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Pakistan Agriculture Developments

Prime Minister Imran Khan will be participating, as chief guest, in the launch ceremony of the Billion Tree Honey Initiative, a national apiculture program.





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Tobacco firms aim to procure 22pc more crop in 2021

Muqaddam Khan
24 Dec 2020

Multinational and local tobacco companies have increased their requirements of tobacco crop by 10.86 million kilograms to 56.48m kg for the upcoming year. — Dawn/File


Multinational and local tobacco companies have increased their requirements of tobacco crop by 10.86 million kilograms to 56.48m kg for the upcoming year. — Dawn/File

SWABI: Multinational and local tobacco companies have increased their requirements of tobacco crop by 10.86 million kilograms to 56.48m kg for the upcoming year, sources told Dawn on Wednesday.

Last year, the total demand from tobacco companies was 45.61m kg. Tobacco growers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have strongly condemned the delay, stating that they could not cultivate the crop according to their earlier plan. Among the tobacco growing districts in the province, Swabi is known as “House of Tobacco”.

The announcement of tobacco demand — which is usually announced in the beginning of November annually — was delayed in the current year by well over a month, the sources said.

If there is less demand for tobacco, growers opt for sowing wheat in November. Growers allege that companies delay the demand announcement in order to manipulate prices. One year, the companies will say there is less demand and pay growers a good price.


The next year, more growers automatically opt for sowing tobacco and that’s when the companies manipulate the situation, knowing that there will be surplus crop and bring down prices.

The companies’ requirements were announced via the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB). In total 61 companies had announced the demand and in the current year only 50 buyers had declared their quota, said the sources.

According to PTB, Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) would buy 26.50m kg, Phillip Morris international Pakistan 13.00m kg, Khyber Tobacco Company and A-Q enterprises each 2.20m kg and the remaining 10.80m kg by 58 national companies.

When contacted, tobacco grower leaders said the companies always adopt policy to purchase tobacco from them at low prices and to achieve this objective they adopt different tactics and strategies.

General Secretary of Kashtkar Coordination Council Liaqat Yousafzai said that they welcomed that increase in quota but a serious issue of determining the crop price for the upcoming year has yet to be finalised.
Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2020
 
KP govt finalizes first-ever food security policy

December 26, 2020

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has finalised its first-ever Food Security Policy to ascertain food security in the province.

The final draft of the policy was presented to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan in a meeting, who agreeing to the draft, approved the policy in principle and directed the authorities concerned to present the same in the upcoming meeting of the provincial cabinet on Monday for final approval

The policy is aimed at attaining sustainable food security, poverty alleviation and generates employment opportunities through achieving higher sustainable economic growth in the province.

It was further informed that short-term plan would be of two to three years duration which would cost around Rs56.00 billion and medium-term plan would be of four to seven years with an estimated cost of Rs109.00 billion whereas the long-term plan would be of eight to ten years to be implemented with an estimated cost of Rs70.00 billion. Under the short-term plan 19 different initiatives/measures had been proposed to increase agricultural products in the province.

Similarly, 24 different initiatives including construction of small dams, raising of the existing dams, development of maximum command areas of these dams and others have been proposed under the mid-term plan whereas nine various measures including construction of large dams, cultivation of olive plants at vast scale and others have been proposed under the long-term plan.

With reference to estimated impacts of these plans, it was informed that application of the short-term plan would yield an additional income of Rs21.00 billion per annum, the mid-term plan would generate an additional income of Rs18.00 billion per annum whereas the long-term plan, on application, would yield an income of Rs22.00 billion.
 
China can help Pakistan in developing bee products sector.

Billion Tree Honey initiative launched by PM Imran Khan will be a workable project to alleviate poverty and develop the bee products sector, said China Bee Products Association (CBPA) Chairman Yang Rong.
“It will lead to broad prospects of Pak-China cooperation in this field,” he added.

Rich natural and human resources have equipped Pakistan with favourable conditions to develop the bee products industry. Most of Pakistan’s land is subtropical, which provides a warm climate for vegetating nectariferous plants.
 
Gwadar Green House under construction. CPEC


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Over 2.3 million olive plants to be cultivated during current drive


December 28, 2020
F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: In order to promote olive farming on large scale for reducing the reliance on imported edible oil as well as to encourage high value agriculture, about 2.3 million olive plants to be cultivated during current season.

