Pakistan Agriculture Developments
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China to assist in setting up date processing plants
High-level visits between two sides open new horizons of cooperation
APP
September 19, 2020
ISLAMABAD: High-level visits of delegations between Pakistan and China have opened up new horizons of cooperation, particularly in the field of agriculture, through the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and other agreements, said Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam.
His comments came at a farewell meeting with outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing on Friday.
During the meeting, Imam appreciated Yao's contribution to the deepening of bilateral ties between the two countries. It was decided that China would assist in developing date processing plants and onion cold storages in southern Balochistan.
The minister acknowledged the growing friendly relations between the two countries and reiterated the importance Pakistan attached to its partnership with China. He was of the view that the Chinese envoy's efforts aimed at growth of bilateral cooperation in all spheres had further strengthened brotherly ties between the two neighbours.
He appreciated the ambassador's efforts to push bilateral cooperation within the economic framework under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The minister praised Yao's contribution to the growth of agricultural cooperation as well as his efforts to appoint an agricultural counsellor in the Chinese embassy, which helped in effective coordination in all areas of the farm sector. He lauded the ambassador's interest and continued help in Pakistan's efforts to fight locust and Covid-19.
"CPEC will go a long way towards further strengthening bilateral relations as well as development of agriculture and livestock sectors in Pakistan," remarked Imam.
The ambassador had called for holding a working-level meeting between the two nations to kick-start the process for a joint working group, he said.
Accordingly, a delegation of Pakistan, led by a senior joint secretary, visited the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (China) in July 2019, he added.
"The first China-Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation forum provided a platform for business-to-business interaction with participation of leading business enterprises from both sides and conclusion of private sector-related MoUs."
Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2020.
High-level visits between two sides open new horizons of cooperation
APP
September 19, 2020
ISLAMABAD: High-level visits of delegations between Pakistan and China have opened up new horizons of cooperation, particularly in the field of agriculture, through the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and other agreements, said Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam.
His comments came at a farewell meeting with outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing on Friday.
During the meeting, Imam appreciated Yao's contribution to the deepening of bilateral ties between the two countries. It was decided that China would assist in developing date processing plants and onion cold storages in southern Balochistan.
The minister acknowledged the growing friendly relations between the two countries and reiterated the importance Pakistan attached to its partnership with China. He was of the view that the Chinese envoy's efforts aimed at growth of bilateral cooperation in all spheres had further strengthened brotherly ties between the two neighbours.
He appreciated the ambassador's efforts to push bilateral cooperation within the economic framework under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The minister praised Yao's contribution to the growth of agricultural cooperation as well as his efforts to appoint an agricultural counsellor in the Chinese embassy, which helped in effective coordination in all areas of the farm sector. He lauded the ambassador's interest and continued help in Pakistan's efforts to fight locust and Covid-19.
"CPEC will go a long way towards further strengthening bilateral relations as well as development of agriculture and livestock sectors in Pakistan," remarked Imam.
The ambassador had called for holding a working-level meeting between the two nations to kick-start the process for a joint working group, he said.
Accordingly, a delegation of Pakistan, led by a senior joint secretary, visited the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (China) in July 2019, he added.
"The first China-Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation forum provided a platform for business-to-business interaction with participation of leading business enterprises from both sides and conclusion of private sector-related MoUs."
Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2020.
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PFA get FM radio licence
The Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has assured PFA of every possible assistance
September 27, 2020
RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has obtained a license to launch its FM radio channel. The measure has been taken to sensitise the people about adulterated and substandard quality products.
The radio channel is expected to start broadcasting from the beginning of next year.
The authority would air shows by inviting health and food experts to create awareness among the people. Different cooking programmes and those related to women would also be aired on the channel.
The authority will also air a list of items declared hazardous to prevent people from purchasing them. The Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has assured PFA of every possible assistance.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2020.
The Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has assured PFA of every possible assistance
September 27, 2020
RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has obtained a license to launch its FM radio channel. The measure has been taken to sensitise the people about adulterated and substandard quality products.
The radio channel is expected to start broadcasting from the beginning of next year.
The authority would air shows by inviting health and food experts to create awareness among the people. Different cooking programmes and those related to women would also be aired on the channel.
The authority will also air a list of items declared hazardous to prevent people from purchasing them. The Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has assured PFA of every possible assistance.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2020.
ghazi52
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Subsidy scheme launched for agriculture sector
NFS ministry says govt to bear mark-up of 10% on loan
September 28, 2020
ISLAMABAD: The national food security and research ministry has launched a mark-up subsidy scheme under the fiscal package announced by the prime minister for the agriculture sector to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“An amount of Rs6.861 billion would be spent on 10 per cent mark-up subsidy on the agriculture loans disbursed by the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL),” according to an official statement issued on Sunday.
The scheme is valid all over the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, it added.
The government would bear mark-up of 10% on agricultural loan for the fiscal year 2020-21 (July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021), and an individual farmer shall bear the balance mark-up as per the agreed terms. “Farmers up to 12.5 acres of landholding with the passbook as collateral are eligible,” it stated. The subsidy shall also be available on the date of full payment of the loan or the due date, or up to June 30, 2021, whichever is earlier.
In case of default, it added that the borrower shall be liable to pay the applicable mark-up for the defaulted period. All agri-loans (production and development) falling under as per the above criteria are eligible. Farmers are advised to contact the nearest ZTBL branch for the adjustment of the subsidy against their loans.
