Pakistan Agriculture Developments

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Genome Editing at UAF

Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Hussain Jahania Gardezi inaugurated ‘Center for Genome Editing for Nutrition and Health’ at University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) here on Friday.

The centre was set up with the total funding of Rs 1,799 million out of which Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research provided Rs 1,298.63 million and UAF Rs 500.960 million.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the government had allocated Rs31.49 billion for agriculture under the development budget for financial year 2021-22 with 100 percent increase from the last year in order to uplift the sector, ensure food security and alleviate poverty.

Jahania Gardezi said that at the inception of Pakistan, the country’s population was 35 million which had reached 220 million. He lauded the agricultural scientists to ensure food security who worked day and night to come up with new varieties and technology to boost up the agricultural per acre productivity. He said that we have to adopt modern technology to address the agricultural problems to ensure food security. He said that compatibility in the technology at par with the modern world was essential to fight different challenges. He said that the government was determined to address the problems of the population which belongs to rural areas. He said that Pakistan was counted in the top 10 countries of agricultural production.

Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Hussain Jahania Gardezi said that the government was ensuring pro agriculture policies. He said that amid the challenges of climate change, the government was actively working on Green and Clean Pakistan.

UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan lauded the measures being taken on the part of the government to uplift the sector which is the backbone of our economy. He said that the UAF had developed 14 agrological zones of the province that will provide tangible results. He also said that the UAF was determined to emerge as one of leading institutions in the Prime Minister Clean and Green Pakistan campaign and every employee and the student should plant at least five samplings in their surroundings to curb the gigantic climate changes which were playing havoc with the lives, agriculture and development of the country. He said that immediate steps should be taken to fight the devastating impact of climate change.

PCSIR Chairman Syed Hussain Abidi said that the government was paying special attention to promote the research culture and ensure betterment in the agriculture sector. He urged the agricultural scientists to work with dedication for the development of the agriculture sector.

MNS University of Agriculture Multan Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asif Ali called for creating awareness among the farming community about the latest trends. He said that with the improved learning ecology, we can bring change.

PMAS Arid Agriculture University Vice Chancellor Dr Qamaz uz Zaman said that we have to make collaborative efforts for combating the agricultural challenges. He said that they had been running a joint degree programme with Dalhousie University Canada and such a programme will help fight the challenges with knowledge exchange.

DG Ayub Research Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi said that all out efforts were being made for tangible research work and new verities.

Director Agriculture Extension Dr Abdul Hameed said that 38000 had been registered for Kissan cards. Later, the minister also inaugurated the Precision Agriculture Lab and distributed 25 laptops among the special students of the university. He also distributed 44 Kissan cards among the farming community and kicked off plantation campaign under the Prime Minister Green and Clean Pakistan drive.

 

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Salt-tolerant plants to add fertility to Pakistan’s salt-affected soils

10 Aug 2021,

Salt-tolerant plants to add fertility to Pakistan's salt-affected soils


BEIJING, Aug 10 (APP):To better combat salinity, Pakistan and China have been cooperating with each other in reclaiming salt-affected soils and developing new varieties of quality salt-tolerant plants in Pakistan.

“In Pakistan, about 14% of irrigated lands have deteriorated with salinity, while 64% yield losses are reported due to salinity,” revealed Dr Zhang Huaxin, Research Fellow and Director of the Research Centre of Saline and Alkali Land of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China.

He said, “In Pakistan, the average level of salinity increases by an estimated one ton per hectare each year in irrigated areas and can rise to as high as three to five tons in extreme cases.”

Such prevalent salinity is largely driven by high temperatures and scare water resources and this calls for urgent actions against deteriorating salinity.

There are broad prospects for China and Pakistan to collaborate on determining the types of saline/ sodic soils and germplasm resources of salt-tolerant plants in Pakistan, and developing new varieties of quality salt-tolerant plants in Pakistan, Dr Zhang told CEN.

