Pakistan and India trade to be promoted by protecting rights of stakeholders

Trade between Pakistan and India should be promoted by protecting the rights of stakeholders particularly the growers. It was recommended by the roundtable conference titled "improving economic governance in agricultural sector through trade liberalisation between Pakistan and India" arranged at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad.
The recommendation was made by the UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Pro Chancellor Syed Babar Ali, MNA and Parliamentary Secretary Rana Afzal, Farmers Association Pakistan President Tariq Bucha and other progressive farmers were present on the occasion. While informing the audience about recommendations, the Vice Chancellor suggested the identification of the seasonal window for the commodities.
He quoted the examples of potato which has peak season in August and September in India and in Pakistan it has the peak season in October and November. The conference also recommended that trust deficit between the two countries needs to be bridged through dialogue. The strengthening of the domestic production market is also essential to tap the potential of the sector.
The Vice Chancellor said India is the big market of around one billion of the people. He said the trade with the seasonal window would open up new chapter of progress. He also sought the policy interventions in this regard to flourish the sector in Pakistan. He said India is providing the highest subsidy on the electricity. Even in the Indian Punjab, the subsidy on tube wells is amounting to Rs 1trillion. Syed Babar Ali said we need to tap the potential in flourishing the agricultural sector by promoting the state-of-the-art technologies in the country.
He said China has made tremendous work in the garlic. Our country can do the same. We have to get the benefit from others experience. He said 70 percent of the population is directly or indirectly linked to the agricultural sector that must be strengthened. He also suggested setting up entrepreneurship cell at the UAF in order to equip the youth with the skill and to transform the knowledge into goods and services.
MNA Rana Afzal said the Government is making all-out efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector in the country. He said the recommendations to be made before the government. He said agriculture is the backbone of our economy, contributing 21 percent in the Gross Domestic Product. Tariq Bucha urged the government to take the tangible steps to address the issues of the farming community. He said at least ten percent of the budget must be allocated for the agricultural sector. He said in the process of trade policy formulation, the farmers must be taken on board. ORIC Director Professor Dr Asif Ali, Dr Abdul Ghafoor, Dr Waseem Ahmad, Dr Mubashair Mehdi, Director Ayub Agriculture Research Institute Dr Abid Mehmood, Aiwan-e-Zarat President Dr Sadique Naseem and others also attended the meeting.

Source: Business Recorder

GMO challenges: Ministry asked to call crucial meeting

The Federal Law Ministry has finally given a ruling, asking Climate Change Ministry to convene a meeting of National Bio-Safety Committee for granting approval to the long-awaited 15 Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) of cotton varieties for commercialisation, sources revealed.

Well-placed sources revealed to Business Recorder that Textile division had approached Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after the reportedly delaying tactics by the Climate Change Ministry for convening a meeting of NBC.

Prime Minister on January 16, 2014 constituted a committee comprising Secretary Textile division, Secretary Law and Secretary Climate Change and directed them to hold a meeting within 10 days for resolving the issue. The committee met last week and Law division gave a ruling asking for convening a meeting of NBC to grant approval for commercialisation of cotton seeds, sources maintained.

Certified cotton seed was becoming a serious issue as no BT certified cotton seed would be available for cultivation for the upcoming crop season due to non-approval of GMO cotton varieties by NBC which might encourage the seed-mafia, besides negatively impacting commodity production, official maintained.

Official sources revealed that Pakistan being a signatory to the international Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety had to regulate GMO through establishing a Bio-safety system in the country. NBC and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PEPA) have responsibility to evaluate, regulate and monitor GMO for lab or field research and their commercial scale production or marketing in the country.

The NBC had not held its meeting since February 2011, which had delayed the regulatory process required to test and approve GMOs crops, said sources, adding that applications submitted by various public and private sectors organisations seeking approval of different GMO crops were yet to be reviewed by the NBC.

Currently only transgenic crop commercially cultivated in Pakistan is cotton and eight BT varieties and one cotton Hybrid were approved by Punjab Seed Council (PSC) in April 2010 and commercialisation certificate was granted by NBC. In February 2012, PSC provisionally approved eight BT varieties (Tarzen-1, MNH-886, NS-141, FH-114, IR-NIBGE-3, CIM-598, Sitara-009, A-One) subject to the grant of commercialisation certificate from the NBC and TAC had to clear cases before consideration in NBC, sources maintained.

BT cotton varieties in Pakistan, which were granted certificate for three years (now expired) included IR-3701, Neelum-121, FH-113, Sitara-008, MG-6, Ali Akbar-703, Ali Akbar 802, IR-1524 and GN Hybrid-2085. BT cotton varieties waiting for commercialisation certificate included Tarzen-1, VH-259, MNH-886, BH-178, NS-141, CIM-599, FH-114, CIM-602, IR-NIBGE-3, FH-118, CIM-598, FH-142, Sitara 009, IR-NIBGE-824, A-One IUB-222, Sayaban-201, Sitara-11M, A-555, KZ-181, Tarzan-2 and CA-12.

Source: Business Recorder

Pakistan among top Asian states in illicit tobacco consumption

Pakistan is among top Asian countries in the consumption of illicit tobacco with highest number of 21.8 billion illicit cigarettes consumed in the country annually. Referring to a 'Asia-11 Illicit Tobacco Indicator 2012' study by Oxford Economics, experts said on Monday that the figures and data has been mentioned in the said study.
In the reporting year, the domestic illicit use was 18.8 billion cigarettes, whereas the non-domestic consumption of illicit cigarettes stands at 3 billion, which is much lower than the domestic use. The non-duty paid cigarettes contribute to rise in tobacco consumption by making cigarettes cheaper and more accessible. This makes it more attractive, especially to people who are price sensitive, such as youth and the poor. It also allows cigarettes to be sold as singles instead of packs, or from non-regulated outlets that make it more accessible to youth.
On the other hand the study indicates that the countries with a sharp rise in taxes on legal tobacco brands than the countries with low taxes have the high ratio of illicit consumption.
Heavy taxation on the legal tobacco brands (high tax paying industry) is ultimately promoting the illicit tobacco industry thus allowing criminals and opportunists to get a chance to sell their counterfeit products on cheap rates, which attracts the customers with low purchasing power.
The main factors contributing to the problem include an unbalanced fiscal policy, heavy taxation, protectionist policy measures, corruption, weak enforcement, lack of official controls in free zones, inadequate legislation and sanctions, growth in illegal distribution networks and public tolerance of the illicit trade in tobacco products.
According to the Oxford Economics study, due to illicit tobacco trade, Pakistan loses tax revenues of over Rs 27 billion per year.
Recently, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has initiated an advertisement campaign in the media to create awareness about the illegal and smuggled tobacco brands. It is an encouraging effort but the FBR should focus more on developing a comprehensive enforcement strategy to curb illegal tobacco trade, they said.
The sale and purchase of smuggled Pine and other smuggled packs including Esse, Mild 88, More, Camel and Sense are illegal and attract penalties of confiscation of cigarettes, fine of up to Rs 50, 000, recovery equal to 500 per cent of unpaid taxes and imprisonment up to five years. The FBR's agency has launched many similar campaigns against illicit cigarette brands, especially against Pine, which is in high demand amongst Pakistani smokers because it is an imported brand easily available at below the minimum price set by the FBR at Rs 34 for a pack of 20.'Cricket' is a recent example of a duty-evading cigarette brand that is being sold at Rs 12. This also raises the question how the brand was being sold even below the minimum excise duty, which stands at Rs 17.6 per pack and should be payable to the national exchequer.
If the government is serious in curbing this illegitimate business, it needs to develop comprehensive anti-illicit trade policies and pay particular attention to the involvement of all relevant government agencies like Customs, Ministries of Finance, Health, Justice and Trade, to ensure alignment and commitment to achieving the same goals, they added.