These plants to be cultivated under current autumn olive cultivation drive across the potential areas in the country, said Project Director of Olive Cultivation on Commercial Scale in Pakistan Dr Muhammad Tariq.

While talking to APP here on Monday, he said that olive cultivation drive have been carried out twice in a year, first in spring season and other in autumn to promote olive cultivation and bring barren and sami- agriculture land under high value crops production.

Average 500,000 to 600,000 olive plants per annum is being cultivated, he said adding that survey teams have also started their feasible studies in order to identify the area for coming cultivation drive.

He further informed that besides promoting olive, as many as 10 plants producing nurseries have also been established in collaboration with public and private sectors to fulfill the local needs.

From these local nurseries about 1 million plants would be obtained this season, he said adding that these plants would be 100 percent certified by the Federal Seeds Registration and Certification Authority.

Dr Tariq further informed that olive cultivation in the country has been gaining momentum as local output during the current season projected to cross 11,000 tonnes, showing a significant development towards reducing reliance on the imported edible oil as well as to exploit the export potential of this particular agriculture produce.

“The country is expecting to extract about 13,000 tonnes of extra virgin olive worth millions of dollars that would help to boost the farm income with less investment and use of inputs,” he added.

Sofar olive has been successfully cultivated over 27,000 hectares of land across the country and it was set to extend its cultivation to over 70,000 hectares to turn the marginal lands into productive for enhancing the income of small scale growers, he added.

This initiative would help to bring the sami-barren and marginal lands under cultivation of high-value crop in far off areas of the country, he said adding that besides it would help to eliminate poverty by bringing the most vulnerable communities in safety nets through agriculture interventions.

Under the olive cultivation project, he said that farmers were provided about 550,000 plants during last year and this year over 675,000 more plants would be distributed among them to promote its cultivation at large scale.

Dr Tariq said that, government intended to provide more 2.2 million plants and bring about 50,000 hectares under olive cultivation by end of 2022-23, adding that if continued with same spirit, the country would be included in the list of potential exports of extra virgin olive oil.

Besides cultivation of olive, he said government was also focusing to establish processing units for oil extraction and so far 09 extraction units have been installed in different places to facilitate the growers.

Meanwhile, the provincial governments of Punjab and Balochistan have also installed 3 units respectively in different districts, where as the private sector was also active and had installed its mobile plants in Fasilabad and Chakwal.

Dr Tariq said that government was paying special attention to promote olive cultivation in Balochistan and provided about 700,000 plants to growers and it was cultivated in 22 districts, adding that out of the total cultivated plants about 30 per cent have started to produce fruits.

In order to facilitate the local growers of Balochistan, 5 oil processing units have been installed there, besides the farmers were also provided training of value addition of the product and processing.

This year, he said that government had organized two-day International Olive Conference in Khuzdar, which was virtually participated by experts from Greece, Italy and Spain, he said adding that local scientists and experts also took part in the event.
 
Over 2.3 million olive plants to be cultivated during current drive


December 28, 2020
F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: In order to promote olive farming on large scale for reducing the reliance on imported edible oil as well as to encourage high value agriculture, about 2.3 million olive plants to be cultivated during current season.

These plants to be cultivated under current autumn olive cultivation drive across the potential areas in the country, said Project Director of Olive Cultivation on Commercial Scale in Pakistan Dr Muhammad Tariq.

While talking to APP here on Monday, he said that olive cultivation drive have been carried out twice in a year, first in spring season and other in autumn to promote olive cultivation and bring barren and sami- agriculture land under high value crops production.

Average 500,000 to 600,000 olive plants per annum is being cultivated, he said adding that survey teams have also started their feasible studies in order to identify the area for coming cultivation drive.

He further informed that besides promoting olive, as many as 10 plants producing nurseries have also been established in collaboration with public and private sectors to fulfill the local needs.

From these local nurseries about 1 million plants would be obtained this season, he said adding that these plants would be 100 percent certified by the Federal Seeds Registration and Certification Authority.

Dr Tariq further informed that olive cultivation in the country has been gaining momentum as local output during the current season projected to cross 11,000 tonnes, showing a significant development towards reducing reliance on the imported edible oil as well as to exploit the export potential of this particular agriculture produce.