On the sustainability of biological solutions for Pakistan, Dr Muhammad Saqib, Associate Professor of the Institute of Soil and Environmental Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad said, a triad of scientific measures have been adopted worldwide to contain sprawling salinity in soils, namely the engineering approach, the reclamation approach, and the biological approach.

In the engineering approach, a lot of systems are installed which involves a huge amount of work and expenditure and is not sustainable, noted Dr. Saqib. Likewise, the reclamation method, which requires a strict combination of clean water and amendments, is not suitable for Pakistan as the country is grappling with rising temperatures and salinity.

The third is the biological approach, in which salt-tolerant plants and trees grow in salt-affected soils and absorb a certain amount of salt in the soils. “We have been struggling with salinity for decades, and the biological approach is the only solution in Pakistan. It is sustainable because trees and plants are important with respect to the environment and the water cycle,” noted Dr Saqib.

To better combat salinity, Pakistan and China have been cooperating with each other in reclaiming salt-affected soils, said Dr Saqib. In May, the Chinese Academy of Forestry and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to deepen China-Pak cooperation in the remediation of saline/ sodic soils through exchange activities, joint academic conferences, and joint academic projects.

“China has a wide variety of salt-tolerant plants and some of them can be introduced to Pakistan to deal with salinity, such as the plants in the southern part of China’s southern autonomous region of Xinjiang,” said Dr Saqib, who made field investigations in several demonstration zones in China’s eastern Shangdong province and discussed with Chinese experts about the collection, preservation and optimization of salt-tolerant plant resources during his visit to China in 2019.

With such cooperation in place, saline/ sodic soils are likely to regain their fertility in Pakistan.

According to Dr Saqib, “We know China has been developing salt-tolerant rice varieties that can maintain a high output in salt-affected lands. Such rice varieties can also be introduced to Pakistan on an experimental basis and rolled out to more farmers with adequate research and demonstration.

 

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Credit disbursement to agri sector increases 12%

Amounts to Rs1.37tr in FY21 despite Covid-19, climate change challenges


Our Correspondent
August 10, 2021

PHOTO: AGENCIES
KARACHI: Credit disbursement to the agriculture sector increased 12% on a year-on-year basis to Rs1.37 trillion in FY21 despite the ongoing challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change.

In a statement on Monday, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said that the disbursement was the collective effort of 49 financial institutions, which managed to achieve 91% of the assigned credit target of Rs1.5 trillion for the year. The outstanding agricultural credit stood at Rs628 billion at the end of June 2021, showing a growth of over 8% compared to June 2020.

“This complements the overall positive outlook of the agriculture sector, which grew 2.77% during FY21,” it said. “However, the number of agricultural credit borrowers declined 5% as they fell from 3.7 million in FY20 to 3.5 million in FY21 primarily due to a limited outreach owing to the ongoing pandemic.”

During FY21, the commercial banks, specialised banks and Islamic banks showed a satisfactory performance by disbursing Rs1.21 trillion against their target of Rs1.28 trillion, achieving 95% of the assigned target.

However, the microfinance banks as a group achieved 73% of their goal by disbursing agricultural loans of Rs132 billion to small farmers, it said.

Likewise, the microfinance institutions and rural support programmes jointly achieved 57% of their target by approving loans of Rs23 billion for the small and marginalised farmers.

“Together with the government and private sector, the SBP made concerted efforts for the development and commercialisation of the agriculture sector through the provision of formal financial services,” the central bank said.

“Furthermore, the proactive response by the SBP to combat the threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic bolstered the economy and resulted in a rather quick rebound in economic activities across all major sectors including agriculture.”

Besides reducing the policy rate by 625 basis points, the SBP also allowed banks to offer principal loan deferment and restructuring of agricultural loans to help combat economic disruptions. Around two million borrowers in the agriculture and microfinance sectors availed the deferred principal loan and restructured loan option as of April 2021.


Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2021.