News Source     I News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team

Rice: Argentina, Chile want to import rice from Pakistan

Buyers from Argentina and Chile have shown keen interest to import Pakistani rice because of its best quality. A foreign delegation of buyers visited the regional office of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) along with Rabia Javeri Agha, Secretary Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on Thursday.
"We have visited many Rice industries in Karachi and we are satisfied with the quality of rice and the modern technology established in the industries. We are going to import Pakistani rice in near future," said Mariano Senesi, a member of delegation. The delegation was comprised Mariano Senesi M/s Agrosud Argentina, Enrique Bruzzone Copello M/s. CV Trading Chile, Enrique Bruzzone Caste M/S CV Trading Chile. Representatives of SGS Pakistan, Beauro Veritas, and Intertek Pakistan were also present.
On this occasion, Rabia Javeri Agha said, "It is the primary objective of TDAP to facilitate the exporters and resolve the issue. I would address all issues being faced by the rice exporters association and would step up efforts to enhance the export with other nations."
Senior Vice-Chairman Reap, Chela Ram, said they were delighted to have Secretary TDAP first time at their office and hope she would further cooperate with them and would pave the ways for a smooth export.
He further said he was also happy over the providence of quality rice for the buyers across the world, adding that China has become the largest importer of Pakistani rice in last two years.
"We have beaten our competitors including India, Thailand and Vietnam and captured Chinese market in last couple of years," he added.
Regarding the decline in export of Pakistani basmati rice in last few years, he said the price of Pakistani basmati was higher as compared to the competitors due to which the volume of exports came down. It all happened due the poor law and order situation of the country, he added. He urged the government to ensure proper electricity and gas supply to the farmers so that the exports volume could be increased. He said if the present government restore peace and provide energy to this sector that they would cross $4 billion mark in 2016.
Abdul Rahim, ex-chairman Reap, urged the government to take appropriate measures and encourage formers to adopt latest technology to increase rice production so that the sector could earn maximum foreign exchanges for the country.

News Source: Business Recorder  News Collected: agrinfobank.com  Team

Wheat: Sowing methods in Pakistan

Wheat is the largest grown grain crop and main staple food in Pakistan. It is cultivated on slightly more than 9 million hectares with average yield 2600kg/hec. However, progressive farmers are able to get up to 5000kg/hec. Various types of constraints are responsible for the low yield. It can mainly be attributed to poor quality of seed , broad cast method of sowing, late sowing, lack of irrigation water.

Wheat is sown by four methods:

1. Broadcasting: In this method the seeds are broadcast and then worked in by harrowing in order to cover them. However, the seeds are not uniformly distributed in the field. This method of sowing is very insufficient and should not be encouraged. Germination of broadcast seeds is relatively poor and the plant stand is often irregular. Wastage of seed also results because most of the seed is left on the surface where they can not germinate and may, therefore, be picked up and eaten by birds.

2. Behind Local Plough: A majority of farmers uses this method. This method consists of dropping the seeds by hand into the furrows that have been opened with local plough. When seed is dropped in furrows by hand, it is called 'kera' method and when it is dropped through a Pora or Nai or Hazara a special attachment with local plough it is called 'Pora' method. In this method seeds are dropped of at a depth of 5-6 centimeters and germination is satisfactory.

3. Drilling: In this method seed is sown by seed drill or ferti-seed drill. With the help of this implement seed drop at depth and results in uniform germination and regular stand. Seed bed should be fine and well leveled free from clods and weeds for the use of seed drill or ferti-seed drill. Seed drills are easily available in the market. They may be either bullock driven or tractor driven. Ferti-seed drill should be used wherever possible to ensure uniform depth of sowing, proper placement of fertilizers and good germination.

4. Dibbling: This method is used in case where supply of seed is limited. Sowing is done with the help of a small implement known as 'Dibbler'. It is a wooden or iron frame with pegs. The frame is pressed in the field and lifted and then one or two seeds are dropped by hand in each of the hole. It is not a common method because it is a very time consuming process.

5. Zero tillage technique: This new method is used in Rice-Wheat cropping system where showing of wheat is delayed beyond 25 November. Sowing is delayed due to multiple reasons, viz. preparation of field, uncertain rainfall and rice harvesting with traditional method. Out of these, the field preparation is one of the most important reasons, which causes delay in wheat sowing. Puddling in transplanted rice creates a hard pan in the field. After harvesting of rice crop , field requires at least 6-8 tillage operations in ploughing and harrowing for sowing of wheat, in which generally 10-15 days are required for proper field preparation. Yield of wheat decreases at the rate of 30 kg per hectare per day after 25 November sowing.

A Zero-till-ferti-seed-drill machine has been developed at G.B.Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar by which direct sowing of wheat is done in Rice field without ploughing. This helps advancing the sowing of wheat as the time required for field preparation is saved. Zero-tillage can be adopted with following preparations.

• At the time of sowing there should be proper moisture in the field.
• Rice should be harvested near the ground and the left over stubble should not be more than 15 cm in height and field should be free from weeds.
• At the time of sowing the seed-drill should be lifted up or lower down very slowly to avoid clocking of furrow opener by soil, otherwise seeds and fertilizer will not drill in the furrow.
• Seed should be treated with vitavax or Bavistin at the rate of 2.5 g/kg of wheat seed. Seed rate should be 140-150 kg/ha (20-25% higher).
• Sowing depth should be maintained about 5-6 cm.
• Light planker may be used behind the zero-tillage machine.
• After sowing by Zero-till-seed-drill, other package of practices remain the same as in other methods.

The Zero-till-ferti-seed-drill has knife type lines in place of shovel type and is suitable for sowing under Zero-tillage conditions as well as conventional field preparation. The lines are fitted at a distance of 20 centimeters and have a provision to shift by 2.5 centimeters on either side. The machine is fitted with 2 boxes, one for seed and the other one for the fertilizer. On each box, lever is provided along with locking bolts and marking to get known quantity per hectare. Seedling depth can be manipulated by adjusting two side depth wheels with the help of screw bolts. Front driving wheel is provided with a groove to adjust as per requirement. A wooden platform is provided to keep a man to monitor the chocking of seed and fertilizer tube. Zero-tillage machines are provided with two lower link pins and a lift patti to attach the machine with tractor.

Sources:

1. http://www.bayercropscience.com.pk
2. http://agropedia.iitk.ac.in

Millat Tractors: vendors' conference today

Millat has been the pioneer in indigenization and has played a major role in setting up of the automotive vending industry base in the country. Millat Tractor has achieved the highest level of localisation than any other OEM in Pakistan. This has been possible by embracing cost effective techniques for low volume production resulting in major foreign exchange savings. In order to develop a strategy to cope with the current world-wide recession and future scenarios of liberalised trade and stiff international competition, Millat is holding the 12th vendors' conference of its vending associate base of more than 200 companies on 5th December, 2013 at Faletti's Hotel, Lahore. The theme of the conference is 'Global Competitiveness'.-PR

News Source: Business Recorder      News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team

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Reap presents bio-diesel plan to federal minister: Jatropha cultivation urged

Renewable and alternative Energy Association of Pakistan (Reap) hands over a five-year bio-diesel plan to Federal Minister for Planning Chaudhry Ahsan Iqbal in National Advisory Council meeting and suggested to bring four million acres of barren land under Jatropha crop in Pakistan to meet the domestic requirement of Diesel.
Rana Tauseef Iqbal told media men here Monday that government should announce a scheme with incentives for the promotion of Jatropha cultivation and allot the barren state land on 99 years' lease for this purpose besides providing well-germinated certified seed through concerned agency.Banks should provide maximum loans for this purpose on soft terms and conditions and there should be no tax on bio-diesel for 10 years and Pakistan Railways, highways, irrigation department and forest department should plant the saplings of Jatropha, he added.
He further suggested that Ogra should fix the price of bio-diesel on regular basis. He said that experimental cultivation of bio-diesel feedstock on scientific basis had also been started.
The cultivation has now risen from around two acres in 2005 to more than 500 acres in South Punjab alone. This surge in Jatropha cultivation is mainly based on aggressive campaign undertaken by Reap as well as AEDB. A number of institutions imported Jatropha seeds for germination from variety of sources and countries.
They have been growing such nurseries at various sites in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan. Realising the importance of Bio-diesel, AEDB outlined National bio-diesel Programme and decided to assist and facilitate the stakeholders involved for this purpose. AEDB formulated Policy Recommendations for use of Bio-diesel as an alternative fuel which is primarily aimed at reducing the country's fuel import bill.
The Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Federal Cabinet has approved the Policy Recommendations for use of bio-diesel as an alternative fuel in 2008 but no practical step is taken for enhancing its production. The Federal Government assigned AEDB the target of gradual introduction of bio-diesel fuel blends with petroleum diesel so as to achieve a minimum share of five percent by volume of the total diesel consumption in the country by the year 2015 and 10 percent by 2025.

News Source Business Recorder   News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team

Iranian ban on Pakistani kinnow may inflict $40 million loss

The ban imposed by Iran on the import of Pakistani Kinnow two years back, if not lifted immediately, may inflict a loss of $40 million in terms of revenue, according to All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) spokesman, Waheed Ahmed. Prior to the closure of Iranian market, Pakistan used to export 70 to 80 thousand tons of Kinnow to that country every year.
About the ban imposed by Russia on the import of fruits and vegetable from Pakistan, he said, hopefully it would be lifted by December 10. Negotiations in this regard are in advanced stage both at government and PFVA level and a decision in favour of Pakistan is likely to be taken soon, he added.
Pakistan exported 80 to 90 thousand tons of Kinnow worth around 56 million dollars until last year when suddenly Russian government announced a ban a few months back on the ground that the fruit did not meet the sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements. A Russian delegation is likely to visit Pakistan in January next to examine as to how far quarantine requirements are being adhered to here so that export of 'Aaloo' from Pakistan could be allowed. The country could fetch a handsome amount of foreign exchange in case exports of 'Aaloo' are allowed by Russia, he said.
Waheed Ahmed said that PFVA has set 300,000 tones export target for Kinnow this year. The association had exported at least 235,000 tones Kinnow worth $140 million last year against the fixed target of 200,000 tones. He said that export of Kinnow will start by December 1. Production of the fruit is expected to be 2,100,000 tones this year against the previous figure of 1,800,000 tones. However the crop is likely to be damaged in some areas which may slightly affect the overall production.
Increase in the target by 100,000 tones this year has been estimated mainly because of an expected jump in exports to Russia and Indonesia. The export figure of 300,000 tonnes may even be crossed if the Iranian market is tapped followed by an expected relaxation in banking process after the improving relations between Iran and the US. He said that Pakistan would earn at least $180 million revenue if the targeted export of 300,000 tones Kinnow is met this year.
On the other hand, Waheed feared, the cost of exports is expected to increase by 15 to 20 percent due to hike in petroleum prices, impacting on the cost of transportation, logistic, packaging, labour and products. This would also create a stiff competition with rival countries producing the same fruit, in the international market. It was encouraging; he said that after signing preferential trade agreement with Indonesia, exports are expected to take a jump this year as it is a market of 40,000 tones after Russia and Iran.
Waheed has however linked the export target with favourable law and order situation in the country and close co-operation among exporters, shipping companies, quarantine department, customs and other concerned government organisations. Exports had suffered huge losses due to long strikes of goods transporters.

