ball, allowing Rose to begin the inning with a lead-off triple. Rose was then brought home one batter later by Tague Davis, who beat the shift with a single up the middle. Kamau Neighbors plated Alex Alicea to even the score at 3-3 on a single up the middle, after Alicea reached third on a two-error play by Arquette and Oregon State catcher Wilson Weber. REQUIRED READING: College World Series bracket: Scores, schedule, teams, times, TV channel for CWS Earlier in the game, Turley set a new Oregon State single-postseason program record for most RBIs that his head coach, Mitch Canham, used to hold. Turley's first RBI of the night came on a groundout to second that allowed Trent Caraway to come across home for the first run of the night. The meeting between the Beavers and the Cardinals was the first since both teams met up in the 2013 College World Series, a game that Oregon State also won. Next up for Oregon State will be No. 13 Coastal Carolina, which defeated Arizona 7-4 earlier in the day to extend its nation-leading 24-game win streak, on June 15 at 7 p.m. ET. A win against the Chanticleers would advance the Beavers to the CWS semifinals. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oregon State opens College World Series with 4-3 walk-off win over Louisville
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Aiva Arquette scored from first base on Gavin Turley's drive into the left-field corner in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Oregon State a 4-3 walk-off victory over Louisville in the College World Series on Friday night. The Cardinals had tied the game with two runs in the top half before Oregon State recorded its fourth walk-off win of the season and second in four games. Advertisement The Beavers (48-14-1), back in Omaha for the first time since they won the national title in 2018, will play Coastal Carolina on Sunday after the Cardinals (40-22) meet Arizona in an elimination game. Arquette, a projected first-round pick in the MLB amateur draft next month, had had a rough night in the field before delivering his third base hit of the game with one out in the ninth. Turley then sent the first pitch from Jake Schweitzer (4-2) on a line into the corner. Left fielder Zion Rose tried to cut the ball off but couldn't come up with it, allowing Arquette to be waved home. Oregon State's dugout emptied, and Turley was drenched with a bucket of sports drink in the on-field celebration. In the Beavers' super regional opener last week, Turley scored the winning run on AJ Singer's walk-off single in a 5-4, 10-inning win over Florida State. The Cardinals, who trailed 3-1, stranded runners at third base in the sixth and seventh innings and couldn't score after getting their leadoff man on base in the eighth. Advertisement They broke through to tie it in the ninth against Kellan Oakes (5-0). Rose tripled to left when the ball got past Turley and rolled to the wall and Tague Davis followed with an RBI single. Alex Alicea reached on shortstop Arquette's throwing error and ended up on third when catcher Wilson Weber lost his grip on the ball as he tried to get Alicea at second. Kamau Neighbors drove in Alicea for the tying run with his liner to center before Oakes got a strikeout and groundout to end the inning. Oregon State starter Dax Whitney was nearly untouchable the first two times through the Louisville order. He mixed mid-90 mph fastballs with knee-buckling curveballs and changeups to strike out eight of the first 11 batters he faced, and the only hits against him through five innings were a couple balls poked through the infield. The 6-foot-5 right-hander from Blackfoot, Idaho, finished with nine strikeouts and left with one out in the sixth and two runners on base. Advertisement Louisville starter Patrick Forbes matched zeroes with Whitney through three innings, fanning five of the first nine he faced. He finished with 10 strikeouts and was replaced by Justin West with bases loaded in the sixth after he issued his only walk. West ended the inning with two strikeouts, but not before Canon Reeder made it 3-1 when Alicea couldn't pick up his sharply hit grounder. ___ AP college sports:
Associated Press
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Oregon State opens College World Series with 4-3 walk-off win over Louisville
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Aiva Arquette scored from first base on Gavin Turley's drive into the left-field corner in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Oregon State a 4-3 walk-off victory over Louisville in the College World Series on Friday night. The Cardinals had tied the game with two runs in the top half before Oregon State recorded its fourth walk-off win of the season and second in four games. The Beavers (48-14-1), back in Omaha for the first time since they won the national title in 2018, will play Coastal Carolina on Sunday after the Cardinals (40-22) meet Arizona in an elimination game. Arquette, a projected first-round pick in the MLB amateur draft next month, had had a rough night in the field before delivering his third base hit of the game with one out in the ninth. Turley then sent the first pitch from Jake Schweitzer (4-2) on a line into the corner. Left fielder Zion Rose tried to cut the ball off but couldn't come up with it, allowing Arquette to be waved home. Oregon State's dugout emptied, and Turley was drenched with a bucket of sports drink in the on-field celebration. In the Beavers' super regional opener last week, Turley scored the winning run on AJ Singer's walk-off single in a 5-4, 10-inning win over Florida State. The Cardinals, who trailed 3-1, stranded runners at third base in the sixth and seventh innings and couldn't score after getting their leadoff man on base in the eighth. They broke through to tie it in the ninth against Kellan Oakes (5-0). Rose tripled to left when the ball got past Turley and rolled to the wall and Tague Davis followed with an RBI single. Alex Alicea reached on shortstop Arquette's throwing error and ended up on third when catcher Wilson Weber lost his grip on the ball as he tried to get Alicea at second. Kamau Neighbors drove in Alicea for the tying run with his liner to center before Oakes got a strikeout and groundout to end the inning. Oregon State starter Dax Whitney was nearly untouchable the first two times through the Louisville order. He mixed mid-90 mph fastballs with knee-buckling curveballs and changeups to strike out eight of the first 11 batters he faced, and the only hits against him through five innings were a couple balls poked through the infield. The 6-foot-5 right-hander from Blackfoot, Idaho, finished with nine strikeouts and left with one out in the sixth and two runners on base. Louisville starter Patrick Forbes matched zeroes with Whitney through three innings, fanning five of the first nine he faced. He finished with 10 strikeouts and was replaced by Justin West with bases loaded in the sixth after he issued his only walk. West ended the inning with two strikeouts, but not before Canon Reeder made it 3-1 when Alicea couldn't pick up his sharply hit grounder. ___ AP college sports:
