Pakistan Agriculture Developments

[ghazi52]

Govt supports production of pine nut, dry fruits in South Waziristan:

Wed, 6 Oct 2021,


PESHAWAR, Oct 06 (APP):Minister of State for Environment Zartaj Gul Wednesday said that South Waziristan is one of the biggest markets of pine nuts and other dry-fruits in Asia and the government was providing all facilities to improve the production of dry fruits.

Addressing a meeting organized by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of United Nations in district DI Khan, she said that the government was supporting the local farmers in provision of high quality seeds to improve the production of dry fruits especially pine nuts.

She said the initiative would give a boost to the economy as well as the local people in creating employment and business opportunities.

Zartaj Gul said the government policies to mitigate the effects of global warming were largely acknowledged by the world community and extra measures are being taken in this regard.

She said that the Billion Tree Tsunami was a revolutionary project of the government to reduce the environmental pollution and climate change effects, adding that as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan the government is taking pragmatic steps to make Pakistan a true welfare state.

Later she distributed 250 gas stoves as part of measures to reduce dependency on use of wood for burning purposes.

 

[ghazi52]

Shandong Rainbow Agricultural Technology will introduce peanut seed into Pakistan set up a peanut oil research laboratory under CPEC to boost #oil supply in Pakistan.

 

[ghazi52]

Serving farmer community a ‘service to Pakistan’: PM


The Frontier Post

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said his vision for the promotion of the agriculture sector was focused on bringing improvement in the life of small farmers and resolving their grievances on priority.
Addressing the launch of Kisaan Portal, at the Pakistan Citizen Portal, he assured the farmers that the government would stand by them, as he believed that “serving the farming community was in fact a service to Pakistan”.

Imran Khan said his government was focusing on agricultural research particularly seed development to increase the yield of crops.

Also, he said, the yield of the dairy sector in the developed world was six times higher than in Pakistan and emphasized development to boost production in
this sector.

He stressed the importance of water conservation to ensure ample supply to farmers for irrigation purposes. The construction of 10 big dams, he said, was an unprecedented step taken by his government.
He said work on several projects was underway and aimed at addressing the water needs of the country, the common man and the farmers, he added.

The prime minister said the world over, the agriculture sector had an insurance cover. He said the Kisaan card would enable the small farmers t get financial support in case their yield was damaged from natural calamities.

He said the pressure on the Pakistani rupee was temporary and would be over soon.

He said the price of palm oil had become almost doubled in the international market and had a negative impact on the rates in Pakistan.

Similarly, he said, Pakistan had to import wheat, sugar and pulses.

The prime minister said with the government’s efforts, the country would witness a revolution in the production of soya bean, olive oil and avocado.

He said training programmes for farmers were on the cards with the assistance of China to guide them on better farming techniques.

Imran Khan said Pakistan was blessed with natural resources, which if properly utilized through scientific means, could result in a boom in the agriculture sector.

PM’s Special Assistant Jamshed Iqbal Cheema said under the government’s initiative, the farmers would get subsidies on seeds, fertilizers and the purchase of agricultural machinery.

He said the government was focusing on rural development with the uplift of farmers and giving them better support prices for their produce.

He said the budget for the agriculture sector had been doubled at federal and provincial levels.

He mentioned that never in the history of Pakistan, a government extended such facilities to farmers.

Prior to the launch of the Kisaan Portal, there was no specific category to register the grievances of farmers at the Pakistan Citizen Portal.

The step will help the farmers with their problems resolved on a priority basis, the PM Office said.

A total of 123 dashboards have been set up at the federal and provincial levels under the Kisaan Portal.

 

[ghazi52]

19 Oct 2021

EDITORIAL:

Nobody can deny that the present government has started taking agriculture very seriously. The 50 percent addition to the import bill because of the need to fetch wheat, sugar and canola oil from the international market, that too at the inopportune time when prices are flirting with highs not seen in quite a while, clearly seems to have shaken the federal cabinet.

So now, after giving agriculture centre-stage in the budget and rolling out the Kisan Card, we have the Kisan Portal which will enable the poorest of the lot to deliver their grievances directly to the "corridors of power", in the PM's own words.

This is no doubt very commendable. The PM also enlightened everybody, at the launch ceremony of the portal, how research shows that 90 percent of farmers are very small ones and hence "face the most difficulties". Nothing better, then, than to enable them to reach chief secretaries directly with their problems, with the PM's own promise hanging over the bureaucracy's head like a sword, so we can eliminate all the corruption, increase production, sanitise the import bill and put some lipstick on the current account, so to speak.