News Source: Business Recorder    News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team

Prime Minister urged to save 'sinking' tractor industry

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should take measures to save the sinking Tractor Industry otherwise it would have serious repercussion. Pakistan will have to import tractors against precious foreign exchange besides rendering thousands of workers as well as vendors jobless, said Khawaja Muhammad Usman President of Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry in a press statement issued on Friday.
He said that Pakistan is going to face severe food crises in the coming years due some reasons. The tractor indigenous industry plays vital role in uplifting of agriculture sector and provide job opportunities to millions. Over 90 per cent parts of tractors are produced in the country.
In the year 2010-11 Pakistan produced and sold over 75,000 tractors meeting 100 per cent requirement. It is to be noted that Pakistan is the cheapest tractor manufacturer in the world. Now government has imposed 17 per cent sales tax, which badly hit the tractor industry.
On the hue and cry of the Tractor Industry, the government decided to redress the grievances and it planned to implement ST in three stages ie, 5 per cent first year and 5 per cent in second year and 7 per cent in December 2013.
There is loss of production from 75,000 tractors two years before to 30,000 tractors this year. The Tractors indigenous industries have gone to standstill and more than 60 per cent reduction in employment due to no demand from tractor assemblers since July 2013.
It is said that currently the impact of 10 per cent GST translates into an increase in tractor prices from Rs60,000 to Rs100,000, which has significantly hampered the farm mechanisation and affected the production of tractors as well as farm machinery. It is warned that the impact would be further aggravated in January 2014 as the GST will increase from 10 per cent to 17 per cent resulting into further drop of 40,000 per annum tractor sales and yields of crops threatening food insecurity is and social upheavals.
He said that Pakistan is already having low acreage and per acre horse power (HP) is 0.6 /per acre HP of India is 1.01/ per acre China HP is 1.57/ Japan per acre HP is 2.834. To meet the level of India, we need addition of one lac tractors per year for 8 years.
Whereas sugar cane yield is 40 per cent lower, wheat & cotton yields are 20 per cent lower, basmati rice is 40 per cent lower and milk yield per animal is 80 per cent lower against the global benchmark.

News Source: Business Recorder    News Collected: Agriculture Information Bank Team

PARC promoting cultivation of olive, pomegranate in FATA

Around 165 acres of olive plantation has been made in different areas of Federally Administrated Territory Area (FATA). One nursery has been established and 7,000 cuttings have been planted in the nursery.
Dr Iftikhar Ahmad Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) said pomegranate was also being planted in the area to increase the farmer income. 400 plants of pomegranate have been planted.
He emphasised that there was need to introduce Arabic olive plantation (olive along with fig, pistachio and pomegranate etc) in the area which would not only increase the income of farmers but also it might result to eliminate poppy cultivation. Alternative high value crops like olive fig pistachio and pomegranate can make a revolution in the area and play a role in poverty alleviation.
He said development of certified nurseries using sterilised compost and according to international standards was essential to meet the local requirements of quality olive plants.
Rehmat Jaan Director SPDP FATA presented the current status of olive planted under the olive promotion project in FATA. He said too get rid of load shedding and for sustainable source of irrigation tube-wells with solar power has been installed.
Members of National Assembly from FATA Malik Nazir and Ghalib Khan Wazir also attending the meeting were very much interested in development of FATA in agriculture sector.
They said they would lead for agriculture development especially for olive, pomegranate pistachio, walnut and fig cultivation, development of cottage industry and value addition of agricultural products in the FATA areas.
Dr Muhammad Munir acting member PSD PARC and olive expert said PARC was providing every type of assistance for the development of FATA in agriculture sector.
Dr Nasir Mahmood Cheema DPD (Olive) said MNAs of FATA were spokesmen of PARC in tribal areas and olive cultivation would result in terrorism reduction as more income from olive and other fruit plants would divert the attention of people towards agriculture expansion and they would have no time for any other anti activity.

News Source: Daily Times    News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team

Provinces uninterested in raising wheat support price

The delay in announcement of wheat support price would create serious crisis as it would decrease area under wheat cultivation that would ultimately lead to food crisis, said members of National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research (NFS&R) on Thursday. They said that delayed announcement of wheat support price would badly affect production in the next season and the government had to import wheat to meet the domestic demand.
The meeting presided over by Chairman Malik Shakir Bashir Awan was attended by MNA Muhammad Safdar, Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad, Chaudhry Iftikhar Nazir, Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan, Syed Iftikhar Hussain, Pir Shafqat Hussain Jilani, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi, Junaid Akbar, Shahida Akhtar Ali, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research (NFS&R), Sikandar Hayyat Khan Bosan, Iftikhar Ahmad Rao, additional secretary (NFS&R) and other senior officials.
Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan told the committee that he endorsed the support price should have been announced two months ago, but provinces were not interested in increasing the support price. "We have consulted provinces in this regard and some provinces have given their response which shows that they are not interested in increasing support price of wheat," he said.
The committee directed NFS&R to ensure the presence of provincial secretaries of Agriculture during the next meeting which would be held soon to fix wheat support price to avoid further delay in this regard.
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi said that the cultivation of wheat had started while the wheat support prices had not yet been announced. He said that the delay in the announcement of wheat support price would badly discourage the crop's cultivation.
He said that after devolution of Ministry of Food and Agriculture the leading role of agriculture policy making had been shifted from the federal government to provinces, but unfortunately provinces had no capacity in this regard due to which food security was under threat. He said that the provincial governments supposed to look after this critical sector, had not given the requisite funds. This was alarming and showed the lack of priority given to this important sector, he said. Some functions of the Ministry, Shah Mahmood said, had been transferred to the provinces, while some functions had been distributed among 4 federal ministries resulting in utter confusion and inaction, he said.
He said that after devolution of the MFS&R, the meeting of this committee would be useless without provincial representatives.
Shah Mahmood also raised the issue of the phutti price (seed cotton). He conveyed the sentiments of the growers of southern Punjab and Sindh on the irrationally low price of phutti and expressed disappointment with the government. Farmers were getting Rs.2800-2900 per 40 kg, which was the same they got last year, whereas the dollar had shot up to almost Rs 110, he observed.
"So the farmer is even being deprived of the benefit of the exchange rate at the hands of a small but powerful lobby," he further said.
He said that Pakistan had the installed capacity to produce enough urea to meet national requirements, but because of myopic government policies and non-availability of gas to fertiliser plants, Pakistan was to import urea fertiliser when depleting foreign exchange reserves was a major issue.
Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan also said that delay in announcement of wheat support price would badly affect small farmers in the country as the input cost had increased to a great extent. He said that due to lack of water reservoir, the country could face acute shortage of water during the next five to seven years, which would hamper the country's agriculture production. There was a dire need to set up water reservoirs in the country to avert water shortage in future, he said.
He said, "We need to facilitate researchers as we do not need atom bomb we need food for our children."
Chaudhry Nazeer Ahmad said that India had given subsidy to farmers due to which our farmers unable to compete them. "When some crops produced in good quantity in India, the formers sent them to Pakistani market, however Pakistani formers are not allow to do so," he said, adding "We need to form laws like India to protect the interest of our farmers."
Sikandar Bosan said that the development budget of the Ministry of Agriculture, which was Rs.25 billion at the time of devolution, had shrunk to Rs. 0.75 billion presently.

