Pakistan Agriculture Developments

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Seed ID technology of China to be introduced in Pakistan​

December 15, 2022



The technology, developed by Jianghan University in China, can identify seed kinds at the molecular level and build a DNA database of seeds, assisting owners in better protecting their intellectual property rights and decreasing seed counterfeiting and adulteration.

Zhou Xusheng, the company’s Director of Pakistan Business said that fake, low-quality seeds have been weakening Pakistan’s crop productivity. The validity of seeds will be verified more readily and efficiently using the MNP marker approach, according to China Economic Net (CEN).

For imported germplasm resources, the system can swiftly identify intellectual property owners, differentiate fundamentally derived varieties from counterfeits, and boost seed sector innovation. This MNP technique can be applied to a variety of crops, including potato, sugar cane, rice, maize, soybean, cotton, peanut, millet, and vegetable crops, among others.

Furthermore, it will expedite new variety approval, guide seed development, and promote seed quality and protection, according to Zhou.
BEIJING, Dec 14 (APP): Wuhan Qingfa Hesheng Seed Co. Ltd signed a letter of intent with Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) this month on promoting MNP marker technology in Pakistan, a method to identify plant varieties.


The method, developed by Jianghan University, China, can identify seed varieties at the molecular level and construct the DNA database of seeds, thus helping better protect owners’ Intellectual Property rights and reducing the counterfeit and adulteration of seeds.

According to Zhou Xusheng, Director of Pakistan Business of the company, fake, low-quality seeds have been undermining Pakistan’s crop production. With MNP marker method, the authenticity of seeds will be detected more easily and efficiently, China Economic Net (CEN) reported.

For imported germ plasm resources, the technology can quickly clarify the intellectual property owners, distinguish essentially derived varieties from counterfeits, and encourage innovation in the seed industry.

This MNP technology can be applied to multiple crops, be it vegetative or generative propagation, such as potato, sugar cane, rice, maize, soybean, cotton, peanut, millet, and vegetable crops etc.

Moreover, according to Zhou, it will facilitate new variety approval, guide seed breeding, and promote seed quality and protection.

 

[ghazi52]

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Expert for switching to new wheat varieties​

Recorder

ISLAMABAD: Agriculture expert Khan Faraz has stressed on need to create awareness among growers and farmers to switch to newly developed, tough wheat varieties to withstand the effects of climate change and provide better nutrition to people.

Talking to Business Recorder, he said that the country is reportedly missing its wheat production target for the last three years due to the climate change effects, agricultural scientists claim that this year’s extraordinarily high temperatures in March and April damaged the wheat crop at the time of grain filling.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022

 

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Punjab govt to extend subsidy to farmers for sunflower cultivation​

Recorder

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to extend a subsidy to farmers interested in sunflower cultivation at the rate of Rs 5,000 per acre in a bid to encourage the growers for increasing the area under oilseed crop cultivation.

The subsidy is being extended under the national plan to promote the production of oilseeds and bring down the import bill of edible oil, said a spokesman of the agriculture department here on Monday.

Pakistan imports edible oil worth 300 billion rupees annually, which is an enormous burden on the country’s economy. Therefore, under the national plan to promote the production of oil products, the Punjab government has decided to extend subsidies on oilseed crops.

In this regard, a subsidy is being provided to the registered farmers of Punjab province for up to 20 acres of sunflower cultivation. To avail of the subsidy amount, scratch card number bearing bags of registered companies should be bought from the shops and voucher number along with ID card number should be sent by the farmer to 8070. The growers can get Rs 1000 per acre immediately from their nearest mobile shop on receipt of SMS and receive Rs 4000 per acre after receiving SMS on crop confirmation.

The province has been divided into three parts for sunflower cultivation and the first part includes areas of South Punjab namely Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Lodhran, Bhakkar and Khanewal where the cultivation of sunflower can be done till January 31.

While in the second part Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Jhang, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Lahore, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib fall where sunflower cultivation time has been fixed from 1st to 31st January.

