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Pakistan Agriculture Developments
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July 16, 2023
LAHORE: Agri-business experts have proposed the government launch both corporate and cooperative farming simultaneously under its ‘Green Pakistan Initiative’ to ensure the growth of the national Agricultural economy by uplifting the whole agriculture sector involving both small landholders and the big farms.
“China was behind Pakistan in the agricultural sector during the late 80s as their land was fragmented. The same is the case with Pakistan, as per official sources 87 percent of farming is being done by the land owners having less than 10 acres of land.
China put together its small landholdings, and made big farms thus pushing its production up through collective and collaborative efforts,” said Engr Jawed Saleem Qureshi, Chairman of Four Brothers, a big agricultural group dealing in different agricultural inputs.
Jawed who also gave a presentation on this topic at the Green Pakistan launch event, said that as per his studies, cooperative converting into corporate farming was the main reason for the success of agriculture in China. He said that he had proposed that a cluster should be created by joining small landholders of five villages at least which should have land below 25 acres.
This cluster will be setting up their own godown, market to sell the commodities at Apni Mandi besides developing cooperative, bank, processing units of value addition in AGRI crops.
He said that the government should extend grants to such a cluster to help it start its working and march towards success. He believed that small landholders did not get good quality agricultural inputs and also pay higher prices to ‘Arhtis’ or the distributors of these inputs, as they usually take these as loans. He claimed that in some cases they charge 50 percent more the price of pesticides or seeds.
However, the case is not the same with regard to fertilizers. He observed that when small farmers would make a cluster and turn their small landholdings into a big landholding, then input manufacturing companies would approach them and may offer them their quality products at discounted rates thus bringing down the cost of farming.
Jawed said that such a cluster should also have CO2 cold storages where any product remained fresh for more extended periods and does even not lose its taste. He said that the government could start with 100 Technologically Advanced Modern Agri Centres (TAMAC) in this regard as pilot projects. ‘The Government had allocated Rs5 billion in this regard for the current year budget and now it was needed that it should be spent for the same purpose instead of transferring this amount to other heads,” he added.
Qureshi stated besides this, if we could also ensure the provision of quality seed with the potential of giving more per acre yield, it could earn billions of rupees in addition to the present earnings by ploughing the same land which was being ploughed presently.
He said that the government should just allow private companies to import the best seed of any crop being sown anywhere in the world. He said that if we could increase our wheat yield just by 7.25 maund per acre, cotton yield by 12.15 maund per acre, rice by 40.94 maund per acre, sugarcane by 288.05 maund per acre, rapeseed/mustard by 16.04 maund per acre, then Pakistan could earn additional US$15.83 billion more from the current land.
Similarly, he said seeds of mustard (such as Cazola) and cotton with higher yield sown over one million acres of land under corporate farming could also earn Rs500 billion additional per annum to the country.
Experts for launching corporate, cooperative farming simultaneously
Zahid BaigJuly 16, 2023
LAHORE: Agri-business experts have proposed the government launch both corporate and cooperative farming simultaneously under its ‘Green Pakistan Initiative’ to ensure the growth of the national Agricultural economy by uplifting the whole agriculture sector involving both small landholders and the big farms.
“China was behind Pakistan in the agricultural sector during the late 80s as their land was fragmented. The same is the case with Pakistan, as per official sources 87 percent of farming is being done by the land owners having less than 10 acres of land.
China put together its small landholdings, and made big farms thus pushing its production up through collective and collaborative efforts,” said Engr Jawed Saleem Qureshi, Chairman of Four Brothers, a big agricultural group dealing in different agricultural inputs.
Jawed who also gave a presentation on this topic at the Green Pakistan launch event, said that as per his studies, cooperative converting into corporate farming was the main reason for the success of agriculture in China. He said that he had proposed that a cluster should be created by joining small landholders of five villages at least which should have land below 25 acres.
This cluster will be setting up their own godown, market to sell the commodities at Apni Mandi besides developing cooperative, bank, processing units of value addition in AGRI crops.
He said that the government should extend grants to such a cluster to help it start its working and march towards success. He believed that small landholders did not get good quality agricultural inputs and also pay higher prices to ‘Arhtis’ or the distributors of these inputs, as they usually take these as loans. He claimed that in some cases they charge 50 percent more the price of pesticides or seeds.
However, the case is not the same with regard to fertilizers. He observed that when small farmers would make a cluster and turn their small landholdings into a big landholding, then input manufacturing companies would approach them and may offer them their quality products at discounted rates thus bringing down the cost of farming.
Jawed said that such a cluster should also have CO2 cold storages where any product remained fresh for more extended periods and does even not lose its taste. He said that the government could start with 100 Technologically Advanced Modern Agri Centres (TAMAC) in this regard as pilot projects. ‘The Government had allocated Rs5 billion in this regard for the current year budget and now it was needed that it should be spent for the same purpose instead of transferring this amount to other heads,” he added.
Qureshi stated besides this, if we could also ensure the provision of quality seed with the potential of giving more per acre yield, it could earn billions of rupees in addition to the present earnings by ploughing the same land which was being ploughed presently.
He said that the government should just allow private companies to import the best seed of any crop being sown anywhere in the world. He said that if we could increase our wheat yield just by 7.25 maund per acre, cotton yield by 12.15 maund per acre, rice by 40.94 maund per acre, sugarcane by 288.05 maund per acre, rapeseed/mustard by 16.04 maund per acre, then Pakistan could earn additional US$15.83 billion more from the current land.
Similarly, he said seeds of mustard (such as Cazola) and cotton with higher yield sown over one million acres of land under corporate farming could also earn Rs500 billion additional per annum to the country.
ghazi52
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Additional revenue: Govt committed to targeting agri and construction sectors
Business RecorderJul 19, 2023
ISLAMABAD: The government has committed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to sustainably raise additional revenue by targeting undertaxed sectors such as agriculture and construction, broaden the tax base, and improve progressively.
In the Letter of Intent (LOI) submitted by the government to the IMF, the government has reiterated its commitment not to launch any new tax amnesties or grant further any new tax exemptions in 2023-24 including through the budget or statutory regulatory orders(SROs) without prior National Assembly approval.
According to the IMF report, titled, “Country Report, Request For A Stand-By Arrangement” released on Tuesday, the IMF has projected Rs9,415 billion as tax collection target for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for 2023-24. Out of this, direct taxes target has been set at Rs3,884 billion; sales tax Rs3,607 billion; customs duty Rs1,324 billion, and the target of federal excise duty (FED) has been projected at Rs600 billion for 2023-24.
The IMF criticised that despite the measures taken in February 2023, the budget deficit is projected to reach one percent of the GDP in FY23. Total tax revenue is projected at 9.9 percent of the GDP, compared to the 10.8 percent projection targeted at the time of the February Supplementary Finance Bill, 2023.
In addition to the lower revenue resulting from import suppression, other delays have also played a role; for instance, implementation gaps in track-and-trace have led to early signs of increased cigarette contraband, partially undermining the gains from recent FED increases and require the authorities to quickly correct these gaps.
More generally, revenue efforts to broaden the tax base fell short of expectations during the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) period, and the tax-to-GDP ratio has declined.
The report revealed that the budget (2023-24) aims to set in a gradual fiscal improvement and to strengthen tax revenues to 10.3 percent of GDP on the back of measures worth over Rs254 billion (almost ¼ percent of GDP) so that Pakistan has space to scale up investment in social and development sectors.