News Source: Business Recorder  News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team

July-October, 2013-14: import of agriculture machinery, tools fall 61 percent

According to official figures, Pakistan's import of agriculture machinery and implements fell 61 percent to $20.122 million during July-October period of the current fiscal year. According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) report, import of agriculture machinery and implements showed a decline of $31.115 million during the first five months of the current fiscal year as compared the machinery import of $51.237 million in the same period of last fiscal year. However, import of construction and mining machinery grew by $84.398 million or just over 90 percent to $144.140 million in the first five months as compared to the machinery import of $59.742 million in the same period of last year.
On the other hand, import of textile machinery went up by $20.28 million over 15 percent to $153.793 million in July-Oct, 2013-14 as compared to the machinery import of $133.513 million in the same period of 2012-13. Import of other machinery posted a $13.673 million or 3 percent rise to $483.539 million in July-Oct, 2013-14 as compared to the machinery import of $469.866 million in same period of last year.

News Source: Business Recorder  News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team

Pakistan needs 50 percent more agriculture production by 2025

Investment in agriculture sector not only ensures food security of any country but also help to produce a healthy nation besides promoting rule of law in the society. Farming is just not a profession but an effort to save 194 million people of Pakistan from hunger. Keeping in view the population growth, Pakistan needs 50 percent more agricultural production by 2025 and it can only be done by strengthening the agricultural sector and promoting good agricultural practices for maximum per acre yield. These views were expressed by Chief Executive Officer Auriga Group, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema while addressing the annual dealers' conference here on Tuesday. Jamshed, who also heads the Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Association (PASA), threw light on different factors which can contribute to a better agricultural production.
He regretted that Pakistan which is attributed as basically agricultural country lacks in provision of sufficient food and it is in the ranks of those countries which have low grains per capita for its citizens.
He also said that Pakistan at present has only 1000 cusecs per capita water availability and it is being forecast that it would reduce to 575 cusecs per capita in 2050. 'Pakistan is facing acute water shortage and water is basic ingredient to promote agricultural production,' Jamshed Cheema added.
Cheema said Pakistan's 27 percent land is populated by the people so there is no dearth of land for increasing agricultural production but we had to promote balanced use of fertilisers and pesticides and certified seeds. He said his company's vision for the next year is to become the most socially responsible, efficient, technologically advanced, environmental friendly and customer support company in the agriculture sector. He disclosed that his company would launch 32 different pesticide products during next year.

Source: http://www.brecorder.com

Seminar on Peace through Dam: 'KBD has potential to wipe out rural poverty'

Kalabagh Dam (KBD) has the capacity to wipe out loadshedding and increase industrial output by $5-6 billion a year, while its contribution to value addition in agricultural output could go up to $10 billion a year. The dam has also potential to single-handedly wipe out rural poverty in Pakistan. Every province stands to benefit from this project.
This was the crux of the speeches delivered at a seminar on Peace through Dam jointly organised by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Sindh Taas Water Council here at LCCI on Saturday. Former chief minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shamsul Mulk, former federal finance minister Dr Salman Shah, LCCI President Engineer Suhail Lashari, Chairman Sindh Taas Water Council Muhammad Salman Khan, Dr Ibrahim Mughal, Advocate A K Dogar, Colonel Abdul Razzaq Bugti from Sindh, Major Saddique Rehan (Retd), President Pakistan Engineering Congress Engineer Riaz Ahmad Khan, Engineer Muhammad Ayub Kakar from Balochistan, Nazar Hussain Dareshik, Faqir Muhammad Amin Khan, Prof Syed Nisar Safdar, Captain Syed Khalid Sajjad (Retd), Professor Dr Engineer Zahid Ahmad Siddique, Aziz Zafar Azad and Neweera Babar and Chairman STWC Engineer Saeed Iqbal Bhatti expressed their views on the subject of vital national importance. The speakers said that Kalabagh Dam could produce up to 15 billion units of power every year at an average cost of Rs 3 to 5 /kwh in next five years. The annual cost will be around Rs 22 billion. This cheap power will annually displace costly power worth approximately Rs 300 billion with consequential savings of costly oil imports. This saving alone would enough to done away with current account deficit, boost reserves and strengthen the rupee, they added.
Engineer Shamsul Mulk said that he had been talking on the issue for a long time now but unfortunately neither any politician nor any government gave due attention towards this problem, which has now put the very survival of the country at stake. He said the dam is absolutely essential to irrigate 800,000 acres of cultivable land that is located 100-150 feet above the Indus river level in NWFP.
He said this land could only be brought under cultivation if the river level is raised that is only possible if Kalabagh Dam is built. He said the other alternative is to pump the water, which is very costly. The creditable studies have indicated that pumping water for potential cultivable land would cost farmers Rs 5,000 per acre per year while canal water after construction of Kalabagh Dam would cost only Rs 400 per acre per year.
Dr Salman Shah said that the KBD is the only project in Pakistan that can make power affordable for the masses in a short period of five years. It is also the only project that can make the economy competitive and sustainable without the crutches of bailouts and loss of sovereignty.
Over the years, Sindh's irrigation network has stagnated. The marvellous north-south Nara irrigation canal system that emanates from the Sukkur Barrage irrigates 2.5 million acres of land. The Kotri Barrage was constructed in 1955 with a command area of three million acres, while the Guddu Barrage was completed in 1962 and irrigates around 2.9 million acres of land. The additional water made available by the Mangla and Tarbela dams was channeled through these barrages to the water-rich districts of Sindh.
The water-starved districts of the east, however, were ignored. The future prosperity of eastern Sindh is now certainly closely linked to water storage from the construction of the Kalabagh dam. This epic mega project can transform the rural economy of Sindh, generate large-scale employment, huge agricultural surpluses and quickly wipe out rural poverty. Its benefits can set rural Sindh's economy on a continuous high growth path.
LCCI President Suhail urged the government to focus on construction of water reservoirs in the country. He said that country had already suffered a huge financial loss due to unavailability of electricity, gas but it is very unfortunate that Kalabagh Dam had been labelled as a political issue. It is not a political issue at all it is an economic issue and merits priority keeping in view the economic conditions.
The LCCI President said that Balochistan and Sindh would be the biggest beneficiary of Kalabagh Dam. He said that the country's economic well being is directly linked to the construction of water reservoirs therefore the government should take practical measures for early construction of Kalabagh Dam.
Counting benefit of this dam, Dr Ibrahim Mughal said that it would help bringing additional two million acres of land under irrigation in Sindh, Badin, Thatta and other districts while 800,000 acres of land in Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu in KP. It would also help irrigation of 700,000 acres of land in Balochistan and also provide essential water to Punjab. He said this dam would generate 3,600 mega watt cheaper electricity and electricity consumers would get over Rs 133 billion relief in the bills and it would also help ending loadshedding from the country.