In the third phase of sunflower cultivation, the period for sunflower cultivation in Narowal, Attock, Rawalpindi, Gujarat, Jhelum and Chakwal districts of North Punjab has been fixed from January to February 15.


Copyright Business Recorder, 2023

 

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CPEC to revitalize Pakistan’s livestock industry​

January 28, 2023



ISLAMABAD – Various projects initiated under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will prove beneficial in promoting trade between the two neighbouring countries in the livestock and agriculture sectors, WealthPK reported.

China will help Pakistan to establish farms for the cultivation of high-yield chillies. China will also help Pakistani farmers to produce embryos of cows with a larger quantity of milk. The joint initiative has an initial export potential of $500 to $550 million.

The Chinese government has chosen two companies for the CPEC projects in the agriculture and livestock sectors. Litong has been chosen for agricultural projects and Royal Company for those in the livestock sector.

It has been planned to improve technical exchange and seed production, animal and poultry breeding, agriculture product processing and post-harvest management under the CPEC projects.

Dr Saiful Mujjahid, an economist, told WealthPK that poor seed quality, a lack of modern agricultural practises, low yields and a shortage of qualified farm labourers were affecting the agriculture and livestock sectors in Pakistan. He said that the country needed agricultural and livestock research to boost the production of goods and improve their quality for the purpose of export.

China has more expertise in agriculture than Pakistan. Pakistan should get benefit from it by incorporating farming methods and raising awareness among local farmers to boost yields of different crops and vegetables.
Compound planting and greenhouses are Chinese agricultural innovations that are ideal for Pakistani crops. Pakistan should use green pesticides and organic fertilisers to reduce pollution caused by agricultural sources. The country needs to enhance the genetic diversity of the cows used for dairy farming. It requires better embryos for high-yield milk and the long lives of animals.

“Pakistan offers perfect conditions for growing chillies. We should cultivate more chillies in a smaller space with the aid of Chinese businesses by utilising better farming methods, the most recent research and better seeds. This might open up further export opportunities for Pakistan,” said Dr Saif.

He said that under the CPEC framework, Chinese companies in collaboration with Fauji Fertiliser Corporation would set up factories to produce pesticides as well as livestock and poultry feed in Allama Iqbal Special Economic Zone in Faisalabad. “It will increase collaboration between China and Pakistan on food, livestock and agricultural research and development. Pakistan’s economy will improve if Chinese technology is adopted. It will help to increase irrigation efficiency and agricultural production, encourage innovative technologies and produce high-value crops,” he said.

He said that poor infrastructure was a major barrier to both the development of agriculture and sustained economic growth in Pakistan. CPEC projects will improve the infrastructure for agriculture by giving farmers access to modern technology. CPEC will promote foreign investment in the agriculture sector, increasing employment prospects for graduates in the long run. “Through road, rail and marine connections,

CPEC will assist farmers in reaching larger markets where they can export their goods at profitable prices. CPEC projects include the expansion of farms to increase production using the newest tools and methods. It will improve Pakistan’s economy and increase its Gross Domestic Product,” Dr Saif told.

 

[FuturePAF]

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CPEC to revitalize Pakistan’s livestock industry​

January 28, 2023



ISLAMABAD – Various projects initiated under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will prove beneficial in promoting trade between the two neighbouring countries in the livestock and agriculture sectors, WealthPK reported.

China will help Pakistan to establish farms for the cultivation of high-yield chillies. China will also help Pakistani farmers to produce embryos of cows with a larger quantity of milk. The joint initiative has an initial export potential of $500 to $550 million.

The Chinese government has chosen two companies for the CPEC projects in the agriculture and livestock sectors. Litong has been chosen for agricultural projects and Royal Company for those in the livestock sector.

It has been planned to improve technical exchange and seed production, animal and poultry breeding, agriculture product processing and post-harvest management under the CPEC projects.