The measures included (i) an increase in the maximum PDL having an impact of Rs79 billion. The maximum will be raised to Rs60 per litre, with a path to reach an average rate of Rs55 per litre over 2023-24;(ii) an increase of personal income tax (PIT) having a revenue impact of Rs30 billion.
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Jul 24, 2023
The General Administration of Customs China (GACC) confirmed to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), Ministry of National Food Security and Research, that Pakistani exporters can export cherries from Pakistan to China from DPP-registered orchards and pack houses.
This market access request was pending since 2012. However, GACC after a video inspection of quarantine procedures and registered orchards & cold treatment facilities, and packhouses registered with DPP for sanitary and phytosanitary measures, allowed the export of cherries from Pakistan to China in accordance with the agreed protocol.
The Department of Plant Protection took special steps to upgrade registered orchards, cold treatment facilities, and pack houses as per the requirements of GACC. Tireless efforts including guidance and repeated technical compliance audits were put in this direction by DPP to ensure and enable these orchards and facilities to export cherries through improvement in food safety and phytosanitary measures besides quality, storage, and packaging. Now, 90 cherry orchards and 15 cold treatment facilities & packhouses from Pakistan can export cherries to China.
This agreement opens a gateway to further exports to international markets given the quality standards remain sound. Further, the up-gradation of more orchards and facilities is in the pipeline with DPP, to make them at par with international standards to achieve major shares in high-end markets of Asia, Europe, the US, and Australia and obtain their registration for export to China.
Pakistan Set to Export Cherries to China for First Time in Over a Decade
By ProPKJul 24, 2023
The General Administration of Customs China (GACC) confirmed to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), Ministry of National Food Security and Research, that Pakistani exporters can export cherries from Pakistan to China from DPP-registered orchards and pack houses.
This market access request was pending since 2012. However, GACC after a video inspection of quarantine procedures and registered orchards & cold treatment facilities, and packhouses registered with DPP for sanitary and phytosanitary measures, allowed the export of cherries from Pakistan to China in accordance with the agreed protocol.
The Department of Plant Protection took special steps to upgrade registered orchards, cold treatment facilities, and pack houses as per the requirements of GACC. Tireless efforts including guidance and repeated technical compliance audits were put in this direction by DPP to ensure and enable these orchards and facilities to export cherries through improvement in food safety and phytosanitary measures besides quality, storage, and packaging. Now, 90 cherry orchards and 15 cold treatment facilities & packhouses from Pakistan can export cherries to China.
This agreement opens a gateway to further exports to international markets given the quality standards remain sound. Further, the up-gradation of more orchards and facilities is in the pipeline with DPP, to make them at par with international standards to achieve major shares in high-end markets of Asia, Europe, the US, and Australia and obtain their registration for export to China.
ghazi52
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Pakistan’s First Completely Automated and Smart Agri Farm Khanewal Model Agriculture Farm; A Flagship of Green Pakistan Initiative.
Pakistan’s First Completely Automated and Smart Agri Farm Khanewal Model Agriculture Farm; A Flagship of Green Pakistan Initiative.
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The board of Habib Bank Limited (HBL), one of the country’s largest banks, has approved the incorporation of ‘HBL Zarai Services Limited’ as a wholly-owned subsidiary to promote Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
The development was shared by HBL in its notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday.
“To promote the agriculture sector of Pakistan, the Board of Directors of the bank has approved the incorporation of ‘HBL Zarai Services Limited’ as a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank, subject to receipt of all regulatory approvals,” read the notice.
Earlier, HBL shared that it intends to establish a subsidiary to promote Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
“We would like to clarify that the bank (HBL) intends to set up a subsidiary, to promote the agriculture sector of Pakistan, for which a detailed feasibility report has been finalised,” said HBL in a notice back then.
Pakistan’s agriculture sector: HBL Zarai Services Limited to be incorporated
BRThe board of Habib Bank Limited (HBL), one of the country’s largest banks, has approved the incorporation of ‘HBL Zarai Services Limited’ as a wholly-owned subsidiary to promote Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
The development was shared by HBL in its notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday.
“To promote the agriculture sector of Pakistan, the Board of Directors of the bank has approved the incorporation of ‘HBL Zarai Services Limited’ as a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank, subject to receipt of all regulatory approvals,” read the notice.
Earlier, HBL shared that it intends to establish a subsidiary to promote Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
“We would like to clarify that the bank (HBL) intends to set up a subsidiary, to promote the agriculture sector of Pakistan, for which a detailed feasibility report has been finalised,” said HBL in a notice back then.
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In what could only be called the climax moment of a movie that was dragging on, Pakistani authorities managed to clinch a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), announced literally hours ahead of the expiration of the previous programme.
The development allowed the country to avoid a potential sovereign default, a major breakthrough for the incumbent government and the country at large.
Following the announcement by the Washington-based lender, inflows from bilateral partners including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, including multilateral financial institutions such as World Bank, Asian Development poured in.
Economic pundits, government officials and the common man alike celebrated the resumption of the IMF facility.
However, if we just filter out the noise, it must be noted that the IMF’s nine-month Stand-By Agreement (SBA) – stipulating that $3 billion would be disbursed in three tranches – provides nothing more than mere breathing room for the country.
This gives an opportunity for the authorities and policymakers to bring in much-needed economic reforms, which ensure sustainable long-term growth, and end the cyclical boom and bust cycle.
One of the key concerns for Pakistan is to generate ample foreign exchange reserves and also control the outflow of foreign currency by curbing imports.
As per official data, Pakistan’s import bill, mostly consisting of energy and agri products, stood at $60 billion in fiscal year 2022-23, down from $84.49 billion recorded in the previous year, a decline of nearly 29%.
However, the decline was due to regulatory steps taken by the central bank aimed to reduce the pressure on external accounts, which will not be the case anymore as Pakistan, being under an IMF programme, will be unable to tinkle with trade controls.
On the other hand, despite being an agri-based economy, the agricultural sector, which contributes approximately 23 percent to the country’s GDP, remains infested with issues such as below-par productivity, and a decline in cultivatable area. As a result, Pakistan is compelled to import agricultural products amounting to billions of US dollar.
More so, the cash-starved country remains a massive energy importer, and as per import figures provided by the State Bank of Pakistan, the country purchased fuels worth $17.6 billion in the first eleven months of the last fiscal year, making up over 36 percent of the total imports recorded in the said period.
Thus, the only way ahead is to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imports and ensure food and energy self-sufficiency, and one means or method to achieve this is through agrivoltaics.
Agrivoltaics, as the name suggests, is a modern approach under which land primarily used for agricultural practices such as crop production is combined with solar energy production.
In agrivoltaics, solar panels are installed above or alongside agricultural crops or livestock, allowing both agriculture and energy production to co-exist and benefit from each other synergistically.
The concept of agrivoltaics originated as a way to address the competition for land between traditional agriculture and solar energy production, and is especially suited to countries like Pakistan, that have high solar energy potential due to its geographical location and abundant sunlight.
One of the key advantages of agrivoltaics is that it optimises land usage by allowing farmers to generate renewable energy without sacrificing valuable agricultural land, which is crucial for densely populated areas like Pakistan where land availability is limited.
Secondly, various studies show that installing solar panels above crops is actually beneficial for the plants, as solar panels provide partial shade for the crops below, reducing the impact of extreme weather conditions like direct sunlight, heat waves, or heavy rain.
This shading can help control temperature and evaporation rates, which results in improved water retention thus significantly reducing irrigation needs. Certain crops can actually grow better in partially shady conditions i.e. leafy greens, herbs, and some fruits.