“The country is expecting to extract about 13,000 tonnes of extra virgin olive worth millions of dollars that would help to boost the farm income with less investment and use of inputs,” he added.

Sofar olive has been successfully cultivated over 27,000 hectares of land across the country and it was set to extend its cultivation to over 70,000 hectares to turn the marginal lands into productive for enhancing the income of small scale growers, he added.

This initiative would help to bring the sami-barren and marginal lands under cultivation of high-value crop in far off areas of the country, he said adding that besides it would help to eliminate poverty by bringing the most vulnerable communities in safety nets through agriculture interventions.

Under the olive cultivation project, he said that farmers were provided about 550,000 plants during last year and this year over 675,000 more plants would be distributed among them to promote its cultivation at large scale.

Dr Tariq said that, government intended to provide more 2.2 million plants and bring about 50,000 hectares under olive cultivation by end of 2022-23, adding that if continued with same spirit, the country would be included in the list of potential exports of extra virgin olive oil.

Besides cultivation of olive, he said government was also focusing to establish processing units for oil extraction and so far 09 extraction units have been installed in different places to facilitate the growers.

Meanwhile, the provincial governments of Punjab and Balochistan have also installed 3 units respectively in different districts, where as the private sector was also active and had installed its mobile plants in Fasilabad and Chakwal.

Dr Tariq said that government was paying special attention to promote olive cultivation in Balochistan and provided about 700,000 plants to growers and it was cultivated in 22 districts, adding that out of the total cultivated plants about 30 per cent have started to produce fruits.

In order to facilitate the local growers of Balochistan, 5 oil processing units have been installed there, besides the farmers were also provided training of value addition of the product and processing.

This year, he said that government had organized two-day International Olive Conference in Khuzdar, which was virtually participated by experts from Greece, Italy and Spain, he said adding that local scientists and experts also took part in the event.
This is future of millions of Pakistanis. We should make/grow olive industry to atleast 5 bn USD.
Millions of Pakistanis will get jobs in olive fields, extraction plants and transport.
 
Over 2.3 million olive plants to be cultivated during current drive


December 28, 2020
F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: In order to promote olive farming on large scale for reducing the reliance on imported edible oil as well as to encourage high value agriculture, about 2.3 million olive plants to be cultivated during current season.

These plants to be cultivated under current autumn olive cultivation drive across the potential areas in the country, said Project Director of Olive Cultivation on Commercial Scale in Pakistan Dr Muhammad Tariq.

While talking to APP here on Monday, he said that olive cultivation drive have been carried out twice in a year, first in spring season and other in autumn to promote olive cultivation and bring barren and sami- agriculture land under high value crops production.

Average 500,000 to 600,000 olive plants per annum is being cultivated, he said adding that survey teams have also started their feasible studies in order to identify the area for coming cultivation drive.

He further informed that besides promoting olive, as many as 10 plants producing nurseries have also been established in collaboration with public and private sectors to fulfill the local needs.

From these local nurseries about 1 million plants would be obtained this season, he said adding that these plants would be 100 percent certified by the Federal Seeds Registration and Certification Authority.

Dr Tariq further informed that olive cultivation in the country has been gaining momentum as local output during the current season projected to cross 11,000 tonnes, showing a significant development towards reducing reliance on the imported edible oil as well as to exploit the export potential of this particular agriculture produce.

“The country is expecting to extract about 13,000 tonnes of extra virgin olive worth millions of dollars that would help to boost the farm income with less investment and use of inputs,” he added.

Sofar olive has been successfully cultivated over 27,000 hectares of land across the country and it was set to extend its cultivation to over 70,000 hectares to turn the marginal lands into productive for enhancing the income of small scale growers, he added.

This initiative would help to bring the sami-barren and marginal lands under cultivation of high-value crop in far off areas of the country, he said adding that besides it would help to eliminate poverty by bringing the most vulnerable communities in safety nets through agriculture interventions.

Under the olive cultivation project, he said that farmers were provided about 550,000 plants during last year and this year over 675,000 more plants would be distributed among them to promote its cultivation at large scale.