 

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Govt pursuing vision to double farmers’ income to check poverty: PM

11 Aug 2021


BAHAWAPUR, Aug 11 (APP): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday describing farmers as an “asset” for the country said the present government was following a vision to double their income to achieve higher economic growth, ensure food security and check poverty and inflation.

“We have a vision to double the income of farmers. They will invest their income in agriculture, which will benefit Pakistan and help reduce poverty, decrease prices of food items and check price-hike,” Imran Khan said while addressing Kissan Convention here.

The Prime Minister mentioned with pride that owing to the government’s policy enhancing support prices of various agricultural crops including wheat, sugarcame and maize, the growers secured Rs 1100 billions of additional income during the previous fiscal years.

He further said that with the initial two years spent on economic stabilization due to various inherited challenges on the economic front, his government had finally put the country on the path of economy recovery and achieved around 4% GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth during the fiscal year 2020-21.

The Prime Minister also launched the provincial government’s Kissan Card scheme during the Convention, which was also addressed by Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar and Special Assistant to PM for National Food Security Jamshed Iqbal Cheema.

Imran Khan said that as farmers were the country’s precious asset, today’s Kissan Convention will send a clear message that the country will move forward by helping the farmers.

He said that with a mere 26000 growers having the agricultural lands of over 125 acres each, the country had around 8.4 million of hardworking small farmers, who were the core of this country as well as the agriculture sector.

The Prime Minister noted with pleasure that contrary to the past, when sugarcane growers had to sell their produce at lower rates due to exploitation by the powerful sugar millers, the growers this year got higher prices and earned extra profits due to the passage of a law which bounded the sugar millers to start crushing of the produce at particular dates.

He said that due to the record production of wheat, sugar rice and maize this year, the growers earned Rs. 1100 billions of extra income.

The Prime Minister said that the unprecedented higher sales of motorcycle in the rural areas also depicted increase in the income of farmers.

He, however, added that growth in the country’s agricultural produce did not match with population growth which went up from 40 million (West Pakistan) in 1947 to 225 million at present.

He said that despite a bumper wheat crop, the country had to import 4 million tons of wheat to cater to the needs of people.

The Prime Minister stressed on the need of enhanced research and development in agriculture to achieve higher production of various crops.

He said that Pakistan which had been bestowed by Allah Almighty with 12 climatic zones had a lot of potential in agriculture sector and could grow all agricultural commodities by using advanced technology and adopting modern techniques not only for local consumption but for exports as well.

 

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A Million Ton Of Fruit Produced By Balochistan

Balochistan is also known as Pakistan’s Fruit Basket, owing to its abundance of resources.
Grapes, cherries, and almonds account for 90% of national production in the province.

Balochistan exports about
60% of peaches, pomegranates, apricots,
around 34% of apples,
and 70% of dates.

Fruit plantations span a total of 149,726 hectares, with an annual yield of about 889,490 tonnes. Balochistan exports hundreds of tonnes of apples each year, with the province producing over 80% of the high-quality apples.

Balochistan’s fruit production is reliant on groundwater. The province is also noted for its grape production, which includes a variety of types. Grapes are primarily grown in #Quetta, #Pishin, #Kalat, #Zhob, #Loralai, and others.

Experts believe that Balochistan’s enormous yield potential might be maximised by building crop-specific zones and fruit processing plants. Experts suggest that the province should be separated into zones to produce high-quality fruit. Balochistan’s fruit farming industry has grown dramatically in recent years

 

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Promoting savings among farmers

Mohiuddin Aazim
August 16, 2021

Most of the small farmers particularly need to increase savings as their access to bank credit remains limited. — APP


Promoting savings among farmers is much needed but equally difficult. Most of the small farmers particularly need to increase savings as their access to bank credit remains limited. But promoting savings among them is not easy. The non-availability of tailor-made saving products, low financial literacy and their age-old habits of over-spending on socio-religious occasions make it difficult.