Agrivoltaics: looking to solve Pakistan’s food and energy conundrum at the same time
Ali AhmedIn what could only be called the climax moment of a movie that was dragging on, Pakistani authorities managed to clinch a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), announced literally hours ahead of the expiration of the previous programme.
The development allowed the country to avoid a potential sovereign default, a major breakthrough for the incumbent government and the country at large.
Following the announcement by the Washington-based lender, inflows from bilateral partners including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, including multilateral financial institutions such as World Bank, Asian Development poured in.
Economic pundits, government officials and the common man alike celebrated the resumption of the IMF facility.
However, if we just filter out the noise, it must be noted that the IMF’s nine-month Stand-By Agreement (SBA) – stipulating that $3 billion would be disbursed in three tranches – provides nothing more than mere breathing room for the country.
This gives an opportunity for the authorities and policymakers to bring in much-needed economic reforms, which ensure sustainable long-term growth, and end the cyclical boom and bust cycle.
One of the key concerns for Pakistan is to generate ample foreign exchange reserves and also control the outflow of foreign currency by curbing imports.
As per official data, Pakistan’s import bill, mostly consisting of energy and agri products, stood at $60 billion in fiscal year 2022-23, down from $84.49 billion recorded in the previous year, a decline of nearly 29%.
However, the decline was due to regulatory steps taken by the central bank aimed to reduce the pressure on external accounts, which will not be the case anymore as Pakistan, being under an IMF programme, will be unable to tinkle with trade controls.
On the other hand, despite being an agri-based economy, the agricultural sector, which contributes approximately 23 percent to the country’s GDP, remains infested with issues such as below-par productivity, and a decline in cultivatable area. As a result, Pakistan is compelled to import agricultural products amounting to billions of US dollar.
More so, the cash-starved country remains a massive energy importer, and as per import figures provided by the State Bank of Pakistan, the country purchased fuels worth $17.6 billion in the first eleven months of the last fiscal year, making up over 36 percent of the total imports recorded in the said period.
Thus, the only way ahead is to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imports and ensure food and energy self-sufficiency, and one means or method to achieve this is through agrivoltaics.
Agrivoltaics, as the name suggests, is a modern approach under which land primarily used for agricultural practices such as crop production is combined with solar energy production.
In agrivoltaics, solar panels are installed above or alongside agricultural crops or livestock, allowing both agriculture and energy production to co-exist and benefit from each other synergistically.
The concept of agrivoltaics originated as a way to address the competition for land between traditional agriculture and solar energy production, and is especially suited to countries like Pakistan, that have high solar energy potential due to its geographical location and abundant sunlight.
One of the key advantages of agrivoltaics is that it optimises land usage by allowing farmers to generate renewable energy without sacrificing valuable agricultural land, which is crucial for densely populated areas like Pakistan where land availability is limited.
Secondly, various studies show that installing solar panels above crops is actually beneficial for the plants, as solar panels provide partial shade for the crops below, reducing the impact of extreme weather conditions like direct sunlight, heat waves, or heavy rain.
This shading can help control temperature and evaporation rates, which results in improved water retention thus significantly reducing irrigation needs. Certain crops can actually grow better in partially shady conditions i.e. leafy greens, herbs, and some fruits.
ghazi52
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Soybean seed multiplication block at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), which is Pakistan's only seed provider and leader in soybean crop research and development.
Currently, nearly 400 acres of soybean elite varieties have been planted at the centre. Research is being carried out on different aspects of soybean, i.e. breeding, genomics, UAV-based high throughput phenotyping, root imaging, precision agriculture, agronomics, PGPRs and advanced mechanisation.
(Photos © Haris Khan)
Islamabad, NARC
Soybean seed multiplication block at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), which is Pakistan's only seed provider and leader in soybean crop research and development.
Currently, nearly 400 acres of soybean elite varieties have been planted at the centre. Research is being carried out on different aspects of soybean, i.e. breeding, genomics, UAV-based high throughput phenotyping, root imaging, precision agriculture, agronomics, PGPRs and advanced mechanisation.
(Photos © Haris Khan)
Islamabad, NARC
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300 tons of chilli will be dried and exported to China in August. [Photo/China Economic Net]
by Liu Qiyu
LAHORE, July 13 (China Economic Net) - Soaked in the summer sun, 300 tons of chilli glow softly in the pilot chilli field in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. “The 300 tons of chilli we picked will be dried and exported to China in August,” noted Wu Guang, General Manager of Pakistan Subsidiary, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), adding that it is the first time Pakistani chilli enter the Chinese market since 2020.
What happened to Pakistani chilli?
Pakistan has ideal conditions for Chilli/Pepper (Capsicum Annum L.) cultivation. According to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Pakistan is amongst the top ten chilli producing nations which enjoy a combination of warm, humid yet dry weather and a well-drained sandy loam with rich organic content.
However, Pakistan's chilli production has been lower than the world average for the same period since 2015. From FY2014–15 to FY2017-18, the average annual production of chilli in Pakistan was around 143,428 tons, but it plummeted to 126,943 tons in FY2018-19, accounting for 85.7% its peak in FY2017-18 of 148,114 tons.
Take Sindh as an example. In Pakistan, Sindh province is the major producer of chilli followed by Punjab and Balochistan. The major constraints in production faced by chilli farmers here are lack of modern irrigation system, imbalance use of fertilizer and pesticide, and lack of training.
“In Pakistan old methods of 1970s, 1960s or 1980s are adopted by farmers. Now Pakistan has to adopt modern technology to increase its production,” recommended Zahid Gishkori, a Special Investigative Correspondent in Pakistan.
What is worse, growers are troubled by some marketing issues, including unreasonable commission agent charges, improper weighing, price fluctuations and lack of proper storage facilities. Pepper growers are unable to make a proper profit from chilli due to marketing channel barriers.
Talking to China Economic Net, Khurum Javed Maqbool, Director Marketing of Fatima AG Soultions Limited, Pakistan, pointed out that at present the whole ecosystem in Pakistan is inefficient. “From harvesting to sewing and storing of the crop and then selling it and then farmers getting financing and then the returns for their produce... All these operations require improvement.”
China-Pakistan cooperation to heat up Pakistan’s chilli industry
Pakistani farmers and a Chinese agricultural expert in the field. [Photo/China Economic Net]
In July, a pilot Chilli farm project under the cooperation between Pakistani farmers and their Chinese partners - CMEC & Sichuan Litong Food Group - began to bear fruit, with a yield around 3 times Pakistani varieties.
Chen Changwei, Chairman of Sichuan Litong Food Group, China, noted that their pilot Chilli farm project successfully completed 100 acres of plantation in the first half of 2021 in Lahore. For the 100-acre-pilot-project, the quantities of seeds are 380 grams per acre, with a yield reaching 3 tons per acre. The total production is expected to reach 300 tons.
While as per Ministry of National Food Security & Research (Economic Wing), chilli is grown on 47,349 hectares in Pakistan with a crop yield of about 2.68 tons per hectare (1.072 tons per acre) and an annual production of around 126,943 tons in FY2018-19.
Why did the production up about 3 times with the same soil and farmers?
Seed matters. As per Chen, they brought a total of 13 varieties of Chinese chillies to Pakistan since 2019. It took them three years to conduct the pilot program, and of all these 13 varieties, two varieties, namely, PJH-302 and PJH-407, have been certified for cultivation in Pakistan.
“Seed is the basic input for agriculture sector and has imperative role in enhancing agriculture productivity, food security and poverty alleviation,” said YEAR BOOK 2019-20 released by Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFS&R), Pakistan.
