Pakistan Agriculture Developments

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Despite infestation, cotton remains safe​

Agri-secretary urges need for optimising production to ensure farmer prosperity

APP
August 31, 2023


Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahu has called on farmers and experts to prioritise the nutritional management of cotton, particularly in the pivotal months of September and October.

Presiding over a virtual divisional cotton management meeting at the Civil Secretariat, he emphasised the need for optimising cotton production, which had dropped sharply in the past few years.

He asked the divisional directors of cotton to document the arrival of raw cotton at ginning factories in a bid to devise a comprehensive strategy for the upcoming crop.

Meeting participants acknowledged the stability of cotton market as a positive factor that would contribute to farmer prosperity and leave a positive impact on the current season crop.

Sahu was joined by officials of the South Punjab cotton and food divisions, who underscored the importance of increased monitoring. Key officials and divisional directors from Multan, Bahawalpur and DG Khan also took part in the huddle.

The agriculture secretary was given a briefing on the generally favourable cotton crop condition across Punjab, during which he underscored the necessity of giving increased attention to the crop.

Meeting participants discussed the targeted pesticide application in hotspot areas and the ongoing harvesting endeavours, which had yielded over 200,000 bales thus far.

While instances of whitefly, mealy bug and pink bollworm infestation had been reported, they did not cause any significant damage. Teams from the Agriculture Extension and Pest Warning Departments were addressing the challenges with the help of advanced chemical treatment.

Responding to concerns voiced by the flood-stricken regions in South Punjab, Sahu underlined the need for comprehensive monitoring and technical support to help farmers in clean cotton picking. The secretary highlighted the significance of boosting cotton production per acre to ensure the prosperity of farmers and maintain national economic stability.

While appreciating officers for their efforts and hard work, he believed that the cotton production target would be achieved in the current season.

 

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Agri dept issues strategy for best care of cotton​

Pakistan News
Sep 4, 2023

LAHORE : The Punjab Agriculture department has issued strategy for ensuring the best care of cotton crop during the month of September.

A spokesman for the department said on Monday thatSeptemberwas the important month for cotton crop.

He said that farmers should continue watering the crop as per its requirement. Waters couting method should be used for adequate use ofwater, he added.

He further said that fertilizer should also be used in recommended amount and in accordance with cultivation method and sown variety.

Spokesman said that farmers should feel free in contacting the Agriculture department for proper guidance and obtaining better yield of their crop.

 

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7.846 million Metric Ton of wheat available​

The Frontier Post
Sep 4, 2023

Strategic wheat reserves of the country during the start week of the current month (September) were recorded at 7.846 million metric tons, which is enough to fulfill the local requirements and maintain stocks for keeping the demand and supply smooth in domestic markets.

The government had procured about 5.879 million metric tons of wheat during the crop procurement campaign for the year 2023-24, said Food Security Commissioner In the Ministry of National Food Security and Research Imtiaz Ali Gopang.

Talking to APP here on Monday, he said that grain procurement targets for the current season were fixed at 7.800 million tons as out of the total fixed targets about 75 per cent was accomplished, adding that Punjab completed 87 per cent of its procurement targets as it procured 3.921 million metric tons, Sindh 56 percent to procured 777,394 metric tons respectively.

Meanwhile, Balochistan had procured 50,000 metric tons, whereas Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation had completed 63 percent of its assigned task as it procured 5.879 million tons of wheat, he added.

Food Security Commissioner informed that local carry-forward stocks of wheat in the country were recorded at 1.570 million metric tons, which further strengthened the local reserves of grains, adding under import of 2022, the government had also imported about 375,589 metric tons of wheat.

So far, the government has released 762,471 metric tons of wheat for grinding, adding that private sector procurements had recorded at 3.590 million tons, of which 2.656 metric tons had been grinded.

It is worth mentioning here that wheat production targets during 2022-23 were fixed at 28.37 million metric tons, whereas local grain output was estimated at 28.185 million metric tons.