The national food ministry has also launched a cotton whitefly subsidy scheme wherein an amount of Rs6 billion would be spent as subsidy on purchase of whitefly related pesticides.
Further, a subsidy at the rate of Rs300 per pack of pesticide meant for whitefly is being offered. The subsidy would be Rs300 per application at an average of four applications per acre and would cover five million acres in Punjab and Sindh, which is around 80% of the cotton area. The scheme is operational and cotton growers are advised to purchase subsidised pesticides, which are available in the market.
NFS ministry says govt to bear mark-up of 10% on loan
September 28, 2020
ISLAMABAD: The national food security and research ministry has launched a mark-up subsidy scheme under the fiscal package announced by the prime minister for the agriculture sector to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“An amount of Rs6.861 billion would be spent on 10 per cent mark-up subsidy on the agriculture loans disbursed by the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL),” according to an official statement issued on Sunday.
The scheme is valid all over the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, it added.
The government would bear mark-up of 10% on agricultural loan for the fiscal year 2020-21 (July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021), and an individual farmer shall bear the balance mark-up as per the agreed terms. “Farmers up to 12.5 acres of landholding with the passbook as collateral are eligible,” it stated. The subsidy shall also be available on the date of full payment of the loan or the due date, or up to June 30, 2021, whichever is earlier.
In case of default, it added that the borrower shall be liable to pay the applicable mark-up for the defaulted period. All agri-loans (production and development) falling under as per the above criteria are eligible. Farmers are advised to contact the nearest ZTBL branch for the adjustment of the subsidy against their loans.
The national food ministry has also launched a cotton whitefly subsidy scheme wherein an amount of Rs6 billion would be spent as subsidy on purchase of whitefly related pesticides.
Further, a subsidy at the rate of Rs300 per pack of pesticide meant for whitefly is being offered. The subsidy would be Rs300 per application at an average of four applications per acre and would cover five million acres in Punjab and Sindh, which is around 80% of the cotton area. The scheme is operational and cotton growers are advised to purchase subsidised pesticides, which are available in the market.
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IRSA forecast 10 per cent water shortage for Rabi season
The Frontier Post
October 1, 2020
ISLAMABAD: The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Advisory Commit-tee on Thursday forecast 10 per cent water shortage for Sindh and Punjab in Rabi season 2020-21, starting from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
The anticipated shortage was finalized at IRSA’s Advisory Committee meeting held with Syed Zahid Abbas in the Chair to finalize water share of provinces for the Rabi season 2020-21.
The Basin-wide shortage was approved as 10% which was less than previous Rabi 2019-20’s forecasted shortage of 15% and actual shortage of 20%.
The likely water availability at canal heads of 32.968 MAF was 13% higher than last year’s availability of 29.20 MAF and 9% higher than 10-year’s average of 30.22 MAF. It was agreed by the participants that the likely projected shortages were manageable and hopefully the cropping targets for Rabi 2020-21 would be achieved be applying efficient and best water management practices.
It was also decided that remaining within the above indicated likely shares, the provinces would submit their withdrawal plans within 15 days.
IRSA Advisory Committee reviewed the Kharif 2020 system operation and observed that the actual Rim-Station inflows of 97.80 MAF remained 10% less than forecasted volume of 108.24 MAF.
Despite reduction in inflows, the Committee expressed satisfaction that the actual provincial withdrawals remained at 65.106 MAF and provinces got indented supplies.
By the Grace of Almighty Allah both Tarbela and Mangla Reservoirs were filled to their maximum capacity on 28th August, 2020 by efficient and integrated operation of IRSA despite below normal inflows. The actual system losses were 12.374 MAF as compared to anticipation of 17.633 MAF and downstream Kotri releases remained 14.698 MAF.
The Committee appreciated the efforts of Chief Engineer Chashma Barrage regarding the flushing of sediments from the reservoir carried out in last Ten-daily of August, 2020.
It was expected that this flushing operation would reclaim considerable lost storage volume.
The Committee also valued the facilitation of IRSA and the role of Flood Mitigation Committee (FMC) of Mangla Reservoir in mitigating of flood peaks in late August 2020, successfully.
IRSA Advisory Committee discussed the recommendations of IRSA Technical Committee Mee-ting held on 25.09.2020 and approved likely Anticipated Water Availability of 23.444 MAF at rim stations during Rabi 2020-21 of which Indus @ Tarbela will be 8.574 MAF, Kabul @ Nowshera 4.326 MAF, Jhelum @ Mangla 4.902 MAF, Chenab @ Marala 4.442 MAF and eastern Rivers Component 1.200 MAF.
Based on the above Rim Station Inflows plus storage release of 12.054 MAF minus the expected system losses of 2.487 MAF and minor involuntary escapage downstream Kotri of 0.044 MAF, the approved likely availability at respective provincial canal heads is estimated to be 32.968 MAF of which the share of Punjab will be 17.813 MAF, Sindh 13.433 MAF, KPK (CRBC)0.701 MAF and Balochistan 1.022 MAF, Balochistan and KP are exempted from shortages. .
The IRSA Advisory Committee also approved additional allocation of 0.149 MAF for Kachhi Canal of Balochistan. However, carry-over storage of 0.5 MAF for Early Kharif 2021 was linked with mid-season-review of the anticipated Rabi Criteria 2020-21 and in case of better inflows carry-over storage provision would be revisited.