On top of seeds, field management is also of great significance. Correct and careful management of farming and farmers could increase efficiency and reduce risk.
“We’re gonna arrange a team of 3 agricultural experts on each chilli field of around 0.165 acres,” Wu Guang told China Economic Net. And these agricultural experts will train Pakistani staff in planting technology.
Advanced Chinese irrigation systems have also been introduced into the field. Umer Diyal, a farmer who worked in the pilot Chilli farm in Qasbi, Lahore, said that the Chinese introduced an irrigation system, and the expense of fertilizer has been reduced and every plant was getting water. “Watering of plants is not complex and expensive any more,” he added.
Also, contract farming helps a lot when it comes to addressing farmers’ concerns about marketing.
Agriculture-related economy is vulnerable, so “we’re conducting contract farming with Pakistani farmers,” Wu Guang told China Economic Net. That is, Pakistani farmers undertake to supply agreed quantities of chilli, based on the quality standards and delivery requirements of CMEC. In return, CMEC agrees to buy the chilli, at a price that is nailed down in advance.
“When the chillies are ripe, they are naturally dried and then shipped back to China for further processing,” Chen Changwei noted.
“If there is a farmer, who has harvested 100 acres of chilli crops in Nawabshah, Sindh, his profits from the local markets would be low. About 70% of the households in Pakistan grow on their own, so they wish to export the chilli to other countries,” Zahid Gishkori said, hinting that contract farming might be a feasible way for them to “export” at doorstep during the pandemic period.
“This model generates employment in the rural economy, reduces risk for firms, and provides income for farmers,” Wu Guang told China Economic Net. He further mentioned that in the next phase of the pilot Chilli farm project, as many as 3000 acres of land would be brought under chilli cultivation.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong praised the chilli farming project, saying that the project is expected to produce more than 8,000 tons of dried chillies with a net income of more than 100,000 rupees per acre for local farmers.
Lastly, Pakistan has another advantage over China in growing chillies. Sequential cropping is feasible here as the climate, soil, and water of Pakistan are different from that of China.
Chilli is a tropical and sub-tropical plant which requires warmer weather. Chen Changwei noted, the largest planting area of chilli in China is its northern part, which turns cold after September, so mostly chilli can only be planted for one season in China. While in Pakistan, “we can complete two seasons of planting as long as we avoid high temperatures from mid-June to August.”
“Our ultimate goal is to cooperate with our Pakistani friends on 200, 000 acres of land here,” Chen Changwei said determinedly.
Based on the planting, they will further develop downstream deep processing industries and create more employment opportunities in the future.
Little chillies, Great Expectations
For the 100-acre-pilot-project, the quantities of seeds are 380 grams per acre, with a yield reaching 3 tons per acre. [Photo/China Economic Net]
Wu Guang and Chen Changwei further shared with the reporter their three-step strategy.
Chen noted that in the first phase of Chilli Contract Farming Project, China-Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation Pilot Zone is to be set up in five years, forming an industrial belt from areas around Faisalabad, Multan, KPK and Lahore.
The second step is processing. A chilli processing plant will be established in Pakistan within 3 years to extract chilli pigment and chilli essence, with an industrial output value of USD 200 million.
While in the third phase, a China-Pakistan food industrial park would be established in 5 to 10 years to help Pakistan boost processed chilli exports in days to come. Wu explained, chilli is only the beginning and they are to plant more crops like garlic in Pakistan in days to come, so as to form a complete industrial chain to deep process raw material close by.
“Many Chinese enjoy chilli sauce that is made of chilli, beans, garlic and so on, and it would be easier and economical to export deep-processed chilli products like bottled chilli sauce than raw material,” Wu said.
“As the Chinese technical researchers are involved in it we are sure the project has high prospects,” Dr Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) told CEN reporter, adding that the processed chilli will be exported from Pakistan, generating revenue from foreign markets and upgrading industrial structure in Pakistan.
Syed Fakhar Imam, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Pakistan, adding that bilateral cooperation will enhance agricultural output and improve quality, enabling Pakistani commodities to reach international markets.
As per Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Pakistan in FY2019-2020 exported 1,825 tons of chilli, worth Rs. 581.3 million, accounting for 63.6% of its peak in FY2016-17 of 5,905 tons worth Rs. 914.3 million for the last 19 fiscal years. Mostly Pakistan’s chilli and chilli products are exported to Middle Eastern markets like Saudi Arabia.
As China became the world’s leading chilli and pepper consuming country, there is ample room for Pak-China cooperation. According to statistics released by General Administration of Customs of China, China imported 49,800 tons of chilli worth USD 34.002 million in 2020. However, China did not import any chilli or chilli products from Pakistan in 2020. And for the last 5 years, China has only imported limited processed chilli products from Pakistan worth USD 4,099 in 2018-2019.
Despite its low export volume, Pakistan's chilli has been well received in China. On Daraz, the leading online marketplace in South Asia, it takes you Rs. 398 to buy one Red Chilli Powder weighed 110g. But when you search for Pakistani chilli on JD.com, a Chinese e-commerce giant, you could find the same Red Chilli Powder exported from Pakistan. It costs you RMB 33.6 (≈Rs. 820) to buy one in China, which is twice the original price in Pakistan. “This red chilli powder is incredible! For curry cooking authentic spices counts a lot,” a Chinese netizen posted a comment for it.
“At present, Pakistani pepper has a limited market share in China. But we are very confident that we can achieve a yield from hundreds of tons to tens of thousands of tons as the Pak-China project on chilli succeeded!” Wu Guang expressed his confidence in Pakistani chilli’s future market share in China.
Pakistani chilli to spice up China in August
By Liu Qiyu | China Economic Net
300 tons of chilli will be dried and exported to China in August. [Photo/China Economic Net]
by Liu Qiyu
LAHORE, July 13 (China Economic Net) - Soaked in the summer sun, 300 tons of chilli glow softly in the pilot chilli field in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. “The 300 tons of chilli we picked will be dried and exported to China in August,” noted Wu Guang, General Manager of Pakistan Subsidiary, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), adding that it is the first time Pakistani chilli enter the Chinese market since 2020.
What happened to Pakistani chilli?
Pakistan has ideal conditions for Chilli/Pepper (Capsicum Annum L.) cultivation. According to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Pakistan is amongst the top ten chilli producing nations which enjoy a combination of warm, humid yet dry weather and a well-drained sandy loam with rich organic content.
However, Pakistan's chilli production has been lower than the world average for the same period since 2015. From FY2014–15 to FY2017-18, the average annual production of chilli in Pakistan was around 143,428 tons, but it plummeted to 126,943 tons in FY2018-19, accounting for 85.7% its peak in FY2017-18 of 148,114 tons.
Take Sindh as an example. In Pakistan, Sindh province is the major producer of chilli followed by Punjab and Balochistan. The major constraints in production faced by chilli farmers here are lack of modern irrigation system, imbalance use of fertilizer and pesticide, and lack of training.
“In Pakistan old methods of 1970s, 1960s or 1980s are adopted by farmers. Now Pakistan has to adopt modern technology to increase its production,” recommended Zahid Gishkori, a Special Investigative Correspondent in Pakistan.
What is worse, growers are troubled by some marketing issues, including unreasonable commission agent charges, improper weighing, price fluctuations and lack of proper storage facilities. Pepper growers are unable to make a proper profit from chilli due to marketing channel barriers.