Source: Business Recorder

Top 10 Insect Pests of Cotton in Pakistan

Insects represent a widely studied group of arthropods having diversity in their habitat and life forms. Adaptation of insects may be directly correlated with the successful evolution history. Scientists are working day and night to find the successful adaptation of insects to their environment. The plants on which insect feeds are called as host plants. Some insects are monophagous and feed on one plant species. Others are called as polyphagous and are having a diverse range of feeding and living. Although the pest management techniques are still proving to be reasonable to some extent but the insects are coming up with an ever increasing resistance mechanism that are supporting their life forms as well as strengthening their next generations.

Cotton serves as a perfect host for variety of insects. Cotton is widely grown in South Asia mainly due to the perfect atmospheric and topographic features. Insect pests of cotton in Pakistan represent the greatest diversity in the whole region. More than 1300 species of insects are found attacking on Cotton crop and more than 93 insects and mites are found damaging for the cotton crop in Pakistan.

10. Whitefly

Bemisia tabaci is said to be the most notorious pest of American cotton mainly due to its ability to transmit the CLCV also called as the Cotton Leaf Curl Virus. Mainly this insect pest damages the cotton crop in four ways. It sucks the cell sap and results in loss of vigor. It also injects the toxic saliva that results in a great damage to the cotton leaves. It sucks the cell sap and secretes the honey dew that invites the infestation of sooty mould. Sickly black appearance of the plant results in less absorption of sunlight and the photosynthesis process is adversely affected in one way or the other. Transmission of CLCV is one of the most important damage of cotton whitefly.

9. Jassid

Amrasca biguttula is one of the most damaging pests of cotton crop in Pakistan. Damage of Cotton Jassid is very different as compared to that of other insect pests of cotton. Cup formation of leaves is observed in the peak of its attack. It also secretes the toxic secretions that are passed along with the saliva and the plant metabolism gets a greater shock due to the very presence of this particular insect pest of cotton. It also disturbs the boll formation as the boll formation is reduced after the attack of Jassid. It also affects the ladyfinger crop and also causes a greater damage to the winter vegetables which serves as an alternate source of food when the cotton season is not in progress.

8. Thrips

Thrips tabaci is one of the most threatening pests of cotton, onion and garlic. The rasping sucking mouth parts of this insect damages the vegetative as well as the reproductive parts of many crops. In cotton the attack of thrips is greatly observed on the flowers and leaves where it congregates near the base of flowers or the leaves. Most of the farmers get the confusion in determining the attack of thrips. The mode of damage is different as compared to other insect pests of cotton. Crumpled and silvery appearance of leaves is the main sign of the thrips attack on American cotton. Insect Pest Management should be well directed in order to control the sucking as well as the chewing insect pests of cotton crop. In many countries like USA thrips is considered to be the vector of many viruses like the streak virus of peas and yellow spot of pineapple.

7. Mealy Bug

Phenococcus gossypiphilous was first reported in 2005 in Pakistan and in 2006-07 it affected the whole cotton belt of Pakistan. Life cycle of mealy bug is very rapid and it feeds on almost all kind of vegetables and flowers mainly due to the polyphagous habit. It damages the cotton crop by sucking the cell sap and decreasing the plant vigor. It also secretes some toxic saliva secretions that inhibit the growth and disturbs plant metabolism. Sometimes it can also secrete the cottony wax and when the attack exceeds the threshold level honey dew also increases in percentage and so is the sooty mold. Chemical control is not the only solution because the biological control of mealy bug served to control most of the pest population in the Cotton belts of Pakistan. IPM of any insect should focus on all the possible methods and techniques to ensure the discouragement of pest populations in a particular habitat or area.

6. Dusky Cotton Bug

Oxycarenus laetus was considered to be the minor pest of Cotton but now it is going to become the possible threat to the early and late cotton crop in Pakistan. Sucking behavior of this insect disturbs the cotton crop at early as well as the late stages. It sucks the sap from the reproductive parts of plants and it can also deteriorate the seed quality. Besides damaging the seeds and the reproductive parts it also deteriorates the lint quality resulting in poor ginning of cotton fibers. It gives the staining to the lint and the lint of low quality gets the lower price in market. It is found on cotton, ladyfinger and other malvaceous plants.

5. Army Worm

Spodoptera litura is counted among the major insect pests of cotton crop in Pakistan. It damages the crop due to its chewing behavior. Mode of damage of armyworm is different as compared to that of other insect pests of cotton. Most important sign of its attack is the damaged leaves that are in the form of empty areas. It feeds the leaves in between the veins and the veinlets. Skeleton of the leaves dries up due to the inactivation of photosynthetic processes. This result in the loss of vigor of plant and the quality of boll is affected. Attacked fields have lower yield of bolls as compared to that of the healthy fields. IPM practices are there as there are many types of biological as well as cultural control methods of this insect. If none of the control methods seem to be working then chemical control is perhaps the last and considered to be most effective option for the control of insect pests of cotton. It is not a problem in BT Cotton.

4. American Boll Worm

Helicoverpa armigera is also called as the American bollworm and it is an important pest of chickpea and American Cotton. It is a polyphagous insect and is considered to damage a range of vegetable and other crops in Pakistan as well as other countries of South Asia. When it attacks the early stages it hollows the squares from inside and the damaged squares fall on the ground. It directly affects the cotton crop and results in lower yields. When the boll is mature it makes a prominent hole on the boll and results in the damage of the crop. The damage of American Bollworm is not observed in a uniform behavior rather it attacks in patches and affects the crop in patch. It shifts from one boll to another and damages dozens of bolls during life time. Biological control of this insect is the best option but in harsh conditions when biological control is not effective, chemical control serves as the only option for the control of American bollworm. It is not a problem in BT Cotton.

3. Spotted Boll Worm

Earias insulana is also called as the spotted bollworm of cotton. It damages many parts of cotton crop and most of the times it is found boring in the reproductive as well as the vegetative parts of cotton. Despite of its lower attack it is a threat to the cotton in the early season. Premature opening of cotton boll is said to be the most important indication of the attack of spotted bollworm. It deteriorates the lint quality and results in lesser profits. It is not a problem in BT Cotton.