The Committee was apprised that Commonw-ealth Scientific and Indu-strial Research Organiza-tion (CSIRO) – within the umbrella of Australian Aid and under supervision of IRSA, MoWR, WAPDA and focal persons of the provinces – had prepared a software named as Water Apportionment (WAA) Tool, which forecasted Rim-Station inflows and performed system operation by running the reservoirs on set rules, routing the flows in the river network with accompanying losses / gains, allocating shares to the provinces on different sharing options and releasing excess water downstream Kotri, if available.
It followed the same statistical and analytical techniques as manually adopted by IRSA and thus saved a lot of time by calculating system operation in a matter of seconds. With this ease of fast computing, the Tool had the capacity to calculate and present with different system operation scenarios, which previously consumed a lot of time.
The Committee was informed that calculations of the Tool for Anticipated Criteria Rabi 2020-21 matched exactly with the assessments of IRSA and that the shortage predicted by the Tool was also 10 %.
The Committee appreciated the efforts of CSIRO, IRSA and all others involved in the development of the WAA Tool.
It was also agreed that IRSA would impart briefing to PIDs regarding the development and working of the WAA Tool.
The Frontier Post
October 1, 2020
ISLAMABAD: The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Advisory Commit-tee on Thursday forecast 10 per cent water shortage for Sindh and Punjab in Rabi season 2020-21, starting from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
The anticipated shortage was finalized at IRSA’s Advisory Committee meeting held with Syed Zahid Abbas in the Chair to finalize water share of provinces for the Rabi season 2020-21.
The Basin-wide shortage was approved as 10% which was less than previous Rabi 2019-20’s forecasted shortage of 15% and actual shortage of 20%.
The likely water availability at canal heads of 32.968 MAF was 13% higher than last year’s availability of 29.20 MAF and 9% higher than 10-year’s average of 30.22 MAF. It was agreed by the participants that the likely projected shortages were manageable and hopefully the cropping targets for Rabi 2020-21 would be achieved be applying efficient and best water management practices.
It was also decided that remaining within the above indicated likely shares, the provinces would submit their withdrawal plans within 15 days.
IRSA Advisory Committee reviewed the Kharif 2020 system operation and observed that the actual Rim-Station inflows of 97.80 MAF remained 10% less than forecasted volume of 108.24 MAF.
Despite reduction in inflows, the Committee expressed satisfaction that the actual provincial withdrawals remained at 65.106 MAF and provinces got indented supplies.
By the Grace of Almighty Allah both Tarbela and Mangla Reservoirs were filled to their maximum capacity on 28th August, 2020 by efficient and integrated operation of IRSA despite below normal inflows. The actual system losses were 12.374 MAF as compared to anticipation of 17.633 MAF and downstream Kotri releases remained 14.698 MAF.
The Committee appreciated the efforts of Chief Engineer Chashma Barrage regarding the flushing of sediments from the reservoir carried out in last Ten-daily of August, 2020.
It was expected that this flushing operation would reclaim considerable lost storage volume.
The Committee also valued the facilitation of IRSA and the role of Flood Mitigation Committee (FMC) of Mangla Reservoir in mitigating of flood peaks in late August 2020, successfully.
IRSA Advisory Committee discussed the recommendations of IRSA Technical Committee Mee-ting held on 25.09.2020 and approved likely Anticipated Water Availability of 23.444 MAF at rim stations during Rabi 2020-21 of which Indus @ Tarbela will be 8.574 MAF, Kabul @ Nowshera 4.326 MAF, Jhelum @ Mangla 4.902 MAF, Chenab @ Marala 4.442 MAF and eastern Rivers Component 1.200 MAF.
Based on the above Rim Station Inflows plus storage release of 12.054 MAF minus the expected system losses of 2.487 MAF and minor involuntary escapage downstream Kotri of 0.044 MAF, the approved likely availability at respective provincial canal heads is estimated to be 32.968 MAF of which the share of Punjab will be 17.813 MAF, Sindh 13.433 MAF, KPK (CRBC)0.701 MAF and Balochistan 1.022 MAF, Balochistan and KP are exempted from shortages. .
The IRSA Advisory Committee also approved additional allocation of 0.149 MAF for Kachhi Canal of Balochistan. However, carry-over storage of 0.5 MAF for Early Kharif 2021 was linked with mid-season-review of the anticipated Rabi Criteria 2020-21 and in case of better inflows carry-over storage provision would be revisited.
The Committee was apprised that Commonw-ealth Scientific and Indu-strial Research Organiza-tion (CSIRO) – within the umbrella of Australian Aid and under supervision of IRSA, MoWR, WAPDA and focal persons of the provinces – had prepared a software named as Water Apportionment (WAA) Tool, which forecasted Rim-Station inflows and performed system operation by running the reservoirs on set rules, routing the flows in the river network with accompanying losses / gains, allocating shares to the provinces on different sharing options and releasing excess water downstream Kotri, if available.
It followed the same statistical and analytical techniques as manually adopted by IRSA and thus saved a lot of time by calculating system operation in a matter of seconds. With this ease of fast computing, the Tool had the capacity to calculate and present with different system operation scenarios, which previously consumed a lot of time.
The Committee was informed that calculations of the Tool for Anticipated Criteria Rabi 2020-21 matched exactly with the assessments of IRSA and that the shortage predicted by the Tool was also 10 %.
The Committee appreciated the efforts of CSIRO, IRSA and all others involved in the development of the WAA Tool.
It was also agreed that IRSA would impart briefing to PIDs regarding the development and working of the WAA Tool.