Talking to China Economic Net, Khurum Javed Maqbool, Director Marketing of Fatima AG Soultions Limited, Pakistan, pointed out that at present the whole ecosystem in Pakistan is inefficient. “From harvesting to sewing and storing of the crop and then selling it and then farmers getting financing and then the returns for their produce... All these operations require improvement.”
China-Pakistan cooperation to heat up Pakistan’s chilli industry
Pakistani farmers and a Chinese agricultural expert in the field. [Photo/China Economic Net]
In July, a pilot Chilli farm project under the cooperation between Pakistani farmers and their Chinese partners - CMEC & Sichuan Litong Food Group - began to bear fruit, with a yield around 3 times Pakistani varieties.
Chen Changwei, Chairman of Sichuan Litong Food Group, China, noted that their pilot Chilli farm project successfully completed 100 acres of plantation in the first half of 2021 in Lahore. For the 100-acre-pilot-project, the quantities of seeds are 380 grams per acre, with a yield reaching 3 tons per acre. The total production is expected to reach 300 tons.
While as per Ministry of National Food Security & Research (Economic Wing), chilli is grown on 47,349 hectares in Pakistan with a crop yield of about 2.68 tons per hectare (1.072 tons per acre) and an annual production of around 126,943 tons in FY2018-19.
Why did the production up about 3 times with the same soil and farmers?
Seed matters. As per Chen, they brought a total of 13 varieties of Chinese chillies to Pakistan since 2019. It took them three years to conduct the pilot program, and of all these 13 varieties, two varieties, namely, PJH-302 and PJH-407, have been certified for cultivation in Pakistan.
“Seed is the basic input for agriculture sector and has imperative role in enhancing agriculture productivity, food security and poverty alleviation,” said YEAR BOOK 2019-20 released by Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFS&R), Pakistan.
On top of seeds, field management is also of great significance. Correct and careful management of farming and farmers could increase efficiency and reduce risk.
“We’re gonna arrange a team of 3 agricultural experts on each chilli field of around 0.165 acres,” Wu Guang told China Economic Net. And these agricultural experts will train Pakistani staff in planting technology.
Advanced Chinese irrigation systems have also been introduced into the field. Umer Diyal, a farmer who worked in the pilot Chilli farm in Qasbi, Lahore, said that the Chinese introduced an irrigation system, and the expense of fertilizer has been reduced and every plant was getting water. “Watering of plants is not complex and expensive any more,” he added.
Also, contract farming helps a lot when it comes to addressing farmers’ concerns about marketing.
Agriculture-related economy is vulnerable, so “we’re conducting contract farming with Pakistani farmers,” Wu Guang told China Economic Net. That is, Pakistani farmers undertake to supply agreed quantities of chilli, based on the quality standards and delivery requirements of CMEC. In return, CMEC agrees to buy the chilli, at a price that is nailed down in advance.
“When the chillies are ripe, they are naturally dried and then shipped back to China for further processing,” Chen Changwei noted.
“If there is a farmer, who has harvested 100 acres of chilli crops in Nawabshah, Sindh, his profits from the local markets would be low. About 70% of the households in Pakistan grow on their own, so they wish to export the chilli to other countries,” Zahid Gishkori said, hinting that contract farming might be a feasible way for them to “export” at doorstep during the pandemic period.
“This model generates employment in the rural economy, reduces risk for firms, and provides income for farmers,” Wu Guang told China Economic Net. He further mentioned that in the next phase of the pilot Chilli farm project, as many as 3000 acres of land would be brought under chilli cultivation.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong praised the chilli farming project, saying that the project is expected to produce more than 8,000 tons of dried chillies with a net income of more than 100,000 rupees per acre for local farmers.
Lastly, Pakistan has another advantage over China in growing chillies. Sequential cropping is feasible here as the climate, soil, and water of Pakistan are different from that of China.
Chilli is a tropical and sub-tropical plant which requires warmer weather. Chen Changwei noted, the largest planting area of chilli in China is its northern part, which turns cold after September, so mostly chilli can only be planted for one season in China. While in Pakistan, “we can complete two seasons of planting as long as we avoid high temperatures from mid-June to August.”
“Our ultimate goal is to cooperate with our Pakistani friends on 200, 000 acres of land here,” Chen Changwei said determinedly.
Based on the planting, they will further develop downstream deep processing industries and create more employment opportunities in the future.
Little chillies, Great Expectations
For the 100-acre-pilot-project, the quantities of seeds are 380 grams per acre, with a yield reaching 3 tons per acre. [Photo/China Economic Net]
Wu Guang and Chen Changwei further shared with the reporter their three-step strategy.
Chen noted that in the first phase of Chilli Contract Farming Project, China-Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation Pilot Zone is to be set up in five years, forming an industrial belt from areas around Faisalabad, Multan, KPK and Lahore.
The second step is processing. A chilli processing plant will be established in Pakistan within 3 years to extract chilli pigment and chilli essence, with an industrial output value of USD 200 million.
While in the third phase, a China-Pakistan food industrial park would be established in 5 to 10 years to help Pakistan boost processed chilli exports in days to come. Wu explained, chilli is only the beginning and they are to plant more crops like garlic in Pakistan in days to come, so as to form a complete industrial chain to deep process raw material close by.
“Many Chinese enjoy chilli sauce that is made of chilli, beans, garlic and so on, and it would be easier and economical to export deep-processed chilli products like bottled chilli sauce than raw material,” Wu said.
“As the Chinese technical researchers are involved in it we are sure the project has high prospects,” Dr Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) told CEN reporter, adding that the processed chilli will be exported from Pakistan, generating revenue from foreign markets and upgrading industrial structure in Pakistan.
Syed Fakhar Imam, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Pakistan, adding that bilateral cooperation will enhance agricultural output and improve quality, enabling Pakistani commodities to reach international markets.
As per Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Pakistan in FY2019-2020 exported 1,825 tons of chilli, worth Rs. 581.3 million, accounting for 63.6% of its peak in FY2016-17 of 5,905 tons worth Rs. 914.3 million for the last 19 fiscal years. Mostly Pakistan’s chilli and chilli products are exported to Middle Eastern markets like Saudi Arabia.
As China became the world’s leading chilli and pepper consuming country, there is ample room for Pak-China cooperation. According to statistics released by General Administration of Customs of China, China imported 49,800 tons of chilli worth USD 34.002 million in 2020. However, China did not import any chilli or chilli products from Pakistan in 2020. And for the last 5 years, China has only imported limited processed chilli products from Pakistan worth USD 4,099 in 2018-2019.
Despite its low export volume, Pakistan's chilli has been well received in China. On Daraz, the leading online marketplace in South Asia, it takes you Rs. 398 to buy one Red Chilli Powder weighed 110g. But when you search for Pakistani chilli on JD.com, a Chinese e-commerce giant, you could find the same Red Chilli Powder exported from Pakistan. It costs you RMB 33.6 (≈Rs. 820) to buy one in China, which is twice the original price in Pakistan. “This red chilli powder is incredible! For curry cooking authentic spices counts a lot,” a Chinese netizen posted a comment for it.
“At present, Pakistani pepper has a limited market share in China. But we are very confident that we can achieve a yield from hundreds of tons to tens of thousands of tons as the Pak-China project on chilli succeeded!” Wu Guang expressed his confidence in Pakistani chilli’s future market share in China.
ghazi52
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KARACHI: The country’s rice export fell sharply, ie, 14 percent during the last fiscal year (FY23) due to lower crop output because of flooding. However, the expected bumper crop and ban on rice export by India will help achieve all-time high rice exports during this fiscal year (FY24), exporters said.