Dr Saiful Mujjahid, an economist, told WealthPK that poor seed quality, a lack of modern agricultural practises, low yields and a shortage of qualified farm labourers were affecting the agriculture and livestock sectors in Pakistan. He said that the country needed agricultural and livestock research to boost the production of goods and improve their quality for the purpose of export.

China has more expertise in agriculture than Pakistan. Pakistan should get benefit from it by incorporating farming methods and raising awareness among local farmers to boost yields of different crops and vegetables.

Compound planting and greenhouses are Chinese agricultural innovations that are ideal for Pakistani crops. Pakistan should use green pesticides and organic fertilisers to reduce pollution caused by agricultural sources. The country needs to enhance the genetic diversity of the cows used for dairy farming. It requires better embryos for high-yield milk and the long lives of animals.

“Pakistan offers perfect conditions for growing chillies. We should cultivate more chillies in a smaller space with the aid of Chinese businesses by utilising better farming methods, the most recent research and better seeds. This might open up further export opportunities for Pakistan,” said Dr Saif.

He said that under the CPEC framework, Chinese companies in collaboration with Fauji Fertiliser Corporation would set up factories to produce pesticides as well as livestock and poultry feed in Allama Iqbal Special Economic Zone in Faisalabad. “It will increase collaboration between China and Pakistan on food, livestock and agricultural research and development. Pakistan’s economy will improve if Chinese technology is adopted. It will help to increase irrigation efficiency and agricultural production, encourage innovative technologies and produce high-value crops,” he said.


He said that poor infrastructure was a major barrier to both the development of agriculture and sustained economic growth in Pakistan. CPEC projects will improve the infrastructure for agriculture by giving farmers access to modern technology. CPEC will promote foreign investment in the agriculture sector, increasing employment prospects for graduates in the long run. “Through road, rail and marine connections,

CPEC will assist farmers in reaching larger markets where they can export their goods at profitable prices. CPEC projects include the expansion of farms to increase production using the newest tools and methods. It will improve Pakistan’s economy and increase its Gross Domestic Product,” Dr Saif told.

I hope the SEZ has model farms for people to visit and learn techniques for better farming and water management. Farmers that try to do all they can on their own, will eventually come to the market to buy products to enhance their yields if they see they work in a cost effective way.

Btw, is it legal for people to keep chickens in large numbers in the houses in Pakistan? Cottage industries have helped many countries survive hardships.

Hopefully more efficient biogas production can also be done at home; to generate gas for home cooking needs and electricity generation, as well as to run machines at the farms. Waste water treatment plants could do this on a larger scale, and with extracting waste to turn into biogas, could even become sustainable. Clean water would cut down on heath problems and reduce the need for people to drink bottled water.

Indigenous production or joint ventures to produce domestically all major inputs should be a goal of the agricultural modernization.
Hopefully domestic solar panel production will be a big part of Chinese investment into Pakistan.

We need to find useful ways to utilize what has been considered waste.

P.S. I hope PTI starts building biogas production systems and starts hand them out to all areas of the country (especially in areas it wants to win votes and flip seats) . Empower people to feel they can change their own lives or at least become entrepreneurs and do something to earn a living. Starting perhaps with Widows and orphans; those that have limited means to earn outside the home.

 

[ghazi52]

I hope the SEZ has model farms for people to visit and learn techniques for better farming and water management. Farmers that try to do all they can on their own, will eventually come to the market to buy products to entrance their yields if they see they work in a cost effective way.

Btw, is it legal for people to keep chickens in large numbers in the houses in Pakistan? Cottage industries have helped many countries survive hardships.

Yes, anybody can have them in their house. lot of Poultry farms on their roof top.

 

[FuturePAF]

Another industry I hope they consider is dredging behind dams to extract the silt and separate out the smallest particles to be mixed with soil to rebuild fertile top soil.

It would prolong the lives of dams and create employment for many. Creating a product that would pay for the labor and even possible turn a profit.

Yes, anybody can have them in their house. lot of Poultry farms on their roof top.