2. Pink Boll Worm

Pectinophora gossypiella is one of the most destructive pests of cotton crop in Pakistan. It attacks the flowering stage when the female lays eggs on the base of flower. The larvae make a very small hole and move inside the flower. The affected boll fails to open or it opens in a very awkward fashion indicating the attack of pink boll worm. It hibernates in between the seeds and Double Seeds are also the best indication of the damaged seeds. Farmers should avoid the use of Double Seeds that are stuck together by the silken threads of pupal stage of this pest. Cotton sticks serve as the best hiding place for this insect. It is not a problem in BT Cotton.

1. Cotton Leaf Folder

Sylepta derogata is also called as the cotton leaf folder. As the name is indicating the pest makes the leaves to roll. The older larvae roll the edges of leaves with the help of silken threads and feed on the leaf tissues after making roll. American cotton is worse affected. It is not a problem in BT Cotton. Like all the other pest of cotton the control of this pest should be planned after the determination of threshold levels. Biological control is considered to be optimum in case of the ideal conditions of temperature and humidity. During harsh conditions, chemical control is only option left. Attack of this pest is less on Native Cotton or Local Cotton.

Source:http://www.seetoptens.com/

Pakistan and US agree to enhance agricultural research's scope

Pakistan and the United States Wednesday agreed to enhance scope of scientific research in agricultural sector in order to get maximum benefit from modern technology. Agricultural Counsellor of US Embassy in Pakistan Clay Hamilton called on Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan and discussed possibilities to launch different programmes for increasing farmers income in the country, said a press release. The minister said the government was fully committed to modernise agricultural infrastructure of the country in order to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. He said rapid climate change was greatly affecting the agricultural system in the country and there was a need to further enhance collaborative research between the two countries in the field of agriculture to ensure future food security. Sikandar Bosan appreciated the work of US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Pakistan to improve agriculture infrastructure by launching various programmes and projects of agri-development. He also discussed the matter of export of Pakistani mangoes to the US markets and possibilities for facilitating its exporters.

Source: http://www.brecorder.com

Strawberry cultivation in Pakistan

By Dr. Ali Muhammad Khushk and Aslam Memon
Pakistan is producing a limited quantity of strawberries which are either eaten or used in preparing ice-cream, jam, jelly, pickle, cake or milk shake. The fruit fetches Rs100 to Rs120 per kg in big cities.
The wholesale price of the fruit comes down to Rs 50 per kg during the second fortnight of March when the crop production touches its peak. The per acre income from strawberry crop is estimated to Rs100,000 per season.
There are a number of reasons for restricted production, like the climate, size and taste. By overcoming problems related to quality, quantity and perishability of the fruit, Pakistan can also export it to Europe, the United States and Middle Eastern countries. Its saplings can be obtained from nurseries located in Mingora and Madayen (NWFP) at a rate of ReI per unit.
There is no one variety of strawberry which possesses all the desirable characteristics. Some are superior to others only because of certain characteristics. In general, the differences in tastes between different varieties are not given as much weight as in case of some other fruits. Some of its superior varieties enjoy colour that is very attractive. Its varieties grown in Pakistan are Chandelier, Corona and Stuff. These are mostly sour and small in size.
Planting:
Ordinarily, strawberries are propagated from runner plants grown by large commercial growers. The sale of runner plants is frequently a sideline business which supplements the main income from the fruit. The best strawberry transplants are less than a year old.
A good transplant should have an extensive fibrous root system, seven or eight inches in length. This type of root system usually develops best in rather loose sandy soil. Such soil also facilitates digging the plants and cleaning the roots for packaging.
Timings:
Early spring is an ideal time for planting as it ensures good development for increased productivity the following season. Fall planting is not recommended due to greater problems with weed control and the cost of winter mulch. The number of plants needed per acre depends upon the spacing system used.
Method:
The main planting system used for strawberry cultivars is the matted row. Set the plants 11/2 to 21/2 feet apart in rows spaced 3 to 4 feet apart. Let the runners develop until the row is I to 11/2 feet wide.
This system allows for easier weed control, easier harvest, less fruit rot, and fewer foliage diseases than other systems. The raised bed provides higher spring soil temperatures and better drainage, allowing faster establishment and earlier cropping.
Inter-cropping:
Fruit growers often find it economically beneficial to grow strawberries between the rows of young fruit trees until they become of bearing age. Such intercropping is well justified so long as the strawberries do not interfere with the culture of the tree fruits, which represent a much greater investment.
Usually it is not wise to plant strawberries closer than six to eight feet to tree fruits. Otherwise they are likely to interfere with cultural operations for the trees and may compete for water and nutrient materials in the soil. Often the trees suffer more than the strawberries.
Mulching:
Mulching is necessary in June bearing varieties to protect flower buds from temperatures below 15' F and to protect crowns from heaving damage. A three- to five-inch layer of straw mulch be applied after a few hard frosts, usually in late October or early November.
Frost protection:
Keep in mind, however, that strawberry growers tend to over emphasize the importance of fertilizers and underestimate the importance of water. Yields are more frequently reduced from lack of water, poor soil drainage, and poor soil physical properties than from a lack of fertilizer.
Irrigation:
Sprinkler irrigation is crucial to prevent frost damage in June bearing varieties after the mulch is removed in early spring. Irrigate whenever the air temperature drops below 34' F. Apply 0. 1 inch of water per hour with one sprinkler head revolution per minute.
Sprinkler irrigation should protect flowers and developing fruit down to 20' F. Spring frost protection is unnecessary during the planting year in day-neutral strawberries because the flowers are usually removed until the danger of frost is past. Frost protection may, however, be desired in the fall to extend the harvest season.
Day-neutral strawberries require more careful irrigation and water management than June-bearing strawberries, especially on raised beds. During the summer apply 0.75 to 1.5 inches of water per week depending on the weather, soil type, and effectiveness of mulch in preventing evaporation.
Use trickle irrigation with plastic mulch to ensure sufficient water in the root zone. Overhead irrigation may be used with straw or other organic mulches. Fertilizer can be applied through the irrigation system. Higher levels of certain nutrients such as nitrogen may be needed if trickle irrigation is used because of increased leaching through the soil profile.
Fertilizers:
Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other soil nutrients are required for vigorous crown and runner development. Soil tests will identify the nutrient needs. Generally phosphorus, potassium, and part of the nitrogen should be applied at or before planting. On most soils and under most conditions strawberry plants will be benefited by the application of commercial fertilizers, particularly by nitrogen, during the first growing season.
Weed control:
A weed eradication programme one year prior to planting is recommended if perennial weeds are a problem. Herbicides, mechanical control methods, and a green manure smother crop can be used effectively. Consult herbicide labels to avoid potential carry-over problems for the new strawberry planting. Preplan harrowing of a prepared field will reduce weed populations.
Insect control:
Not all insects found in a strawberry patch injure the plants and many of those that do can be controlled by preventive measures more easily than by chemicals. Rotation of strawberries with other cultivated crops is useful in controlling insects.
Strawberries are affected by several diseases that vary widely in their occurrence and severity; it is necessary to recognize common strawberry insect and disease problems in order to treat them quickly and effectively. Prevention is the best way to hold disease and insect problems in check. The use of good cultural practices, varieties adapted to the area, and disease-free stock will help reduce insect and disease problems.
Harvesting/marketing:
Proper picking, grading, and packing are as essential as good cultural practices to success. The harvest frequency and duration depend on weather conditions, varieties, soil factors, and cultural practices. Strawberries are almost entirely hand picked. As a general rule for wholesale operations, six to nine pickers are needed for one acre. Source: The DAWN