Dr Tariq said that, government intended to provide more 2.2 million plants and bring about 50,000 hectares under olive cultivation by end of 2022-23, adding that if continued with same spirit, the country would be included in the list of potential exports of extra virgin olive oil.

Besides cultivation of olive, he said government was also focusing to establish processing units for oil extraction and so far 09 extraction units have been installed in different places to facilitate the growers.

Meanwhile, the provincial governments of Punjab and Balochistan have also installed 3 units respectively in different districts, where as the private sector was also active and had installed its mobile plants in Fasilabad and Chakwal.

Dr Tariq said that government was paying special attention to promote olive cultivation in Balochistan and provided about 700,000 plants to growers and it was cultivated in 22 districts, adding that out of the total cultivated plants about 30 per cent have started to produce fruits.

In order to facilitate the local growers of Balochistan, 5 oil processing units have been installed there, besides the farmers were also provided training of value addition of the product and processing.

This year, he said that government had organized two-day International Olive Conference in Khuzdar, which was virtually participated by experts from Greece, Italy and Spain, he said adding that local scientists and experts also took part in the event.

If out of these trees planted, even if half a million trees survive per year.. ( a very very pessimistic figure), even then after 5 years we will annually have 500,000 trees starting to bear fruit for decades and decades to come.
Sustained progress can transform the former agencies and adjoining areas of KPK, Punjab and Balochistan. Inshallah
 
Next phase of CPEC to include agricultural sector: PM Imran Khan

January 1, 2021



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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would lay emphasis on the agricultural sector.

Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad, the premier regretted that the previous government had ignored the sector. "Pakistan is an agricultural country," he stressed.

PM Imran Khan said the government was working with the Chinese officials on increasing agricultural products and using their methods. "The next phase of the CPEC includes boosting the agricultural sector."


Learning from China

The premier once again admired China for its strategies and asserted that the Chinese model of development suits Pakistan's needs the best.

"If we can learn from any one country in the world, it is China. Their development model suits Pakistan the best," he said. "The speed with which China developed in the last 30 years is something we can learn from."

He added that Beijing had managed to prove that poverty alleviation is true development.



Relocation of Chinese industries to Pakistan

The premier said the government was keen on the relocation of Chinese industries to Pakistan "just like Vietnam".

"For this purpose, we have launched special economic zones (SEZs). Next, we aim to convince them to export from Pakistan."

The premier said no government had tried to boost exports in the past 50 years. "This is why we have to go to the International Monetary Fund - when our imports outweigh exports and create a current account deficit."

PM Imran Khan said the government would hold discussions with the Chinese officials on increasing exports in the short term. "Pakistan has great potential," he stressed.


2021 will be the year for Pakistan's economic growth

The prime minister said 2021 would be a year of economic growth, emphasising that the country was already moving in the right direction as essential industries increased productivity.

Giving an example of the construction sector, PM Imran Khan said an increase in cement sales was a clear sign that construction activity is on the rise.

He said the textile industry too was producing at full capacity for the first time in many years, resulting in a "shortage of labour" in the sector.
 
1st Pakistani Jisne 5000 Kanal Per Housing Society Ki Bajaye 70 Crore Se Khubsoorat Bagh Laga Dia



 
Mini Tractor Jis Se Chand Ghenton Mein Kae Acre Faslain Kati Jaa Sakti Hain



 
Cold storage for mango to be established at airports and shipping ports
By Gwadar Pro
Dec 14, 2020

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 14 (Gwadar Pro) - The Government and the Representatives of Fruit and Vegetable Exporters have agreed to establish cold storages at airports and shipping ports across the country.

The Ministry of Commerce hosted a consultative session on the issues pertaining to the export of mango via video-link. Advisor to Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood, Chairman of Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA), Waheed Ahmad, farmers, and exporters of mangoes attended the online meeting. The officials of the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), and Department of Plant Protection (DPP) were also present.

It was agreed that efforts will be made to establish cold storage areas at airport and shipping ports, and the Ministry of Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be approached for reserving a dedicated area for mango consignments. The CAA will also be approached to install bigger scanners for scanning the consignments instead of loading and unloading small crates.

The main issues identified during the meeting were the compliance requirements, high freight charges, lack of cold storage facilities at the airports, and insufficient water and vapor treatment facilities.