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SHC directs irrigation dept to ensure water supply to agricultural farms
The Frontier Post
October 2, 2020
SUKKUR (APP): The Sindh High Court, Circuit Bench, Sukkur on Friday has ordered Executive Engineer and SDO Irrigation Khairpur to ensure irrigation water supply to the petitioners within 14 days as per the water sharing list.
The Sindh High Court, circuit bench, comprising Justice Aftab Ahmed Gorar and Justice Adnan Iqbal Siddiqui heard a constitutional petition in which the petitioners had sought the court’s direction against the irrigation department for not supplying water to their lands for the last seven years, turning their 1,500 acres barren in Choundiko, Khairpur.
The counsel for the petitioners said that the irrigation department was not responding to their complaints.
They blamed that influentials of the Nara Town, including Bakhsh Ali Aradin, Saith Ali Arain and others, have managed to get their watercourses shut down illegally while they continue to get uninterrupted water supply since 2013.
Following the arguments, Justice Aftab Ahmed Gorar and Justice Adnan Iqbal Siddiqui ordered the irrigation authorities to provide water to the petitioners within 14 days according to the water share list and submit them a compliance report.
The Frontier Post
October 2, 2020
SUKKUR (APP): The Sindh High Court, Circuit Bench, Sukkur on Friday has ordered Executive Engineer and SDO Irrigation Khairpur to ensure irrigation water supply to the petitioners within 14 days as per the water sharing list.
The Sindh High Court, circuit bench, comprising Justice Aftab Ahmed Gorar and Justice Adnan Iqbal Siddiqui heard a constitutional petition in which the petitioners had sought the court’s direction against the irrigation department for not supplying water to their lands for the last seven years, turning their 1,500 acres barren in Choundiko, Khairpur.
The counsel for the petitioners said that the irrigation department was not responding to their complaints.
They blamed that influentials of the Nara Town, including Bakhsh Ali Aradin, Saith Ali Arain and others, have managed to get their watercourses shut down illegally while they continue to get uninterrupted water supply since 2013.
Following the arguments, Justice Aftab Ahmed Gorar and Justice Adnan Iqbal Siddiqui ordered the irrigation authorities to provide water to the petitioners within 14 days according to the water share list and submit them a compliance report.
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Eight agricultural institutes to be set up under CPEC phase II, bringing CPEC to new heights.
Led by the private sector and facilitated by both govts, the institutes will focus on pest control, improvement seed quality, processing of agricultural produce, etc.
Led by the private sector and facilitated by both govts, the institutes will focus on pest control, improvement seed quality, processing of agricultural produce, etc.
Punjab Invested Huge In Agriculture Sector During Last Two Years
3 months ago Wed 02nd September 2020 | 03:20 PM
MULTAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2020 ) :Punjab secretary agriculture Wasif Khursheed has said that provincial government opted for liberal funding on agriculture sector, particularly research and farm mechanization to enhance agriculture production and improve financial standing of farmers.
A sum of Rs 16 billion was spent on research activities alone resulting in introduction of 80 new high yielding crop varieties and enhanced production during last two years, Wasif Khursheed said in a statement.
He said that modern agriculture machinery worth Rs 300 million has so far been provided to farmers at subsidized price while another Rs 572 million were doled out to them for promotion of oil seed crops including canola, sunflower and sesame.
Exactly 7500 laser land levellers were being provided to farmers at subsidized prices and 10,000 water courses were being lined in irrigated areas.
Punjab secretary agriculture said that drip and sprinkler irrigation systems were being provided at 50 per cent subsidized price while solar systems to power them carry 60 per cent subsidy relief. A Rs 1200 subsidy was being provided on each bag of paddy seed in fifteen districts of Punjab and Rs 800 per seed bag of non-Basmati varieties.
A sum of Rs 3.68 billion was being utilized to provide solar systems to farmers to power their drip/sprinkler irrigation systems. Another Rs 3.96 billion was being spent on laser land levelling of 30,000 acres area and installation of modern irrigation systems on 2000 acre area besides development of 20 ponds with facility of solar pumping stations in command area district Jhelum and Khushab under Jalalpur irrigation project.
Wasif khursheed said, relief was being provided through smart subsidy and under PM's agriculture emergency programme on Phosphorous, and Potash fertilizers besides wheat, cotton, paddy, sunflower, canola, Moong and sesame seeds. Around 350,000 farmers benefited from e-voucher smart subsidy scheme in 2019-20 while another 100,000 farmers benefited from subsidy on seeds and so far a sum of Rs 2.89 billion has been paid to farmers by provincial government.
Total 539,439 farmers availed crop Takaful/insurance schemes and Punjab agriculture department has so far paid Rs 980 million as premium to insurance companies.
Rs 12 billion worth interest free loans were extended to farmers after per acre loan ceiling was enhanced from Rs 25000 to 30000 for Rabi crops and from Rs 40000 to Rs 50000 for Kharif crops. Substandard pesticides and fertilizers worth Rs 170 million was seized and over 1000 people were named in 900 FIRs.
Some 21 laboratories working under Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI) got ISO-17025 recognition. In 24 locust-hit districts, 14.7 million acre area was monitored and 756000 acre area was brought under anti-locust spray employing modern machinery.
He said, Punjab recorded 19.5 million ton wheat production in 2019-20 that was a million ton up from previous year while gram was cultivated on 200,000 acre area that yielded 430,000 ton production, up by 53000 ton compared to previous year. Canola production was recorded at 76000 ton recording a 100 per cent production increase compared to previous year, Wasif Khursheed said
www.urdupoint.com
3 months ago Wed 02nd September 2020 | 03:20 PM
MULTAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2020 ) :Punjab secretary agriculture Wasif Khursheed has said that provincial government opted for liberal funding on agriculture sector, particularly research and farm mechanization to enhance agriculture production and improve financial standing of farmers.