The government has a role to play here. It can roll out saving schemes and saving certificates designed exclusively for farmers. This will not just help the farming community but will also help the government increase its non-bank borrowing and reduce reliance on borrowing from banks.

In the outgoing fiscal year, which ended in June, microfinance banks or MFBs met 73 per cent of the credit disbursement target assigned to them. While disclosing this fact in a recent press release, the State Bank of Pakistan further informed that microfinance institutions (MFIs) and rural support programmes (RSPs) met only 57 of their cumulative credit target.

Most of our small farmers rely on these banks, institutions and programmes. Lower-than targeted credit distribution by them indicate the financial deprivation of our small farmers. Small wonder then that the total number of agricultural borrowers fell to 3.5 million in the last fiscal year from 3.7m a year ago.

(Conventional and Islamic commercial banks performed better in 2020-21 — they met 95pc of their collective credit target. But these banks generally avoid lending to small farmers and remain focused on large and medium-sized agricultural borrowers).

Investment in agri-bonds can be allowed to overseas Pakistanis as well with some conditions aimed at protecting the interest of small farmers

Availability of suitable saving products for farmers, particularly small farmers can be helpful in such situations when agricultural credit disbursement by banks and other relevant institutions fall short of expectations. Over the years, small farmers will become financially more literate and will be able to self-finance their farming activities and minimise reliance on bank borrowings. A joint study carried out by scholars of three universities of Poland found that in 2017, “more than 97pc of small individual farms in Poland were able to self-finance and generate savings from their core business.”

A beginning made now can enable Pakistan’s small individual farms to become self-financed and able to generate savings in due course of time.

According to the latest statistics published by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, about 7.4m farms (7,398,100 to be exact) can be categorised as small farms. This figure includes all small farms — of less than 0.5 hectares to 5 hectares or a little over 1 acre to a little less than 12.5 acres. This is a huge number. All these 7.4m farms are not owned by small farmers because many of them are actually owned by big landlords and leased out to small farmers.

Regardless of this, whatever the actual number of the owners of these 7.4m farms that number should be in millions. Rolling out exclusive saving schemes and saving certificates for such farmers can empower them financially and can also create a gender balance as a large number of these small farms are owned fully or partly by women — and a larger number is managed by women.

Pakistan’s experience in fostering financial inclusion among farmers via cheaper and easier bank credit has gained limited success. Isn’t it time to think about achieving this goal by launching exclusive saving products for small farmers?

Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin is primarily a banker well aware of the bonds market. Designing one-year to five-year government farming bonds with built-in features to attract small farmers is no big deal for him. The SBP Governor Dr Reza Baqir has been working hard to promote financial inclusion. He can easily persuade banks to come up with exclusive saving schemes for the farming community, in general, and for small farmers, in particular.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development of India had first developed agri-bonds in 2016 and has relaunched the same — more aggressively — in July this year. Indian financial think tanks are also working on what they call Agriculture Resilience Bonds. And, an exclusive saving certificate for farmers gained so much success in India in recent years that the Indian government has now allowed general investors to buy them.

All this can happen in Pakistan as well. But the federal and provincial governments must learn to work in harmony before embarking upon a long journey of empowering small farmers with emphasis on female farmers.

The 18th constitutional amendment that gives provinces control over agriculture still remains controversial. Either the amendment should be remodelled or it should be left untouched. A persisting confusion about its future only makes matter worse when it comes to long-term planning for agriculture. Secondly, while designing agri-bonds the Central Directorate of National Savings should work closely with all stakeholders for the early development of a resilient market for them.

Except for five-year Regular Income Certificates, all saving products of National Saving Schemes (NSS) showed a net outflow of investment in eleven months of 2020-21. These schemes are losing their charm due to low rates of returns and due to the ongoing documentation drive. That is why, between July 2020 and May 2021, overall investment in NSS showed a net outflow of Rs193bn against a net inflow of Rs371bn in 2019-20.