Climate change setting new farming patterns

Ashfak Bokhari

As evident from longer spells of heavy rains and devastating floods for the fourth consecutive year, Pakistan is experiencing the worst effects of climate change. These include serious threats to agriculture and water resources and, in fact, the country’s economic fabric.

As a corollary, the country’s status as an agro-based economy has become extremely vulnerable to unpredictable changes in weather and their consequences. These changes include hotter summers, early cold spell, irregular monsoons, unexpected or untimely rainfall and growing frequency and intensity of floods.

Since 2010, monsoon rains and floods have been more ferocious than before, leaving the rural infrastructure, communication system, transport network and, above all, agricultural economy in a disarray. Extreme events, which visited the country rarely in the past, are now more frequent. But what is still a low priority is the preparedness to meet the disaster which everybody can see coming.

To save agriculture which is the country’s mainstay, farmers are now being advised by experts to revise their crop calendar and start sowing cotton two months earlier so that the crop is picked before the monsoon hits. Rice growers, on the other hand, should go for delayed planting. There is need to introduce new varieties of wheat, rice and sugarcane which mature faster and survive heavy downpour and prolonged drought which are likely to continue for the next 30 to 35 years.

An estimate by a farmers’ NGO, though unconfirmed, reckons the loss of standing crops of cotton, rice, sugarcane, livestock and infrastructure at Rs200 billion caused by this year’s monsoon rains and floods. It says that the floods have hit hard the standing crop of cotton on an area of 140,000 acres, rice on an area of 60,000 acres, sugarcane on an area of 30,000 acres and those of vegetables and fodders on an area of 25,000 acres of land.

Besides, the country has lost or wasted sweet and fresh water worth $6 billion in the last four months due to absence of water reservoirs and storages. The wasted water was seen enough to irrigate an area of 13 million acres. This year’s calamity has strongly revived the need for constructing a number of dams in the country to store the water for irrigation and drinking purposes.

According to Basmati Growers Association in Punjab, standing crops of basmati on more than 0.5 million acres of land in the province have been badly damaged. It says that ‘Deh nullahs’ of River Ravi flowing through the districts of Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala have destroyed almost 50 per cent of the basmati growing areas in these districts. Basmati exports were already down to 0.6 million tons in 2012-13 from 1.2 million few years ago.

Deh nullah is a tributary of the Ravi river basin. It enters Pakistan north-west of the town of Zafarwal in Narowal district and travels along a winding course of 200 miles before falling into the River Ravi below Sharaqpur in District Sheikhupura. It is ironic to note that while there is abundant water causing devastation in the monsoon season, there is shortage of water in the Rabi season, which extends to early Kharif, within the next six to eight months. “If floods can fulfill the needs of the Indus delta silt, push the sea water back, encourage mangrove growth or improve river fisheries in Indus, then these would be happy times for everyone in Sindh,” says the association.

Meanwhile, the Central Cotton Research Institute, Multan, in its meeting held on August 20 found the cotton crop situation quite satisfactory and noted it has been cultivated on 5.78 million acres. However, there was still danger of heavy rains in the cotton belt in September.

Unfortunately, standing crops of wheat have been directly hit by the rains, resulting in serious production losses. An unfortunate consequence of this development is that growers have stopped harvesting in rain-affected areas. At present, the wheat crop in major parts of the country is in its final stage and ready for harvesting. Several wheat growing areas in Punjab and Sindh have received torrential downpour. Although production losses have not been worked out yet by experts, the fact remains that major damage has occurred in Sindh and Punjab.

According to a senior Pakistani meteorologist, Dr Azmat Hayat Khan, the cause of extremely devastating floods in 2010 lay in the shifting of the monsoon pattern from the eastern part of the country to the western part by some 100 kilometres. In a recent interview published in this newspaper, he recalled that an extreme event of 621mm of rain falling in just eight hours in Islamabad on July 23, 2001 and said such an unusual happening would be of more concern to the people than the shift in the monsoon pattern caused by global warming.

This year the rainfall in all parts of the country has been unusually heavy, causing flash floods. If nature maintains this pattern, he predicted, southern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southern Pakistan would be twice as vulnerable to serious flooding in the next 30 to 35 years. Charsadda, Nowshera, Attock, and Swat are the new vulnerable areas, among others in the western and southern Pakistan. One may note that instead of Kashmir and northern areas, semi-arid regions of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkwa are now receiving more rainfall.

Besides, catchment areas of the Mangla dam had been receiving less rains for the last few years. There is a definite possibility, says Dr Azmat, that Mangla dam becomes obsolete and the country may not need the Kalabagh dam if the monsoon pattern keeps shifting farther west. Which means the country needs to plan new dams farther down south.

There is a consensus that only new dams can control and manage the future flood. There is no doubt the country will see more of such cloudbursts — or even worse — as one Saidpur village of Islamabad experienced last month, when 130mm rain fell on it in less than one hour.

Source:http://dawn.com

Pakistan and US agree to enhance agricultural research's scope

September 12, 2013

Pakistan and the United States Wednesday agreed to enhance scope of scientific research in agricultural sector in order to get maximum benefit from modern technology. Agricultural Counsellor of US Embassy in Pakistan Clay Hamilton called on Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan and discussed possibilities to launch different programmes for increasing farmers income in the country, said a press release. The minister said the government was fully committed to modernise agricultural infrastructure of the country in order to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. He said rapid climate change was greatly affecting the agricultural system in the country and there was a need to further enhance collaborative research between the two countries in the field of agriculture to ensure future food security. Sikandar Bosan appreciated the work of US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Pakistan to improve agriculture infrastructure by launching various programmes and projects of agri-development. He also discussed the matter of export of Pakistani mangoes to the US markets and possibilities for facilitating its exporters.

Source: Business Recorder