A sum of Rs 16 billion was spent on research activities alone resulting in introduction of 80 new high yielding crop varieties and enhanced production during last two years, Wasif Khursheed said in a statement.
He said that modern agriculture machinery worth Rs 300 million has so far been provided to farmers at subsidized price while another Rs 572 million were doled out to them for promotion of oil seed crops including canola, sunflower and sesame.
Exactly 7500 laser land levellers were being provided to farmers at subsidized prices and 10,000 water courses were being lined in irrigated areas.
Punjab secretary agriculture said that drip and sprinkler irrigation systems were being provided at 50 per cent subsidized price while solar systems to power them carry 60 per cent subsidy relief. A Rs 1200 subsidy was being provided on each bag of paddy seed in fifteen districts of Punjab and Rs 800 per seed bag of non-Basmati varieties.
A sum of Rs 3.68 billion was being utilized to provide solar systems to farmers to power their drip/sprinkler irrigation systems. Another Rs 3.96 billion was being spent on laser land levelling of 30,000 acres area and installation of modern irrigation systems on 2000 acre area besides development of 20 ponds with facility of solar pumping stations in command area district Jhelum and Khushab under Jalalpur irrigation project.
Wasif khursheed said, relief was being provided through smart subsidy and under PM's agriculture emergency programme on Phosphorous, and Potash fertilizers besides wheat, cotton, paddy, sunflower, canola, Moong and sesame seeds. Around 350,000 farmers benefited from e-voucher smart subsidy scheme in 2019-20 while another 100,000 farmers benefited from subsidy on seeds and so far a sum of Rs 2.89 billion has been paid to farmers by provincial government.
Total 539,439 farmers availed crop Takaful/insurance schemes and Punjab agriculture department has so far paid Rs 980 million as premium to insurance companies.
Rs 12 billion worth interest free loans were extended to farmers after per acre loan ceiling was enhanced from Rs 25000 to 30000 for Rabi crops and from Rs 40000 to Rs 50000 for Kharif crops. Substandard pesticides and fertilizers worth Rs 170 million was seized and over 1000 people were named in 900 FIRs.
Some 21 laboratories working under Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI) got ISO-17025 recognition. In 24 locust-hit districts, 14.7 million acre area was monitored and 756000 acre area was brought under anti-locust spray employing modern machinery.
He said, Punjab recorded 19.5 million ton wheat production in 2019-20 that was a million ton up from previous year while gram was cultivated on 200,000 acre area that yielded 430,000 ton production, up by 53000 ton compared to previous year. Canola production was recorded at 76000 ton recording a 100 per cent production increase compared to previous year, Wasif Khursheed said
Punjab Invested Huge In Agriculture Sector During Last Two Years - UrduPoint
Punjab secretary agriculture Wasif Khursheed has said that provincial government opted for liberal funding on agriculture sector, particularly research and farm mechanization to enhance agriculture production and improve financial standing of farmers. A sum of Rs 16 billion was spent on research...
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Govt looks to new tech to curb crop burning and cut smog
Reuters
08 Dec 2020
A mulcher is attached to a tractor to mix stubble into the soil. It is an alternative for disposing of stubble without burning
Air pollution is a long-standing problem in Pakistan, but every October and November contaminates in the air in Punjab shoot up as farmers burn rice stalks left behind after harvesting to clear their fields to plant wheat.
During these cooler months, Lahore, which is surrounded by rice-growing districts, is covered with thick smog.
“It is a health emergency the air quality monitors in Lahore routinely show hazardous levels in November,” said Farah Rashid, a climate and energy programme coordinator for green group WWF-Pakistan.
Now, the Punjab government hopes to tackle the problem by providing 500 rice farmers around Lahore with a set of machines that together eliminate the need to burn crop stubble.
The machines include a shredder that breaks down rice stubble and mulches it into the ground and a seed drill — called the Happy Seeder — that follows to sow wheat through the mulch.
“It's a useful technology,” said farmer Aaamer Hayat Bhandara, who has used both machines at a friend's large farm, and has pushed the government to subsidise them.
“These machines used together could really make life much easier for us farmers,” said Bhandara, from Pakpattan.
Malik Amin Aslam, special assistant to the prime minister on climate change (SAPM), called air pollution a “silent killer” and said Lahore's smog had increased in intensity and frequency over the last five years.
He explained that rice farmers traditionally use combine harvesters to cut their rice in October, leaving behind about four inches of stubble.
With less than two weeks before they have to ready their fields to sow wheat, burning is the fastest way to clear the land, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Rice is grown on an area of about five million acres, mainly in Punjab and Sindh. Many of the fields are cleared by burning every year.
In October and November, Lahore's Air Quality Index level can jump to over 300, a number that the United States Environmental Protection Agency says corresponds to a “health warning of emergency conditions”.
Cutting emissions
Farmers say the new farm equipment can help combat smog, but note that crop burning produces only a small share of the province's pollution.
“The stubble is burned only for a few weeks in the winter. It is a fact that the problem becomes worse during this short period,” Bhandara said.
“But farmers are not the only reason for this pollution,” he added.
A 2018 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on the underlying causes of smog in Punjab noted that agriculture — mainly rice residue burning — accounts for 20 per cent of total air pollutant emissions.