Still, since this is a rather elaborate scheme and the agri package does involve a lot of subsidies just when the IMF (International Monetary Fund) is red-flagging all such handouts, it raises a few important questions that haven't yet been answered. One, since most farmers are very small ones, they also dwell at the very bottom of the food chain. As such a lot of them are either cut off from modern communication technology, have neither the time nor the money for it, or in some cases don't even know of some of its fine points. Therefore, a lot of them would have to be schooled in using portals meant to take their plight to chief secretaries. So what, if anything, has the government planned to do about educating 90 percent of the farmer force?

Two, the need for this portal was felt because of the widespread practice of big farmers using state machinery to sideline small farmers and have fake cases registered against them, etc. But since the state machinery they use is the bureaucracy, of which chief secretaries are the shining stars, and if they (CS) had been doing what was required of them the need for such steps would never even have arisen, what differences will routing the same concerns through a portal really make when big farmers still have the same resources at their disposal? Or are we to expect another portal very soon that will keep check on how the civil service handles the complaints?
And three, doesn't the government already know pretty much all the problems faced by small farmers? And didn't the PM list almost all of them during his speech at the launch? Is the government really expecting to find something that had escaped its notice all these years? And does it expect such information to turn the entire sector around, increase production, reduce imports and balance the budget?

All this is in no way meant to imply that the portal is not a good idea. Yet when a sitting government decides to employ considerable time and resources to turn a specific sector around, especially when it doesn't have much of either, then it is expected to first plug the holes that are causing the biggest leakages.

Therefore, while the portal is a very fine idea, surely, things like this will work better when they are accompanied by state action that addresses problems that are already very well known to everybody. In simple words, rather than wait for the portal to raise the same concerns that have already been raised for decades, wouldn't it be better to initiate both steps at the same time; if not let necessary action precede the portal novelty?

Either way, the government is right to pin its hopes on agriculture. If its plans to revive this sector succeed, whether by stumbling onto the right approach or engineering it through meticulous planning, then it would have done farmers, consumers, the economy and the entire country a very big favour.


Copyright Business Recorder, 2021

 

[ghazi52]

Advisor Commerce said that wheat production was recorded at 27 million tons whereas consumption was 26 million tons. However, the government has decided to import 4 million tons of wheat as strategic reserves, adding there is no fear of shortage of wheat in the country.

He said, the government is also importing 50,000 tons of sugar to meet local demand, adding that there would be no need to import sugar after the crushing season starts

 

[ghazi52]

Grapes in Punjab,

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan exported a record 460,000 tons of kinnow during 2020-21, an increase of 30% as compared to 353,000 tons exported in the previous year, he said, adding that it exported kinnow to 40 countries during the export season that concluded in April 2021.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan’s Agricultural sector will be provided with technical and agricultural training from the Australian government.

It shared by Australian Trade Commissioner to Pakistan John Cavanaghon while he was talking to the Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam. The two countries through private sector coordination could accelerate the agro-economy of Pakistan.
John agreed to help in enhancing the agricultural research by providing quality human resources to research institutes of the country. The federal minister welcomed the trade commissioner and stressed that both countries should strengthen their relationship with regard to agro-economy, especially through the improvement of bilateral trade and transfer of agro-technology.

“Pakistan’s exports to Australia have shown little increase in recent years and if due attention is given to this area, the quantum of exports can jump. Trade between the two countries can achieve new heights if Pakistan enhances export of fruits, vegetables and rice to Australia.”
While citing figures he said that the volumetric export of mangoes to Australia had increased from 2 tons in 2013 to 75 tons in 2021, however, he noted that the number could increase manifold. “Export of citrus fruit rose from 350,000 tons to approximately 460,000 tons in just one year,” he said.

“Moreover, the export of mangoes surged from 110,000 tons to 142,000 tons in the same time period.” Pakistan has huge export potential for vegetables and fruits such as mangoes, citrus, apples, and cherries, he added.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan launches Digital Dera, in collaboration with Chinese tech-agro industries

November 22, 2021

Corn (taller plants) planted with chili peppers. Farmers can reduce erosion and increase profits by using this “intercropping” system. Photo provided by Bozhi Wu.