Redesigning of NSS has become necessary. Policymakers can use this opportunity for launching the much-needed agri-bonds.

The success of Roshan Digital Accounts for overseas Pakistanis has established that innovative ideas work wonders. Investment in agri-bonds can be allowed to overseas Pakistanis as well with some conditions aimed at protecting the interest of small farmers. For example, the Pakistani diaspora may be allowed to invest only in long-term agri-bonds the proceeds of which can be used for long-term agricultural development. And, all short-term agricultural saving schemes and saving certificates can be made exclusive for farmers, especially small farmers.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, August 16th, 2021

 

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A farmer busy in preparing his field for the next crop , August 2021

 

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Govt determined to increase agri output:

NNI
22 Aug 2021

FAISALABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Food Security and Agriculture Jamshed Iqbal Cheema has said that the government has launched a restructuring plan for government organisations and institutions in order to further improve their performance.

Addressing a press conference at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) during his visit to Faisalabad on Saturday, he rejected rumours about privatisation of the institutes and said that the government had no intention to render highly-educated researchers and scientists jobless. However, their salaries are linked with performance system.

"The best performers will get more incentives under this system," he said, adding that the research fund was also being regulated so that the researchers could get necessary funding easily without running from pillar to post.

He said the government was trying its best to enhance agriculture yield by strengthening linkages between government, researchers and farmers. He said that the scientists and researchers must mould themselves in accordance with the new system so that Pakistan could regain its repute as an agricultural country.

He said the government might hire the services of near retirement scientists and agriculture experts on the basis of their performance.

He urged scientists to play their productive role and develop new technologies and products to strengthen the national economy.

He said that commercialisation of their innovations could bring repute along with financial benefits for the researchers and agriculture scientists. He said the government strictly believes in merit and best salary packages would be offered to the "right person for right job". The promotion, facilities and perks would also be linked with the performance, he said.

He said he was visiting Faisalabad along with Dr Ishrat Husain, adviser to prime minister on institutional reforms and austerity, to have detailed discussions and seek recommendations from the officials of AARI, NIAB (National Institute for Agriculture & Biology), PARS (Postgraduate Agriculture Research Station), NIEBGE (National Institute for Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering) and other departments regarding the transformation.

He said the media should also focus on positively instead of presenting negative view of the government policies.

He said that as a result of institutional reforms, the performance and income of the growers have increased substantially.

He said that an average increase of 90% was recorded in the prices of food and energy while prices of wheat and rice witnessed 34% increase, maize 51%, edible oil 60-70%, poultry 54%, beef 10% fertilizers 34-154%, Urea 95%, PSD 120% and DPA price 122% increase.
With food security at stake, PM tells farmers govt determined to boost agri output
He said that corona responsible of inflation and price-hike and said that Pakistan was the 3rd country after Hong Kong and New Zealand which effectively controlled the pandemic. He said that during corona only 5 countries recorded growth including China, Vietnam, Egypt and Pakistan. He said that economy of 188 countries went into negative from -3 to -28.
He said that the government, under the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, intended to develop food processing industry as 2nd largest sector after textile.
He said that most of the commodities commonly imported would be available in Pakistan in abundance within a next couple of years as the government was focusing on enhancing its domestic production.
He said that we have carved out a policy to enhance production of fruits and vegetables up to 30% and wheat up to 80%.
He said that government intends to make Pakistan a net food exporting country and in order to ensure food security; the government has allocated Rs 62 billion for agriculture sector and this amount would be increased next year. He said the previous government had allocated Rs 1.6 billion for this purpose, he said.
He further said that steps are also being taken for speedy growth of livestock sector and in this connection; best breeds of animals and birds are being promoted. He said that the government had allocated Rs10 billion for research work on improvement of breeds. Earlier, SAPM Jamshed Iqbal Cheema also visited NIEBGE and discussed various issues with the scientists and officials.