KARACHI: The country’s rice export fell sharply, ie, 14 percent during the last fiscal year (FY23) due to lower crop output because of flooding. However, the expected bumper crop and ban on rice export by India will help achieve all-time high rice exports during this fiscal year (FY24), exporters said.
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August 7, 2023
A farmer ploughs the field in this file photo. — Reuters/
Should we fear farm mechanisation and technical innovations? While there is widespread consensus that the use of machines is essential to increasing agricultural productivity, many people in Pakistan are concerned that it may reduce labour demand in the agriculture sector, rendering workers — especially unskilled ones — redundant, which may lead to higher unemployment in rural areas along with a widening income disparity.
This is particularly worrisome given that the agriculture sector still employs 37.5 per cent of the country’s total labour force as per Pakistan’s Labour Force Survey 2020–21.
Worldwide, the same arguments were advanced in the past when steam engines, electricity, and tractors became key components of industrial and agricultural production. However, every time, the industrial and agricultural sectors ended up using more workers with relatively higher wages.
In fact, these technologies proved to be skill-demanding rather than deskilling. Once adopted, they enhanced the overall production volume and ultimately generated new demands for jobs and skills in different sectors.
In the past, mechanisation was driven by industrial development, technological advancements, and socio-economic changes. However, climate change — with its increasingly expanding sphere of negative influence on the agriculture sector of Pakistan — has become a new driver of farm mechanisation to be reckoned with.
As has appeared evident from the recent developments in rural areas, it is anticipated that, in the future, farmers will have no other option but to increase mechanisation to cope with the adverse effects of climate change.
In June-July 2023, the largest cluster of spring maize (corn) in Pakistan — district Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, and Sahiwal — had to face an unusual negative effect of climate change. The mean monthly temperature of April, May, and June 2023 in these districts remained lower than the mean observed in previous years. On the other hand, rainfall during these months was excessively above average.
As a result, spring-sown maize matured over a longer period than usual, delaying its harvesting by almost two weeks. Usually, in these districts, maize harvesting and rice planting — both highly labour-intensive operations — are often undertaken sequentially, and most of the labour force harvests maize first and then carries out rice planting.
Climate change-driven delays in maize harvesting shifted both activities almost in parallel, and consequently, both faced an acute labour shortage.
To top it all off, the unusually high prevalence of hairy caterpillar — a worm-like insect — on maize crop during harvesting proved disastrous for harvest workers as it caused severe skin itching. In several geographic pockets, labour refused to harvest maize (corn) despite being offered extra remuneration.
Delays in rice planting in some of these areas are another dimension of the labour shortage issue. Many farmers felt almost helpless and powerless to complete rice planting well in time to ensure better crop yields.
The situation has given the labour force higher bargaining power, turning farmers from “decision makers” into “passive actors”. As a result, labour did not bother maintaining the ideal plant-to-plant distance that guarantees the optimal number of rice plants in an acre — a major determinant of crop yield.
In the given circumstances, medium- and large-sized farmers have no choice but to use self-propelled corn picker/corn harvester and mechanical rice transplanter. These machines were introduced in Pakistan a few years ago and are currently in limited use owing to their considerable capital cost.
This year, untimely successive rains in June and July proved to be another challenge for farmers, adversely affecting the sun-drying operation of maize cobs in open fields, resulting in high post-harvest losses.
Such climate change has left farmers with no other option but to switch from labour-intensive sun drying to mechanical drying, despite the high energy cost in Pakistan. However, biomass (maize residues) can serve as a cheap source of energy/heating for such drying.
The deteriorating health of rural workers is an important factor which has so far not been taken into consideration while discussing and debating the future of farm mechanisation in Pakistan.
In rural areas, millions of those young men and women have entered the labour market who face severe problems of under-nutrition in their childhood and stunted growth. With below-average height and small physical stature and strength, they are hardly capable, if not incapable, of undertaking strenuous farming operations, especially during intense summers and recurring heat waves — another consequence of climate change.
There is no question that all of the abovementioned factors are proving to be catalysts for increasing farm mechanisation in Pakistan, despite the conflicting opinions expressed by many policymakers, who want mechanisation only to the extent where lost jobs in the agriculture sector (as a consequence of mechanisation) could be balanced out with the new employment opportunities, generated by other sectors of the economy.
However, it is crucial that we not lose sight of the fact that Pakistan is already lagging behind other countries in the region in farm mechanisation and without it, even corporate farming — the recent initiative of the government to attain food security — would remain futile and fruitless.
Finally, Pakistan ranks among the top ten most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. With every passing year, the country is increasingly suffering the consequences of climate change. The slow and gradual approach of mechanisation, which is currently very widely accepted and practised, may hold water in a static environment, but the growing threat of climate change necessitates tailored mechanisation as an adaptation measure in all agricultural operations that are impacted by climate change.
In the evolving scenario, only it can ensure optimum agricultural production and crop yields, with minimum possible food losses, at each stage of the value chain.
Importance of farm mechanisation
Khalid Saeed Wattoo | Sara MehmoodAugust 7, 2023
A farmer ploughs the field in this file photo. — Reuters/
Should we fear farm mechanisation and technical innovations? While there is widespread consensus that the use of machines is essential to increasing agricultural productivity, many people in Pakistan are concerned that it may reduce labour demand in the agriculture sector, rendering workers — especially unskilled ones — redundant, which may lead to higher unemployment in rural areas along with a widening income disparity.
This is particularly worrisome given that the agriculture sector still employs 37.5 per cent of the country’s total labour force as per Pakistan’s Labour Force Survey 2020–21.
Worldwide, the same arguments were advanced in the past when steam engines, electricity, and tractors became key components of industrial and agricultural production. However, every time, the industrial and agricultural sectors ended up using more workers with relatively higher wages.
In fact, these technologies proved to be skill-demanding rather than deskilling. Once adopted, they enhanced the overall production volume and ultimately generated new demands for jobs and skills in different sectors.
In the past, mechanisation was driven by industrial development, technological advancements, and socio-economic changes. However, climate change — with its increasingly expanding sphere of negative influence on the agriculture sector of Pakistan — has become a new driver of farm mechanisation to be reckoned with.
As has appeared evident from the recent developments in rural areas, it is anticipated that, in the future, farmers will have no other option but to increase mechanisation to cope with the adverse effects of climate change.
In June-July 2023, the largest cluster of spring maize (corn) in Pakistan — district Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, and Sahiwal — had to face an unusual negative effect of climate change. The mean monthly temperature of April, May, and June 2023 in these districts remained lower than the mean observed in previous years. On the other hand, rainfall during these months was excessively above average.
As a result, spring-sown maize matured over a longer period than usual, delaying its harvesting by almost two weeks. Usually, in these districts, maize harvesting and rice planting — both highly labour-intensive operations — are often undertaken sequentially, and most of the labour force harvests maize first and then carries out rice planting.
Climate change-driven delays in maize harvesting shifted both activities almost in parallel, and consequently, both faced an acute labour shortage.
To top it all off, the unusually high prevalence of hairy caterpillar — a worm-like insect — on maize crop during harvesting proved disastrous for harvest workers as it caused severe skin itching. In several geographic pockets, labour refused to harvest maize (corn) despite being offered extra remuneration.
Delays in rice planting in some of these areas are another dimension of the labour shortage issue. Many farmers felt almost helpless and powerless to complete rice planting well in time to ensure better crop yields.