Even in holland a mayor gave every house hold that wanted, 3 chickens. 1/6 of the households accepted the chickens and now egg prices in that town have dropped by half is I’m not mistaken.

What the state of roof top vegetable farming? During these economic hardships, people should be encouraged to create “victory gardens”. The psychological benefits along with some control over food supply will help people feel they can better weather this crisis.

We may also be able to find talented people, that do well with their small gardens, that could be well suited to go to agricultural universities, and get training to work on CPEC SEZ farms. Same could apply to all other aspected on agribusiness; bio gas generation, poultry farming, water management, etc.

 

[ghazi52]

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Joint efforts for food security urged​

Under the MoU, both institutions will provide academic and administrative support where required

Correspondent
February 04, 2023

LAHORE: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore and Alltech Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly work on project related to climate change, food security and sustainability.

UVAS Vice-Chancellor Dr Nasim Ahmad (SI), Chairman Department of Animal Nutrition Associate Dr Naveedul Haq, Chief Executive Officer Alltech Pakistan Dr Shahzad Naveed Jadoon and Marketing Manager Obaidur Rehman signed the MoU in a ceremony at City Campus.

Dean Faculty of Animal Production & Technology Prof Dr Saima, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences Business Management Prof Dr Muhammad Azam, UVAS faculty members and officials from Alltech Pakistan were also present at the ceremony.

Dr Ahmad said cooperation with Alltech will benefit both organizations, particularly through sharing experiences, innovative knowledge, new ideas and practical skills.

He urged self-reliance and stated that the enhancement of milk and meat production is key to solve the ongoing financial crises in Pakistan. He acknowledged the role of Alltech Pakistan for providing technical and financial assistance to UVAS.

Under the MoU, both institutions will provide academic and administrative support where required.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2023.

 

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Pakistan Approves Plan to Buy 300,000 Tons of Russian Wheat

Finance Miniter Ishaq Dar approved the plan proposed by the ministry of defense to buy wheat of almost 300,000 metric tons from Russia.

PM restrict the private sector by not allowing them to import wheat at a cheap price.

The main reason for buying wheat from Russia is the floods in southern Punjab may delay the cultivation of wheat as well other crops for the next season.

 

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China and Pakistan's major cooperation in cooking oil sector.

Wuhan Ching Fahsheng Seed Company's canola type HC-021C is being manufactured in Pakistan. This technology can increase Pakistan's edible oil production and save foreign exchange reserves. Local people with Pak-China agricultural cooperation under CPC framework Will benefit the ko.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=905937060741636

 

[ghazi52]

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Zhao Jianhua, a Chinese agronomist, guides a Pakistani technician Muhammad Sajjad to examine the saplings in a greenhouse of the Pakistan-China red chili project in Multan.

 

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China, Pakistan ink agreement to promote modern agri technology​

February 25, 2023



ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and China have agreed to promote bilateral modern agricultural cooperation by signing a framework agreement on Belt and Road agricultural cooperation.
The agreement was signed at the China- Pakistan Symposium on Modern Agriculture Cooperation at Northwest A&F University, China, China Economic Net reported on Friday.

The agreement was signed by the Northwest A&F University, China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH), and the Office of Foreign Affairs Commission, Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee.

The three sides will work together in promoting international agricultural technology cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, training agricultural talents, building overseas agricultural parks and enhancing agricultural industrial chain of BRI countries.

Prof. Zhang Lixin from Northwest A&F University told the media that to facilitate agricultural technology transfer, the university will establish a mechanism for expert exchange with agricultural universities and research institutes in BRI countries.

A resource-sharing platform is proposed at the symposium to share and promote success models.

Projects including agricultural mechanization, deep processing of food, cross-border agricultural trade, agricultural warehousing, international logistics and overseas agricultural parks will be promoted via SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange, Yangling Area of China (Shaanxi) Pilot Free Trade Zone and Yangling Comprehensive Bonded Zone.