Taking inspiration from Chinese agro-based innovative technologies and techniques, a group of Pakistani agri-tech entrepreneurs have launched a project, Digital Dera in Punjab’s Pakpattan district. This project aims to empower farmers with cutting-edge agriculture solutions and help them create smart agricultural communities. The model aims to attract Chinese agro-based companies to offer digital solutions to Pakistani farmers by transferring technology of agriculture drones, geo-tagging, data collection through satellite imagery, electric tractors and human resource development.

China’s digital farming and smart agriculture practices are going to be a shot in the arm of Pakistan’s agriculture growth with inspiration from Chinese agro-based innovative technologies and techniques. A group of young Pakistani agri-tech entrepreneurs have pioneered a project “Digital Dera” in district Pakpattan, around 148 kilometres away from Lahore.

A tech-savvy project “Digital Dera” aims to empower farmers with cutting-edge agriculture solutions and assist them in the creation of smart communities. Talking to Gwadar Pro, founder of “Digital Dera” and co-founder of a Think Tank ‘Agriculture Republic’, Aamer Hayat Bhandara emphasised that data, information, advisory and technology are pre-requisites for maximising agricultural growth.

He believed that despite the ideal weather and fertile land, Pakistan is unable to achieve the standard yield due to the lack of modern agricultural techniques. He also urged the usage of sensors to assist farmers in making accurate decisions for their crops. He was of the view that because China is leading the world in technological innovation, therefore, he proposed that Chinese agro-based companies aligned with modern agriculture vision may digitally equip Pakistani farmers by transferring technology of agriculture drones, geo-tagging, data collection through satellite imagery, electric tractors and human resource development.

Talking about the impact and prospects of “Digital Dera”, he said that this model can easily be replicated anywhere in the country. He also looked forward to collaborating with China on capacity building and the transfer of digital technology in agriculture.

It is an encouraging development that footprints of China digital farming in Pakistan are getting visible. Farmland Digital Integrated Management System, which Shandong ARK IT Business implemented in east China’s Shandong Province, is now working on digital agriculture development in Pakistan. While supplying high-quality drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation equipment, the company also uses artificial intelligence technologies to help Pakistan’s small farmers and large-scale plantations save money and boost efficiency.

The Farmland Digital Integrated Management System’s machine vision and intelligence are primarily used for monitoring plant diseases and insect pests. To achieve agricultural production prediction, pest control, and other challenges, the system uses artificial intelligence technologies such as computer vision, picture recognition, and deep learning. Pakistani farmers can directly replicate the advanced Chinese agricultural technology in order to accomplish higher crop yields to ensure food security in the country.

It should be noted that, Pakistani food imports have risen by 54 per cent during the last fiscal year. In Pakistan, various factors have contributed to increased food imports, and one of them is low crop yield.

According to a study conducted by Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited in 2020, Pakistan is far behind other countries, as far as crop yield is concerned. This study emphasised the use of technology to improve crop yield.

Traditional farms are considerably less efficient and sustainable than digital farms, whereas digital farming entails the use of new technologies such as data science, digital communication channels, automation, and sensors. As a result, an increasing number of farmers have access to improved data, allowing them to make better decisions in order to increase output and reduce waste. By employing modern technology and digitizing the agriculture regime of the country through Chinese collaboration, Pakistan can address food security issues, save foreign exchange by lowering food imports and can also enhance the income of millions of farmers across the country.

 

[ghazi52]

Digital platform launched for farmers

The Newspaper's Staff Reporter
December 1, 2021

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that the fast-evolving developments in technology is impacting economies around the world and digital interventions are needed in the agriculture sector to enhance productivity.

He was speaking at a ceremony held here on Tuesday to launch Khushaal Watan platform designed to digitally help the rural community and farmers.

The platform has been designed by Telenor Pakistan to digitally help the rural community and farmers and empower the agriculture ecosystem in the country.

Mr Qureshi said that agriculture was the largest contributing sector to Pakistan’s exchequer while employing half of the country’s labour force.

“This sector has great potential that can be harnessed through digital interventions,” he added.

The Khushaal Watan platform was an intervention to ensure progressive and sustainable growth of the economy by enhancing productivity and contribution to the national exchequer.

It was highlighted that the agriculture sector contributes around 24 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Pakistan and accounts for half of the total labour force in the country.