 

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GB govt decides to convert 50,000 barren area into cultivable fields

https://nation.com.pk/NewsSource/web-desk
Web Desk
August 23, 2021

Under the initiative of bringing economic transformation in the province, the Gilgit Baltistan (GB)government has decided to convert a barren area of 50,000 acre into cultivable fields.
According to details, a budget of over Rs12 billion will be spent on this seven years long comprehensive agriculture development project.

With an amount of Rs5.35 billion, besides construction of 384 kilometres farm to Market roads while 2. 28 billion rupees have been earmarked for it in the current fiscal year, a total number of 46 irrigation based schemes out of 74 have been completed.

It is pertinent to state here that under the cultivation initiative, 41,840 acre of barren land has been made fertile across GB province.

 

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Sesame/Til grows in about 70 countries in the world. In Pakistan, it grows in about 65 districts.
Here are photos taken in Dist Mirpurkhas of Sindh.

Sesame is known as an oilseed crop

 

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Govt to introduce cotton cluster villages to modernize cotton farming:

Mon, 23 Aug 2021, 3:58 PM


MULTAN, Aug 23 (APP): Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam Monday said that Cotton Cluster Villages would be introduced to promote the crop by ensuring modern technology in near future.

Cotton is a highly profit-generating crop as it strengthens the country’s economy and also offers job opportunities to millions of people in the country.

Fakhar Imam expressed these remarks while holding a press conference at Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), here.

He informed that one million bales helped to generate Rs 97.5 billion. The government has set a target of 10 million bales during the ongoing season, he added.

He remarked that cotton cluster villages comprised of two to four union councils would be introduced in different areas. Modernize farming techniques would be introduced in these cluster villages with an objective to motivate other farmers.

Besides this, the government was paying immense focus on white gold (cotton) and hopefully cotton would be a strategic crop in the future, he stated. Pakistan used to export textile products worth over 15 billion dollars annually.

Last year, the country has to import 4.5 million bales for local industry.

Fakhar remarked that the government was striving hard to enhance cotton production. Special focus is being given on seed quality, enhancing sowing area, mechanization, and up-gradation of research institutes said Fakhar.

About the current prices of cotton, minister observed that the government had introduced an intervention price of Rs 5000/40kg in order to facilitate the farmers.

He, however, added that the prices of cotton were also high in the international market. Fakhar suggested farmers ensure clean picking of cotton so that they could find handsome prices against their produce.

To a question about factors for the decline in cotton, he stated that climate change and pest attacks were the main causes for the decline in cotton, adding that the present condition of the crop was satisfactory.

Fakhar Imam said that government would also promote quality seed having immense resistance against climate changes and pest attacks.

The minister also hinted that ginners would be convinced to modernize their ginning units as per international standards.

To another question about wheat, Syed Fakhar Imam said that country received historic production of 27.5 million tonnes which was a record. However, the government was importing wheat to maintain wheat stock in abundance.


About scientists’ issues at CCRI, he promised to resolve their issues.

Govt to introduce cotton cluster villages to modernize cotton farming: Fakhar Imam

Syed Fakhar Imam said that Cotton Cluster Villages would be introduced to promote the crop by ensuring modern technology in near future

www.app.com.pk

 

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Crops at risk as dams not full enough

Ahmad Fraz Khan
August 24, 2021

In this file photo, a farmer in Multan sprays pesticide in a field. — APP/File


LAHORE: With rains dropping much below the average in the last seven weeks, irrigation demands rising and temperatures dipping in the catchment areas, the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) fears that both dams may not be filled this year, leaving Rabi crops facing huge risks.

According to the Meteorological Department data, it rained 58 per cent less than the average in the first three weeks of August. If the average of the last seven weeks (July 1 to Aug 23) is taken as a benchmark, the country suffered 22pc rain deficit.

During these seven weeks, Sindh suffered the most, with 65pc less rains, Gilgit-Baltistan 34pc, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 28pc and Punjab 25pc. This water shortage naturally shifted stress on the reservoirs, which are now facing the risk of staying unfilled.