That puts it behind industry, which produces a quarter of the air pollution in the province, and transport, which contributes more than 40pc.
Tackling air pollution — and leaving stubble on the soil as mulch, rather than burning it — also has the benefit of reducing carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
In India, where farmers have been using the rice stubble shredder and Happy Seeder for the past few years, a group of scientists published a report last year stating the technology could cut greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 78pc.
Ejaz Ahmad, an environmental expert with the Institute of Urbanism in Islamabad, said any efforts to curb air pollution will benefit Pakistanis.
“The Happy Seeder seems like a useful machine,” he said.
Chosen by lottery
In Mandi Bahauddin district, where the famed Basmati rice is grown, Muhammad Afzal, an agriculture officer at Punjab's Government Agriculture Seed Farm, has been experimenting with the Happy Seeder for the past two years.
“Stubble management is a serious issue for farmers,” said Afzal, who helps farmers adopt new farming techniques.
There are penalties for rice stubble burning, including fines of up to Rs20,000 per acre — but most farmers have little other choice and simply continue the practice and pay the penalty when they are charged.
But a growing number are looking for alternative solutions, Afzal said.
The total cost for the stubble shredder and Happy Seeder is about Rs637,500, and the government this year is paying about 80pc of the price for 500 farmers, he noted.
“For those who can't afford it, bigger farmers are willing to rent out the machines. In the future, more service providers will come up to rent them out,” Afzal said.
One drawback to the machines, he noted, is the need to mount them on the back of a tractor — and not just any tractor will do.
“It requires a large, 85-horsepower tractor,” he noted, something most rice farmers in Pakistan do not have.
Bhandara, the farmer in Pakpattan, said the subsidised machines also are only available in certain districts around Lahore, in the so-called smog “red zone”.
“The subsidised machines should be made available to rice farmers in South Punjab and Sindh as well, otherwise they are too expensive for most farmers,” he said.
Despite the limitations, the Happy Seeder has proven so popular that the government has had 10 applicants for each of its 500 machines, according to SAPM Aslam. He said authorities are using a lottery system to decide who gets the subsidised equipment.
The government has plans to expand the Happy Seeder programme next year and cover the whole of the Punjab rice belt by 2023, Aslam noted. In the meantime, he added, it is already working on a technology upgrade.
“The agriculture extension department has developed a prototype to combine the two shredder [and] seeder machines into one 'Pak Seeder', which will be even more effective and efficient” — plus 30pc cheaper, he said.
Reuters
08 Dec 2020
A mulcher is attached to a tractor to mix stubble into the soil. It is an alternative for disposing of stubble without burning
Air pollution is a long-standing problem in Pakistan, but every October and November contaminates in the air in Punjab shoot up as farmers burn rice stalks left behind after harvesting to clear their fields to plant wheat.
During these cooler months, Lahore, which is surrounded by rice-growing districts, is covered with thick smog.
“It is a health emergency the air quality monitors in Lahore routinely show hazardous levels in November,” said Farah Rashid, a climate and energy programme coordinator for green group WWF-Pakistan.
Now, the Punjab government hopes to tackle the problem by providing 500 rice farmers around Lahore with a set of machines that together eliminate the need to burn crop stubble.
The machines include a shredder that breaks down rice stubble and mulches it into the ground and a seed drill — called the Happy Seeder — that follows to sow wheat through the mulch.
“It's a useful technology,” said farmer Aaamer Hayat Bhandara, who has used both machines at a friend's large farm, and has pushed the government to subsidise them.
“These machines used together could really make life much easier for us farmers,” said Bhandara, from Pakpattan.
Malik Amin Aslam, special assistant to the prime minister on climate change (SAPM), called air pollution a “silent killer” and said Lahore's smog had increased in intensity and frequency over the last five years.
He explained that rice farmers traditionally use combine harvesters to cut their rice in October, leaving behind about four inches of stubble.
With less than two weeks before they have to ready their fields to sow wheat, burning is the fastest way to clear the land, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Rice is grown on an area of about five million acres, mainly in Punjab and Sindh. Many of the fields are cleared by burning every year.
In October and November, Lahore's Air Quality Index level can jump to over 300, a number that the United States Environmental Protection Agency says corresponds to a “health warning of emergency conditions”.
Cutting emissions
Farmers say the new farm equipment can help combat smog, but note that crop burning produces only a small share of the province's pollution.
“The stubble is burned only for a few weeks in the winter. It is a fact that the problem becomes worse during this short period,” Bhandara said.
“But farmers are not the only reason for this pollution,” he added.
A 2018 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on the underlying causes of smog in Punjab noted that agriculture — mainly rice residue burning — accounts for 20 per cent of total air pollutant emissions.
That puts it behind industry, which produces a quarter of the air pollution in the province, and transport, which contributes more than 40pc.
Tackling air pollution — and leaving stubble on the soil as mulch, rather than burning it — also has the benefit of reducing carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
In India, where farmers have been using the rice stubble shredder and Happy Seeder for the past few years, a group of scientists published a report last year stating the technology could cut greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 78pc.
Ejaz Ahmad, an environmental expert with the Institute of Urbanism in Islamabad, said any efforts to curb air pollution will benefit Pakistanis.
“The Happy Seeder seems like a useful machine,” he said.
Chosen by lottery
In Mandi Bahauddin district, where the famed Basmati rice is grown, Muhammad Afzal, an agriculture officer at Punjab's Government Agriculture Seed Farm, has been experimenting with the Happy Seeder for the past two years.