The Ministry of Commerce has informed that the export of local mango increased to $104 million in 2019-20 from $78 million in the previous year 2018-19. The main markets for Pakistan’s export are United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Afghanistan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, informed a press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce.
 
Deepen Pak-China Agriculture Coop through Networking, Research Resource Mobilization

By Gwadar Pro
by Mariam Raheem

MULTAN, Jan. 12 (Gwadar Pro) - Strengthening China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation through networking and mobilization of research resources is greatly beneficial to tap the potential of human resources, elevate socio-economic status of farmers and add momentum to rural revitalization in Pakistan.

“A win-win situation can be achieved through the development of Pak-China schools in rural areas of Pakistan, strengthening bilateral institutional cooperation and business contacts, promoting the transformation from self-sufficient agriculture to commercial agriculture, etc.” Dr. Asif Ali, Vice Chancellor, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan said in an interview with Gwadar Pro recently.

Rural development is largely neglected in Pakistan but it actually affects agricultural development as a whole and food security in particular. Asif Ali said that China's rural development model had achieved remarkable results, which should be learned by Pakistan.

“It is imperative to carry out cultural exchanges and language education between the two countries for rural population at an early age. Through the focus of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Phase II on agricultural cooperation and social livelihood, both countries can develop together.”

“Our cooperation in research and human resource training in Chinese Institute has made important progress. We have established Sino-Pak Agri-Biotechnology Lab and plan to set up a Confucius Institute to strengthen people-to-people exchanges.” Asif Ali stated, “the faculty and staff of our university are connected with stakeholders, including farmers, agribusinesses, national and international partners, and members of society. We also contact farmers through the project internship program, realizing the combination of theoretical knowledge and practice.

There are currently about 6,000 students from Pakistan pursuing PhD degrees in agricultural sciences in China who need to be trained in the target areas of the two countries.”

International collaboration in R&D and human resource exchange for the betterment of agriculture is very important. Over the years, inter-institutional cooperation between both countries has been deepening continuously. Asif Ali stressed that in the long run, such cooperation should not only be a single intervention in science, but also in need to be moved from laboratory to commercialization.
 
Infrastructural development under CPEC revolutionizing Pak’s Agriculture

By Gwadar Pro
by Fatima Javed

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 12 (Gwadar Pro) - The development of infrastructure including energy projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is uplifting and revolutionizing Pakistan’s agriculture sector. The lack of infrastructure is a big constraint over agricultural development while development of infrastructure brings revolution in agriculture technology.

Recently Parliamentary Committee on CPEC headed by Mr. Sher Ali Arbab (MNA)/ Chairman Committee visited National Agricultural Research Centre.

The purpose of this meeting was to make agriculture sector an important part of CPEC and find possible Pak-China agricultural cooperation and technical assistance through PARC interventions.

The committee was of the view that the vast potential of agriculture sector if exploited prudently and effectively will vehemently alter the socio-economic landscape of Pakistan, bring lasting economic benefits and strengthen the process of industrialization under CPEC framework.

Experts believe that there is direct association between various types of infrastructure and agricultural output growth. For example, rural electrification increases irrigated area, improves irrigation facilities and as a result the output of crops cultivated through underground irrigation system is always higher than those under canal or tank irrigation.

Development of infrastructure is followed by research and technology in the agriculture sector. A great number of studies are available in literature confirm that when infrastructure is built, the use of modern technology becomes common in agriculture sector.

Hence, CPEC will significantly help in ensuring wide range of development, especially targeting socio-economic development of less-developed areas of the country. Agricultural productivity, rural prosperity and farmer’s livelihood can be improved giving priority to this sector.

As Chinese enterprises and government is building a vast net of latest infrastructure, Pakistani farmers will benefit from better infrastructure and will be able to export their products to wider market.

The power plants and energy projects set up on Pakistan's land under CPEC will make 24/7 energy available to local people as well. This will help them overcome the troubles that are caused by power outages.

Hydroelectric power projects between the two countries will help Pakistan in many ways like cheap electricity, enhanced water storage capacity and availability of water for agriculture during lean periods.

It is imperative that governments at all levels should support and back up these projects through institutional development and regulatory mechanism so that maximum economic benefits could be reaped.

 
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