“If Tarbela Dam goes unfilled, which is now a clear probability, it will be happening for the third time in the dam’s 44-year history,” concedes Irsa spokesman Khalid Idrees Rana.

The authority is facing a dire situation: it resigned itself to the fact that Mangla would go unfilled this season, but the Tarbela Lake faces the same danger – spelling a disastrous scenario.

“The water stress is already reflected in the national distribution: Irsa has already fallen back on the Actual Average System used from 1977-82, termed 14-B in the Water Accord. It is faced with a double jeopardy: exceptional drop in rains has increased demand and drop in temperatures in catchment areas squeezed sullies. On an average, Pakistan gets 83 million acre feet water between April 1 and Aug 20. This year, it got only 72MAF.”

Along with this shortfall of 11MAF came scarcity of rain, he explains, fearing for the Rabi season: “Against the total storage capacity of 13.50MAF, the reservoirs now hold only 9.9MAF and depletion has already started. Tarbela Lake touched the 1,545 feet level a few days ago, and it stands at 1,543 feet today. Mangla Lake is 38 feet below what it was last year on the same day, and keep in mind that it’s the top 38 feet where the major portion is held.”

Punjab thinks that it is still not in any stress as far as crops are concerned, largely due to the rain pattern. “It rained healthy in upper parts of the province where rice is planted – by and large, fulfilling its needs. It rained very less, which also increased average losses, in the south where cotton dominates, where more showers could have only turned the weather humid — conducive to pest attack — and damaged crop. Hence, so far, so good,” says an official of the agriculture department.
“The increasing water stress has already sown provincial discontent, with Sindh d
emanding distribution under Para-2, which means further depletion of dams by anything between three and four million acre feet,” explains an official of the Punjab irrigation department.

In practical terms, it means the reservoirs will be brought down from the current 9.9MAF to anywhere between five and six million acre feet, grossly compromising the next Rabi – read food security, as wheat dominates the season.

Now the choice before the provincial irrigation officials is stark, and terrible: “Whether to save five months’ investment and labour on Kharif crops or preserve some water for Rabi. It is a tightrope walk, which all of us have to walk now. Unless there are some good rains in September, the country is in for trouble.”

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2021

 

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Digital farming under CPEC to revolutionize Pakistan’s agriculture

August 23, 2021




BEIJING, Aug 22 (APP):China is willing to share its experience and help integrate information technology and agriculture to being about green revolution in Pakistan.

Facing the common challenge of climate change, pandemic, and population growth, a smarter agriculture is the way forward for many countries including China.

“The integration of information technology and agriculture will bring about the third green revolution: agricultural digital revolution,” said Zhao Chunjiang from China’s National Engineering Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture. “By 2025, China’s digital agro economy will exceed a USD 100 billion”.

In the past, farmers laboured for hours in the fields. But now farm work can be done with internet systems, said a staff member of the exhibitor, Ningxia Green Pioneer (Lvxianfeng) Agricultural Mechanical Services Company, which has transformed local farming model with drones, precision hole-sowing machine, driverless harvesters and plant protecting devices, remote surveillance equipment, etc. supported by the Internet of Things, cloud technology, big data, etc.

“Spraying at a speed of 4.5 meters a second, each drone can complete what was used to be done by 25-30 workers per day, saving 80% water, 30% cost of plant protection, and 20%-25% pesticides,” company staff introduced to China Economic Net (CEN). “They can be used in rice, wheat, and maize. Take rice as an example, about USD 60 can be saved for each hectare.”

To better take the advantage of the efficient digital equipment that excels on vast stretches of land, the company takes a step further to push forward scale operation by bring the scattered lands together through land trusteeship, transfer, and shareholding.