The situation has given the labour force higher bargaining power, turning farmers from “decision makers” into “passive actors”. As a result, labour did not bother maintaining the ideal plant-to-plant distance that guarantees the optimal number of rice plants in an acre — a major determinant of crop yield.
In the given circumstances, medium- and large-sized farmers have no choice but to use self-propelled corn picker/corn harvester and mechanical rice transplanter. These machines were introduced in Pakistan a few years ago and are currently in limited use owing to their considerable capital cost.
This year, untimely successive rains in June and July proved to be another challenge for farmers, adversely affecting the sun-drying operation of maize cobs in open fields, resulting in high post-harvest losses.
Such climate change has left farmers with no other option but to switch from labour-intensive sun drying to mechanical drying, despite the high energy cost in Pakistan. However, biomass (maize residues) can serve as a cheap source of energy/heating for such drying.
The deteriorating health of rural workers is an important factor which has so far not been taken into consideration while discussing and debating the future of farm mechanisation in Pakistan.
In rural areas, millions of those young men and women have entered the labour market who face severe problems of under-nutrition in their childhood and stunted growth. With below-average height and small physical stature and strength, they are hardly capable, if not incapable, of undertaking strenuous farming operations, especially during intense summers and recurring heat waves — another consequence of climate change.
There is no question that all of the abovementioned factors are proving to be catalysts for increasing farm mechanisation in Pakistan, despite the conflicting opinions expressed by many policymakers, who want mechanisation only to the extent where lost jobs in the agriculture sector (as a consequence of mechanisation) could be balanced out with the new employment opportunities, generated by other sectors of the economy.
However, it is crucial that we not lose sight of the fact that Pakistan is already lagging behind other countries in the region in farm mechanisation and without it, even corporate farming — the recent initiative of the government to attain food security — would remain futile and fruitless.
Finally, Pakistan ranks among the top ten most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. With every passing year, the country is increasingly suffering the consequences of climate change. The slow and gradual approach of mechanisation, which is currently very widely accepted and practised, may hold water in a static environment, but the growing threat of climate change necessitates tailored mechanisation as an adaptation measure in all agricultural operations that are impacted by climate change.
In the evolving scenario, only it can ensure optimum agricultural production and crop yields, with minimum possible food losses, at each stage of the value chain.
ghazi52
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Aug 11, 2023
“From this year to the next, we plan to promote 1.2 million acres of hybrid canola. 500,000 tons of high-quality cooking oil and 1 million tons of high-quality rapeseed meal are expected to be produced, which can generate a revenue of around USD300 million,” said Zhou Xusheng, director of the international business department of Wuhan Qingfa-Hesheng Seed company of China.
At the seminar of National Food Security theming "Green Pakistan Initiative" recently held by Fauji Foundation, Zhou gave a keynote speech entitled Pak-China Cooperation on canola technology to create a healthy oil industry, providing a solution to the shortage of healthy edible oil in Pakistan.
“We wish to cooperate with Pakistan on large modern farming of canola and its downstream industries, it will provide high-quality edible oil and animal feed for national food security. This technology development can reduce 25-30% of import bill and provide millions of jobs in related industries.” Zhou said in the speech.
The company is working on transferring technology to Pakistan to make it efficient in smart agriculture. "We want to transfer the harvesting technology through which the farmers can use some attachments on their harvesters to reduce the wastage." Zhou said, adding that the company will also introduce processing units across Pakistan, through which even in villages people can install them and produce oil.
Wuhan Qingfa-Hesheng has carried out the breeding of hybrid double-low rapeseed varieties in Pakistan since 2009. “There was little progress at the beginning due to the large differences in climate and cultivation between the two countries, so we developed a new breeding mindset to re-create genetic resources according to local climate characteristics and experimental data.
In the end, with the assistance of molecular technology, we successfully bred HC-021C, a new hybrid canola variety with better oil content and quality.” Zhou told us that HC-021C was approved and registered by the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) in 2019, and thus became the first double-low rapeseed variety in the history of Pakistan.
“Due to HC-021C’s excellent performance, Punjab Province provided a planting subsidy of Rs 5,000 per acre to farmers who plant it. Compared with local varieties, the oil content of HC-021C is at least 10% higher, and its yield is 5% higher. It is very popular among the oil processing plants.” Zhou Xusheng said. “The remaining rapeseed meal can be used as high-quality feed additives.
The promotion of HC-021C cultivation can be conducive to edible oil production and poultry sector in Pakistan, and thus improve the food safety of Pakistan.”
Canola seed from China to improve food safety of Pakistan
Saira IqbalAug 11, 2023
“From this year to the next, we plan to promote 1.2 million acres of hybrid canola. 500,000 tons of high-quality cooking oil and 1 million tons of high-quality rapeseed meal are expected to be produced, which can generate a revenue of around USD300 million,” said Zhou Xusheng, director of the international business department of Wuhan Qingfa-Hesheng Seed company of China.
At the seminar of National Food Security theming "Green Pakistan Initiative" recently held by Fauji Foundation, Zhou gave a keynote speech entitled Pak-China Cooperation on canola technology to create a healthy oil industry, providing a solution to the shortage of healthy edible oil in Pakistan.
“We wish to cooperate with Pakistan on large modern farming of canola and its downstream industries, it will provide high-quality edible oil and animal feed for national food security. This technology development can reduce 25-30% of import bill and provide millions of jobs in related industries.” Zhou said in the speech.
The company is working on transferring technology to Pakistan to make it efficient in smart agriculture. "We want to transfer the harvesting technology through which the farmers can use some attachments on their harvesters to reduce the wastage." Zhou said, adding that the company will also introduce processing units across Pakistan, through which even in villages people can install them and produce oil.
Wuhan Qingfa-Hesheng has carried out the breeding of hybrid double-low rapeseed varieties in Pakistan since 2009. “There was little progress at the beginning due to the large differences in climate and cultivation between the two countries, so we developed a new breeding mindset to re-create genetic resources according to local climate characteristics and experimental data.
In the end, with the assistance of molecular technology, we successfully bred HC-021C, a new hybrid canola variety with better oil content and quality.” Zhou told us that HC-021C was approved and registered by the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) in 2019, and thus became the first double-low rapeseed variety in the history of Pakistan.
“Due to HC-021C’s excellent performance, Punjab Province provided a planting subsidy of Rs 5,000 per acre to farmers who plant it. Compared with local varieties, the oil content of HC-021C is at least 10% higher, and its yield is 5% higher. It is very popular among the oil processing plants.” Zhou Xusheng said. “The remaining rapeseed meal can be used as high-quality feed additives.
The promotion of HC-021C cultivation can be conducive to edible oil production and poultry sector in Pakistan, and thus improve the food safety of Pakistan.”
ghazi52
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August 28, 2023
In the face of rapidly changing climatic conditions, the agricultural sector in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, finds itself grappling with a myriad of challenges. With rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and prolonged droughts wreaking havoc, crop yields have been severely impacted, and water availability has become increasingly scarce.
The current scenario presents a substantial threat to the sustenance of food and the means of livelihood. Nevertheless, amidst these overwhelming challenges, there arises a ray of optimism as farmers delve into various techniques and methods to enhance crop water productivity.
Pakistan’s crop water productivity falls behind the global average, with wheat and rice crops exhibiting lower yields per unit of water. The current water productivity of wheat stands at 0.76 kilograms per cubic meter of water, 24 per cent less than the global average of 1kg per cubic meter.
Similarly, the water productivity of rice crops measures 0.45kg per cubic meter, approximately 55pc below the average value for rice in Asia. Nevertheless, farmers are actively seeking ways to tackle these challenges and enhance crop water productivity.