To support the above efforts, new scholarship programs are in pipeline to train agricultural talents. The overseas agricultural project bases under SINOMACH, including those in Pakistan, will offer opportunities to local students and researchers for study, internship, employment, and entrepreneurship.

The university is also launching new research projects jointly with Pakistani partners.

 

[FuturePAF]

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China, Pakistan ink agreement to promote modern agri technology​

training agricultural talents, building overseas agricultural parks and enhancing agricultural industrial chain of BRI countries.

Prof. Zhang Lixin from Northwest A&F University told the media that to facilitate agricultural technology transfer, the university will establish a mechanism for expert exchange with agricultural universities and research institutes in BRI countries.

A resource-sharing platform is proposed at the symposium to share and promote success models.

Projects including agricultural mechanization, deep processing of food, cross-border agricultural trade, agricultural warehousing, international logistics and overseas agricultural parks will be promoted via SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange, Yangling Area of China (Shaanxi) Pilot Free Trade Zone and Yangling Comprehensive Bonded Zone.

To support the above efforts, new scholarship programs are in pipeline to train agricultural talents. The overseas agricultural project bases under SINOMACH, including those in Pakistan, will offer opportunities to local students and researchers for study, internship, employment, and entrepreneurship.

The university is also launching new research projects jointly with Pakistani partners.

These intimidating are needed ASAP. Pakistan has the potential the grow out of its problem and increase arable land by over 50%.

On the back of increased revenue from food produces can come the taxes to sustainably fund social services.

 

[ghazi52]

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Pakistani scientists develop local intercropping techs with Chinese experience​

March 2, 2023



ISLAMABAD: A team of young Pakistani agricultural scientists at the National Research Center of Intercropping (NRCI), the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) are researching on strip intercropping technologies with the hope to help their country shrink the import bill of food commodities especially soybean, which already is a huge burden on Pakistan’s economy.

It’s remarkable that the ongoing work there originated from their collaboration with China, but has been optimized specially for Pakistan based on the country’s realities, which has been a shining model of Sino-Pak cooperation in both scientific research and educational exchange.

According to Gwadar Pro on Wednesday, since 2018, Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza, a post-doc who is graduated from Sichuan Agricultural University (SAU), China, has started to promote China’s maize-soybean strip intercropping technology in Pakistan with his professor Yang Wenyu’s support and guidance, which has received good response particularly from local industrialists and progressive farmers in the recent years.

After years of hard work, he has become a productive agronomist and expert in intercropping research in Pakistan.

Under the vision of the IUB Vice Chancellor Prof. Athar Mahboob, the National Research Center of Intercropping was inaugurated on August 11, 2021 to introduce strip intercropping technologies in Pakistan’s agriculture to improve crop yields and soil productivity.

Now, Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza acts as the Director of the center, leading intercropping technology’s popularization in Pakistan.

To date, the center has already developed and optimized the Chinese maize-soybean strip intercropping technology according to local conditions, and conducted trials on the wheat-soybean strip intercropping.

Moreover, to further enhance resource use efficiency and land productivity from the sugar belt of Pakistan, the center is working on developing sugarcane-based intercropping systems.

Recently, the center conducted trials of sugarcane- and wheat-based strip intercropping systems including rapeseed, soybean, clover, and chickpea as secondary crops, with developing the intercropping-specific varieties of these crops.

The center is also conducting research on the different row configurations, particularly the wider strips, with an objective to encourage the mechanization of strip intercropping systems with existing farm machinery in Pakistan.

Following the slogan of “Think Globally, Act Locally”, Sino-Pak cooperation is a special feature of NRCI. The center has signed multi-dimensional MoUs with Sichuan Agricultural University (SAU), Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GAAS), and Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) to exchange resources, researchers and students, and also has initiated collaboration with the National Soybean Center (NSC), Agro-ecology and Conservation Lab, and Molecular Biology Lab at Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU).