A remote monitoring command service center has been set up for visible, standard, and digital farming. Soil, seedlings, pests, diseases, and disasters are monitored, early warnings are sent in case of abnormalities, and automatic solutions can be identified. From sowing, cultivating, to harvesting, the crops grow under close and accurate supervision.

“Under this whole-process land trusteeship, USD 230 can be saved per hectare”, revealed the company staff.

“Not all farmers trust in this new model at the beginning, but after getting to know and see what it can achieve, they started to acknowledge its benefits.”

If there is a chance, we are willing to join the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC, company staff said.

 

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All set to exempt Chinese agri drones from taxes

Mushtaq Ghumman
25 Aug 2021

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet which is scheduled to meet on Wednesday (today) will grant exemption of all taxes on drones gifted by China for agriculture sector, and supply of flour and rice to Syria as humanitarian assistance.

In this regard, Ministry of National Food Security and Research in a summary has stated that during a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador, Minister for National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R) requested the Chinese side for provision of drones for controlling desert locusts in Pakistan.

Consequently, after mutual consultation, a formal request was made through Ministry of Economic Affairs to China for provision of drones. Thereafter, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) China donated twelve drones to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), which were handed over to the Pakistani Mission at Beijing.

The drones which were to be transported by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) remained parked in a warehouse in China and could not be transported to Pakistan due to the Covid pandemic restrictions worldwide and other reasons. MNFS&R with the assistance of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Pakistan has now made all the arrangements for transportation of these drones by ship. The requisite cost has already been approved and a sanction letter issued for transfer of these funds to MOFA.

At present, there are various taxes/duties/levies/port charges such as Federal Excise duty, sales tax, withholding tax, import duties, etc., applicable on the import of drones. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was consulted on the issue and it opined that the FBR allows tariff exemptions upon the recommendation of the Federal Government. In addition, Government of Sindh was also consulted and they have informed that the import of drones is not liable to Sindh Sales Tax under the Sindh Act of 2011

MNFS&R has proposed that all applicable taxes/duties on the import of drones, donated by the People's Republic of China to Pakistan, may be waived off. Moreover, according to the summary of NDMA, Prime Minister of Syria who appreciated Pakistani Government's humanitarian assistance to Syria provided in November, 2020 to fight against Covid-19 pandemic has requested for further support to the Syrian people in the form of edible items like wheat, rice and life-saving drugs because the Syrian people are badly affected by the Caesar Act 2019 applied by the US on Syria.

Pakistan's Ambassador in Syria has noted that Syria is expected to revert to normalcy soon. Further, Syria has always supported Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.

The summary says that option of sending edible items (wheat and rice) to Syria is not considered feasible due to non-availability of sea freight to Syria and huge cost involved for transportation of heavy donation consignment by air. Ministry of Foreign Affairs; therefore, analyzed the option of procuring wheat and rice from the Syrian market or from its neighbouring countries.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021

 

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Dr Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed Monday extended cooperation to provincial governments by offering to issue system generated notices to taxpayers who declare Agricultural Income in federal Income Tax Returns, to duly discharge their tax liabilities with the provinces.

In line with the Government's resolve towards broadening of tax base and documentation of economy, Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, Chairman FBR has initiated a huge challenge to plug in tax evasion of Agricultural Income through a close cooperation between FBR and Provincial tax authorities to ensure that no taxable income goes untaxed and due taxes are paid in respective collecting jurisdiction. Accordingly, Chairman FBR has issued a letter to all provincial governments for a proactive collaboration. He has offered to coordinate a technical level meeting to address the issues relating to taxable agricultural income and curb tax evasion in national interest.

FBR Chairman has proposed technical collaboration between FBR and Provincial tax authorities on Agricultural Income which is taxed by provinces and is exempt from federal Income Tax. Chairman has also highlighted that tax evaders claim Agricultural Income as exempt in FBR returns and do not pay tax to either FBR or Provincial Governments. Income Tax ordinance prescribes that Agricultural Income will be exempt only if Provincial Income Tax is paid on it.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021