“Stubble management is a serious issue for farmers,” said Afzal, who helps farmers adopt new farming techniques.
There are penalties for rice stubble burning, including fines of up to Rs20,000 per acre — but most farmers have little other choice and simply continue the practice and pay the penalty when they are charged.
But a growing number are looking for alternative solutions, Afzal said.
The total cost for the stubble shredder and Happy Seeder is about Rs637,500, and the government this year is paying about 80pc of the price for 500 farmers, he noted.
“For those who can't afford it, bigger farmers are willing to rent out the machines. In the future, more service providers will come up to rent them out,” Afzal said.
One drawback to the machines, he noted, is the need to mount them on the back of a tractor — and not just any tractor will do.
“It requires a large, 85-horsepower tractor,” he noted, something most rice farmers in Pakistan do not have.
Bhandara, the farmer in Pakpattan, said the subsidised machines also are only available in certain districts around Lahore, in the so-called smog “red zone”.
“The subsidised machines should be made available to rice farmers in South Punjab and Sindh as well, otherwise they are too expensive for most farmers,” he said.
Despite the limitations, the Happy Seeder has proven so popular that the government has had 10 applicants for each of its 500 machines, according to SAPM Aslam. He said authorities are using a lottery system to decide who gets the subsidised equipment.
The government has plans to expand the Happy Seeder programme next year and cover the whole of the Punjab rice belt by 2023, Aslam noted. In the meantime, he added, it is already working on a technology upgrade.
“The agriculture extension department has developed a prototype to combine the two shredder [and] seeder machines into one 'Pak Seeder', which will be even more effective and efficient” — plus 30pc cheaper, he said.
ghazi52
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Agricultural sector expected to grow over 2.8%: report
The agricultural sector is expected to achieve a growth target of 2.8% or even surpass it on the back of better production of sugarcane and rice, improved farm economics, lower input costs and timely support packages announced by the government, According to the latest “Monthly Economic Update & Outlook” report issued by the Finance Division
Pakistansdefender
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If a single media house would do program on this. Then people from far flung areas would know.
They should do one program daily for agriculture. Show new technologies, identitfy the areas where government can improve, and just give the basic understanding to farmers by sharing people having good experiences.
They should do one program daily for agriculture. Show new technologies, identitfy the areas where government can improve, and just give the basic understanding to farmers by sharing people having good experiences.
Govt looks to new tech to curb crop burning and cut smog
Reuters
08 Dec 2020
A mulcher is attached to a tractor to mix stubble into the soil. It is an alternative for disposing of stubble without burning
Air pollution is a long-standing problem in Pakistan, but every October and November contaminates in the air in Punjab shoot up as farmers burn rice stalks left behind after harvesting to clear their fields to plant wheat.
During these cooler months, Lahore, which is surrounded by rice-growing districts, is covered with thick smog.
“It is a health emergency the air quality monitors in Lahore routinely show hazardous levels in November,” said Farah Rashid, a climate and energy programme coordinator for green group WWF-Pakistan.
Now, the Punjab government hopes to tackle the problem by providing 500 rice farmers around Lahore with a set of machines that together eliminate the need to burn crop stubble.
The machines include a shredder that breaks down rice stubble and mulches it into the ground and a seed drill — called the Happy Seeder — that follows to sow wheat through the mulch.
“It's a useful technology,” said farmer Aaamer Hayat Bhandara, who has used both machines at a friend's large farm, and has pushed the government to subsidise them.
“These machines used together could really make life much easier for us farmers,” said Bhandara, from Pakpattan.
Malik Amin Aslam, special assistant to the prime minister on climate change (SAPM), called air pollution a “silent killer” and said Lahore's smog had increased in intensity and frequency over the last five years.
He explained that rice farmers traditionally use combine harvesters to cut their rice in October, leaving behind about four inches of stubble.
With less than two weeks before they have to ready their fields to sow wheat, burning is the fastest way to clear the land, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Rice is grown on an area of about five million acres, mainly in Punjab and Sindh. Many of the fields are cleared by burning every year.
In October and November, Lahore's Air Quality Index level can jump to over 300, a number that the United States Environmental Protection Agency says corresponds to a “health warning of emergency conditions”.
Cutting emissions
Farmers say the new farm equipment can help combat smog, but note that crop burning produces only a small share of the province's pollution.
“The stubble is burned only for a few weeks in the winter. It is a fact that the problem becomes worse during this short period,” Bhandara said.
“But farmers are not the only reason for this pollution,” he added.
A 2018 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on the underlying causes of smog in Punjab noted that agriculture — mainly rice residue burning — accounts for 20 per cent of total air pollutant emissions.
That puts it behind industry, which produces a quarter of the air pollution in the province, and transport, which contributes more than 40pc.
Tackling air pollution — and leaving stubble on the soil as mulch, rather than burning it — also has the benefit of reducing carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
In India, where farmers have been using the rice stubble shredder and Happy Seeder for the past few years, a group of scientists published a report last year stating the technology could cut greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 78pc.
Ejaz Ahmad, an environmental expert with the Institute of Urbanism in Islamabad, said any efforts to curb air pollution will benefit Pakistanis.
“The Happy Seeder seems like a useful machine,” he said.
Chosen by lottery
In Mandi Bahauddin district, where the famed Basmati rice is grown, Muhammad Afzal, an agriculture officer at Punjab's Government Agriculture Seed Farm, has been experimenting with the Happy Seeder for the past two years.