Revolutionising traditional farming techniques is crucial in mitigating the risks posed by climate change. By embracing sustainable and efficient hi-tech irrigation methods like drip irrigation, precision sprinklers, and moisture sensors, farmers can deliver water precisely to the plant roots, minimising wastage and optimising water usage.
In order to sustain agricultural productivity in Sindh, it is crucial to adopt crop varieties that are climate-resilient, drought-tolerant, and heat-resistant. This approach provides a necessary safeguard against the challenging environmental conditions that farmers in the region face. By utilising such crop varieties, farmers can ensure that their crops are better equipped to withstand the adverse effects of climate change, leading to more consistent and reliable yields.
Adopting soil conservation practices, such as zero tillage, mulching, and cover cropping, aids in retaining soil moisture and improving water-holding capacity. Farmers in rice-growing districts of Sindh have already embraced zero tillage techniques for growing wheat crops, effectively reducing soil erosion and enhancing soil health.
Such measures ensure the effective utilisation of available water resources in the face of climate variability. Improved water management techniques are also essential for enhancing crop water productivity.
Using weather forecasts and evapotranspiration data, efficient water scheduling allows farmers to optimise irrigation timing and quantities, ensuring crops receive adequate water without excessive usage.
Furthermore, integrated water resource management, including rainwater harvesting and water storage infrastructure, contributes to water availability during dry spells.
Despite the potential benefits of micro-irrigation systems, including enhanced plant growth, crop yield, quality, and reduced fertiliser and pesticide use, adoption rates in Sindh remain low.
Challenges such as high initial system installation costs, technical expertise requirements, clogging of emitters, water distribution limitations, energy requirements, development of soil salinity patches and difficulty in land tillage have contributed to the hesitancy in adopting these technologies. Addressing the root causes behind this non-adoption is crucial for promoting sustainable practices.
Indigenous irrigation methods, rooted in traditional knowledge and practices passed down through generations, offer alternative approaches. These methods often utilise locally available and affordable materials, reducing the financial burden on farmers.
The furrow irrigation method, for example, can save up to 30pc of irrigation water compared to flood irrigation, and further improvements can raise the savings to 40pc or even 50pc. The raised bed irrigation method optimises water use and improves crop health and yield. By leveraging such indigenous techniques, farmers can enhance irrigation efficiency.
Although Australia has low per capita water availability, even then, about 58pc of the land is irrigated through surface irrigation methods.
Enhancing crop water productivity in Sindh requires collective efforts to adapt to climate change and promote sustainable agriculture.
Minimising water wastage, reducing reliance on unsustainable practices and maximising productivity are key factors in building resilience, securing livelihoods and ensuring regional food security.
Raising awareness among farmers about the impacts of climate change and the importance of sustainable agricultural practices is essential.
Training programmes, workshops, and knowledge-sharing platforms empower farmers with the tools, skills, and knowledge required to adapt effectively to the changing climate.
The journey towards adapting to the effects of climate change and improving crop water productivity demands transformative measures. By embracing innovative techniques, sustainable practices, and suitable technologies, the agricultural sector in Sindh can achieve resilience, ensuring the continuous production of crops while protecting the environment and preserving natural resources.
It is a collective responsibility to forge ahead on this path, safeguarding the future of agriculture in Pakistan.
Agriculture: Enhancing crop water productivity
Dr Altaf Ali SiyaAugust 28, 2023
In the face of rapidly changing climatic conditions, the agricultural sector in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, finds itself grappling with a myriad of challenges. With rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and prolonged droughts wreaking havoc, crop yields have been severely impacted, and water availability has become increasingly scarce.
The current scenario presents a substantial threat to the sustenance of food and the means of livelihood. Nevertheless, amidst these overwhelming challenges, there arises a ray of optimism as farmers delve into various techniques and methods to enhance crop water productivity.
Pakistan’s crop water productivity falls behind the global average, with wheat and rice crops exhibiting lower yields per unit of water. The current water productivity of wheat stands at 0.76 kilograms per cubic meter of water, 24 per cent less than the global average of 1kg per cubic meter.
Similarly, the water productivity of rice crops measures 0.45kg per cubic meter, approximately 55pc below the average value for rice in Asia. Nevertheless, farmers are actively seeking ways to tackle these challenges and enhance crop water productivity.
Revolutionising traditional farming techniques is crucial in mitigating the risks posed by climate change. By embracing sustainable and efficient hi-tech irrigation methods like drip irrigation, precision sprinklers, and moisture sensors, farmers can deliver water precisely to the plant roots, minimising wastage and optimising water usage.
In order to sustain agricultural productivity in Sindh, it is crucial to adopt crop varieties that are climate-resilient, drought-tolerant, and heat-resistant. This approach provides a necessary safeguard against the challenging environmental conditions that farmers in the region face. By utilising such crop varieties, farmers can ensure that their crops are better equipped to withstand the adverse effects of climate change, leading to more consistent and reliable yields.
Adopting soil conservation practices, such as zero tillage, mulching, and cover cropping, aids in retaining soil moisture and improving water-holding capacity. Farmers in rice-growing districts of Sindh have already embraced zero tillage techniques for growing wheat crops, effectively reducing soil erosion and enhancing soil health.
Such measures ensure the effective utilisation of available water resources in the face of climate variability. Improved water management techniques are also essential for enhancing crop water productivity.
Using weather forecasts and evapotranspiration data, efficient water scheduling allows farmers to optimise irrigation timing and quantities, ensuring crops receive adequate water without excessive usage.
Furthermore, integrated water resource management, including rainwater harvesting and water storage infrastructure, contributes to water availability during dry spells.
Despite the potential benefits of micro-irrigation systems, including enhanced plant growth, crop yield, quality, and reduced fertiliser and pesticide use, adoption rates in Sindh remain low.
Challenges such as high initial system installation costs, technical expertise requirements, clogging of emitters, water distribution limitations, energy requirements, development of soil salinity patches and difficulty in land tillage have contributed to the hesitancy in adopting these technologies. Addressing the root causes behind this non-adoption is crucial for promoting sustainable practices.
Indigenous irrigation methods, rooted in traditional knowledge and practices passed down through generations, offer alternative approaches. These methods often utilise locally available and affordable materials, reducing the financial burden on farmers.
The furrow irrigation method, for example, can save up to 30pc of irrigation water compared to flood irrigation, and further improvements can raise the savings to 40pc or even 50pc. The raised bed irrigation method optimises water use and improves crop health and yield. By leveraging such indigenous techniques, farmers can enhance irrigation efficiency.
Although Australia has low per capita water availability, even then, about 58pc of the land is irrigated through surface irrigation methods.
Enhancing crop water productivity in Sindh requires collective efforts to adapt to climate change and promote sustainable agriculture.
Minimising water wastage, reducing reliance on unsustainable practices and maximising productivity are key factors in building resilience, securing livelihoods and ensuring regional food security.
Raising awareness among farmers about the impacts of climate change and the importance of sustainable agricultural practices is essential.
Training programmes, workshops, and knowledge-sharing platforms empower farmers with the tools, skills, and knowledge required to adapt effectively to the changing climate.
The journey towards adapting to the effects of climate change and improving crop water productivity demands transformative measures. By embracing innovative techniques, sustainable practices, and suitable technologies, the agricultural sector in Sindh can achieve resilience, ensuring the continuous production of crops while protecting the environment and preserving natural resources.
It is a collective responsibility to forge ahead on this path, safeguarding the future of agriculture in Pakistan.
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