The Khushaal Watan platform is equipped with features, such as live video calls with experts in and out of the field, ranging from livestock experts to medical and legal experts to help the rural community.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2021

 

[FuturePAF]

Before I read any of these articles on food production and export from Pakistan, I just want to know if enough a viable at affordable prices, that people are able to afford to sustain themselves and their families. The Prime minister started his term speaking about stunted growth and poor brain development of children. I’m not trying to derail the thread or say the increase in food productivity is not an achievement that shouldn’t be celebrated, it should. But, in the context of potential food shortage at home is it the best thing that food is being exported? There should be some king of meteoric maintained of food needs at home versus food production and compare it to how much is exported. Having said all this, I understand our farmed need to earn from the export market as well, to sustain themselves and their families as well.

In this way we can see how much we need to increase food productivity and give incentives to investors to increase productivity.

Human development is a lagging indicator. If we short change our population now, and we have stunted brain development, we will be paying for it for decades to come.

Considering we have good relations with Spain, I hope we partner with Spain to study how they do industrial level organic farming. If we can do that, grow enough cheap food for our people and export to the gulf and China, it’s a win win for all.

Redirect Notice

 

[EternalMortal]

Pakistan should look towards NZ & Netherlands for inspiration in reforming the agri sector. Long term goal should be to make farming be subsidy free. Basic takeaway is to increase productivity. To do this you need to invest in technological innovation, make value added products, have linkages b/w farmers & academia & adopt new farming techniques & mechanical equipment. Finally, it needs to be seen as a backbone sector of the country & treated as such.

Pakistan should establish links with both NZ & Netherlands. Hire consultants from NZ & Netherlands for short term. Long term, send over students & policy makers in order to learn from them & bring this experience home.

 

[EternalMortal]

Couple vids on NZ. Not too much detail on their agri policies & practices though.

Vids on Netherlands are more detailed

Innovative farming equipment

- YouTube

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www.youtube.com

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan’s first wheat-chickpea strip intercropping demonstration starts

https://nation.com.pk/NewsSource/inp
INP
December 01, 2021


Pakistan's first demonstration of wheat-chickpea strip intercropping technology recently started in Bahawalpur, with the sowing work just finished.

China Economic Net reported on Wednesday that this new intercropping system is expected to add chickpea production on the basis of ensuring the existing production of wheat in the same area of land.

According to Muhammad Ali Raza, Pakistani post-doc of Sichuan Agricultural University (SAU) who is dedicated to promoting Chinese intercropping technology in Pakistan, wheat-chickpea intercropping is expected to achieve the Land Equivalent Ratio up to 1.3.

Wheat-chickpea intercropping demonstration is the latest project under the Intercropping Research Center jointly established by Sichuan Agricultural University (SAU) and the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB), the first-ever national research center dedicated to intercropping within Pakistan inaugurated by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in this August.

Represented by the already widely applied maize-soybean strip intercropping, a Chinese technology from SAU which has taken root in Pakistan for three years yielding excellent results, high-yielding intercropping technologies are gaining much more attention from Pakistan, and wheat-chickpea strip intercropping technology is another promising new try in the country.

These intercropping systems will increase our soil fertility, which will ultimately lift soil productivity. Additionally, they will improve the overall income of our farmers by producing two different crops with the same inputs, Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza said.

It's learned from Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza that wheat-chickpea strip intercropping technology is a worldwide research topic. They designed this system mainly based on the research from Prof. Zhang Fusuo of China Agricultural University.

Furthermore, Wageningen University, Netherlands has also done lot of research on these intercropping systems.

Applied and modified according to the needs and the local environment of Pakistan, wheat-chickpea strip intercropping technology is expected to make better use of available space to further increase the yield per hectare and bring economic benifits to Pakistani farmers in the near future.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan set to utilize Chinese technology to boost organic peach growing in the country.

Shahzad
November 26, 2021

According to a research published by China Economic Net, Beijing method may enhance organic peach farming in Pakistan (CEN).

Peaches are known as the “Queen” of fruits in Pakistan, according to the article. It’s a unique fruit with a superb flavour and attractive appearance. Peach season in Pakistan typically begins in May and lasts until the first week of September.

According to the Crop Reporting Service of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province has 6,330 hectares dedicated to the cultivation of the fruit. Swat produced 5,280 tonnes of peaches in 2018-2019, compared to 1,066 tonnes in Peshawar.

According to Nasir Khan, an orchard owner from Swat, peaches are becoming the main source of revenue for Swat farmers. “We can add value to our peaches and sell them to other nations if we have superior farming and processing technology,” he said.