“Stubble management is a serious issue for farmers,” said Afzal, who helps farmers adopt new farming techniques.
There are penalties for rice stubble burning, including fines of up to Rs20,000 per acre — but most farmers have little other choice and simply continue the practice and pay the penalty when they are charged.
But a growing number are looking for alternative solutions, Afzal said.
The total cost for the stubble shredder and Happy Seeder is about Rs637,500, and the government this year is paying about 80pc of the price for 500 farmers, he noted.
“For those who can't afford it, bigger farmers are willing to rent out the machines. In the future, more service providers will come up to rent them out,” Afzal said.
One drawback to the machines, he noted, is the need to mount them on the back of a tractor — and not just any tractor will do.
“It requires a large, 85-horsepower tractor,” he noted, something most rice farmers in Pakistan do not have.
Bhandara, the farmer in Pakpattan, said the subsidised machines also are only available in certain districts around Lahore, in the so-called smog “red zone”.
“The subsidised machines should be made available to rice farmers in South Punjab and Sindh as well, otherwise they are too expensive for most farmers,” he said.
Despite the limitations, the Happy Seeder has proven so popular that the government has had 10 applicants for each of its 500 machines, according to SAPM Aslam. He said authorities are using a lottery system to decide who gets the subsidised equipment.
The government has plans to expand the Happy Seeder programme next year and cover the whole of the Punjab rice belt by 2023, Aslam noted. In the meantime, he added, it is already working on a technology upgrade.
“The agriculture extension department has developed a prototype to combine the two shredder [and] seeder machines into one 'Pak Seeder', which will be even more effective and efficient” — plus 30pc cheaper, he said.
Simply wao
ghazi52
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Govt to form Potato Development Council
PM aide assures farmers of long-term policy under forthcoming STPF
APP
December 15, 2020
ISLAMABAD: The government is committed to expediting the establishment of Potato Development Council under the forthcoming Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF), revealed Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood.
“The council will formulate a long-term vision and policy for this sector,” the adviser announced on his official Twitter account.
During a consultative session with farmers and exporters of potatoes at the Ministry of Commerce, he said, “We discussed problems facing exports of potatoes and also negotiated the way forward.”
Dawood stated, “I would soon visit potato growing areas to meet farmers and also see storage facilities.”
Speaking at another session, the adviser said, “We discussed the problems being faced by exports of mango and discussed the way forward.”
The PM aide said the government was exploring ideas for establishing cold storage facilities on airports and shipping ports. The ministry also agreed to establish Mango Development Council under the STPF. He added, “I had a meeting with fan manufacturers and discussed ways to improve competitiveness of the fan industry.”
They agreed that acquiring the requisite certifications was necessary to enter high-end markets.
“I requested fan manufacturers to recommend professional experts for the Fan Export Council, which is also being considered in the forthcoming STPF.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2020.
PM aide assures farmers of long-term policy under forthcoming STPF
APP
December 15, 2020
ISLAMABAD: The government is committed to expediting the establishment of Potato Development Council under the forthcoming Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF), revealed Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood.
“The council will formulate a long-term vision and policy for this sector,” the adviser announced on his official Twitter account.
During a consultative session with farmers and exporters of potatoes at the Ministry of Commerce, he said, “We discussed problems facing exports of potatoes and also negotiated the way forward.”
Dawood stated, “I would soon visit potato growing areas to meet farmers and also see storage facilities.”
Speaking at another session, the adviser said, “We discussed the problems being faced by exports of mango and discussed the way forward.”
The PM aide said the government was exploring ideas for establishing cold storage facilities on airports and shipping ports. The ministry also agreed to establish Mango Development Council under the STPF. He added, “I had a meeting with fan manufacturers and discussed ways to improve competitiveness of the fan industry.”
They agreed that acquiring the requisite certifications was necessary to enter high-end markets.
“I requested fan manufacturers to recommend professional experts for the Fan Export Council, which is also being considered in the forthcoming STPF.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2020.
ghazi52
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Study finds ‘tremendous growth’ in mangroves
Forest cover has increased by 986.36 square kms over the past 30 years, as per the study
The mangrove cover on Sindh's coastal belt, more precisely in the Indus delta, has increased by 986.36 square kilometres (km) during the past 30 years, growing by an average of 3.74 percent annually, a study has revealed.
Jointly conducted by the Institute of Space Technology, World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P) and Society for Environment and Mangrove Protection Welfare Association, the study reviews the growth of mangroves from 1990 to 2020 in five geographical pockets, classified as the Indus delta, Sandspit, Sonmiani Khor, Kalmat Khor and Jiwani.
Over the years, multiple studies have shown mangrove forests around the world are disappearing, the erasure being recorded at two per cent annually on average.
Forest cover has increased by 986.36 square kms over the past 30 years, as per the study
The mangrove cover on Sindh's coastal belt, more precisely in the Indus delta, has increased by 986.36 square kilometres (km) during the past 30 years, growing by an average of 3.74 percent annually, a study has revealed.
Jointly conducted by the Institute of Space Technology, World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P) and Society for Environment and Mangrove Protection Welfare Association, the study reviews the growth of mangroves from 1990 to 2020 in five geographical pockets, classified as the Indus delta, Sandspit, Sonmiani Khor, Kalmat Khor and Jiwani.
Over the years, multiple studies have shown mangrove forests around the world are disappearing, the erasure being recorded at two per cent annually on average.
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