It’s learned that the research at NRCI on the development and optimization of maize-soybean strip intercropping technology using water-saving technologies like drip irrigation is sponsored entirely by GAAS. Later on, GAAS will also help in the transfer and dissemination of the developed technology in Pakistan.

In addition, presently, there are eight researchers in total at NRCI including four agronomists, two breeders, two soil scientists, and one crop modeler, among which five graduated from top-notch Chinese agricultural universities including Sichuan Agricultural University and Nanjing Agricultural University on Chinese scholarships for their Ph.D. studies.

Having been well groomed and trained in the strip-intercropping research and molecular physiology of the crops, they are applying what they learned in China to developing Pakistan’s agriculture sector.

“Learning from Chinese experience through bilateral cooperation would surely train and groom Pakistanis to fight against the current economic calamity.

Particularly, the support of China in agricultural education and training would surely boost agricultural productivity in Pakistan, which will not only stabilize the economic condition of the country but also provide a nearby and cheaper food source to China that could reduce food security pressure on China,” Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza said with the vision of achieving a win-win situation via Sino-Pak agricultural cooperation.

 

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Experts propose to form hybrid seed institute for research on domestic seeds​

Recorder Report

HYDERABAD: To deal with the shortage of wheat and cotton seeds in Sindh, the provincial, federal agricultural and research institutes and the private sector of the province came on the same page under the leadership of Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, and the heads of different organization and experts proposed a two-day seed symposium and to form Hybrid seed institute for research on domestic hybrid seeds of different crops including vegetables.

To promote the research, and ensure the availability of certified seeds including wheat, cotton, rice, vegetables, and other crops in the country and especially in Sindh, an important meeting of experts of various agricultural and research institutes and the private sector was held at Sindh Agriculture University under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Dr. Fateh Marri.

Dean Dr. Inayatullah Rajpar, Director High Power Farms Committee Dr. Mujahid Hussain Laghari, Director Agriculture Institute Dr. Liaqat Ali Bhutto, Director Cotton Research Center Mazhar Keerio, Regional Director Federal Seed Certification Rizwan Bux Soomro, Executive Director Wheat Research Center Wali Muhammad Baloch, Hafeezur Rehman of Nuclear Institute of Agriculture, Saifullah Abro, Professor Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Dr. Shahnawaz Marri, Miss Saira Bano Babbar, Roshan Ali Junejo, Asadullah Jamali, MD of TASSCO Seed Company Muhammad Tariq Khanzada, Director Research and Development Manzoor Ahmed Khoro, Muhammad Mithal Lund and others participated.


Addressing the meeting, Vice Chancellor Dr. Fateh Marri said that certified seed has become the biggest agricultural problem of the province, and the development of the country and the prosperity of the farmer are linked to the certified seed.

He emphasized that to deal with this problem a two-day seed symposium should be held, by participating experts from research and extension institutions, seed certification authorities, breeders, farmers, and the private sector, including Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Speaking on the occasion, experts said that around 50 private seed companies are working in Sindh, but Sindh's agriculture has been severely affected due to non-standard seeds and fertilizers coming from other parts of the country without certification. They said that the scope of research should be widened to solve the problems of wheat TD1 and other varieties and to prepare alternative new commodities.

On this occasion, it was agreed that cotton, wheat, or rice from other countries, or instead of importing their seeds, the Cotton Research Institute should be activated and the Hybrid Seed Institute should be established for the production of local hybrid seed.

A committee was also formed for linkages with all agricultural research, government, and private institutions, in which Dr. Zahoor Soomro was selected as the chairman, and Dr. Liaquat Bhutto, Manzoor Ahmad Khoro, Dr. Saifullah Abro, Tariq Hussain Khanzada as members.

Earlier, the Director of Seed Production and Development Center, Dr. Zahoor Ahmed Soomro, while giving a briefing regarding the needs of wheat, cotton, and rice seeds in Sindh and the problems faced by them, said that the cotton crop was destroyed due to the recent floods in Sindh, and now we are facing 68% cotton and 48% wheat seed shortage.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023