 

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PCJCCI proposes to grow Chinese varieties of potatoes to enhance disease free production​

By Gwadar Pro

 

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Standardizations key to enhance Pakistan's agriculture exports to China​

By Zafar Hussain
Sep 9, 2023

BEIJING- Pakistan's agriculture sector is poised for a boost in exports to China, through a renewed focus on standardization and quality control. After fulfilling China's required standardization on meat, chili, and other commodities, Pakistan signed MoUs with China to export these products from Pakistan to China, said Ghulam Qadir, Commercial Counselor, the Embassy of Pakistan in China.

Speaking with a forum titled “International Forum on Standardization Development of Agricultural Products”, at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) on Wednesday, Ghulam Qadir said that China is helping Pakistan develop their standards for various crops, such as wheat, rice, cotton, and maize. This will involve defining parameters for crop quality, including size, weight, moisture content, and pesticide residue levels, among others.

“Both countries are working together to promote sustainable agricultural practices, emphasizing soil health, water management, and reduced carbon emissions. These standards aim to protect the environment while ensuring long-term food security. China is also helping Pakistan with the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, with a focus on minimizing the presence of harmful residues in food items,” he added.

He further said that over the past few years, Pakistan has made substantial strides in improving its agricultural production, with a particular emphasis on quality control and meeting international standards. These efforts are now paying off as the country aims to capture a more substantial share of China's burgeoning agricultural market. He added that “we would get more support from China to ensure the standardization of the products if we want to improve our exports to China”.
“Pakistan's agricultural exports to China have historically been limited to a few commodities, such as rice, sesame seed, and cotton.

However, the landscape is evolving rapidly, as Pakistan diversifies its exports to include fruits, vegetables, and processed products. This transformation has been driven by a combination of factors, including increased investment in agriculture, improved infrastructure, and most crucially, adherence to international standards”, he added.

 

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Onion crop protection: PHDEC organises seminar to address fungal and bacterial threats​

Business Recorder
Sep 11, 2023

TANDO ALLAH YAR: In response to the alarming decline of onion crops in regions including Tando Allah Yar and Matiari, the Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) organised a transformative training-cum-discussion seminar.

The event, titled “Remedial Measures for Fungal/Bacterial Diseases in Onion Crop,” convened at the Municipal Committee Hall, Tando Allah Yar, witnessed active participation from numerous onion growers and farmers.

Khawar Nadeem, Manager PHDEC, opened the seminar by elucidating its core objectives. He underscored the need to deliver the latest insights and knowledge to the affected region, equipping growers and farmers with the most recent developments in combating fungal and bacterial diseases ravaging the onion crops. These diseases have posed a severe threat, endangering up to 50% of the onion yield in these areas.

Khalid Iqbal Rajput, Director of the Plant Research Institute at ARC Tando Jam, took the stage to shed light on the factors contributing to the emergence of these diseases. He pinpointed residual water stagnation from the previous year’s floods as a prime culprit. Scientific investigations unveiled a consequential rise in pH levels and the
accumulation of saline layers in the shallow earth—conditions that created ideal breeding grounds for the diseases.

Mubarak Ali, Consultant Agro Division TDAP, wrapped up the technical discussions by emphasizing the importance of consulting local experts before implementing control measures.

 

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China-Pak crop pest management seminar held in Chengdu​

By Wu Siya | China Economic Net
Sep 25, 2023

CHENGDU–In order to strengthen the mutual learning and cooperation between China and Pakistan in the fields of crop pest management technology, prevention and control measures and management standards, the Seminar on Methods and Standards of Crop Pest Management in China and Pakistan was held by International Standardization Talent Training Base (Chengdu), and co-hosted by University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and University of the Punjab, on September 25 online, attended by technicians of agricultural enterprises engaged in crop pest control and experts of related scientific research institutes from both countries.

Honored guest Dr. Abid Ali, Associate Professor, Department of Entomology at University of Agriculture Faisalabad, gave a keynote speech titled Standard System and Current Situation of Pest Control of Major Crops in Pakistan.

“We are facing growing severe pressure from pests, which is a serious threat to survival and security for Pakistan, an agricultural country. Climate change and high temperatures have intensified pests, in the meantime, extensive cropping signifies a lack of systematic and scientific control. Moreover, blind abuse of pesticides has led to more and more pests becoming resistant further. Such a vicious cycle keeps the cost of plant protection high.”

After analyzing the complex situation of crop pest management in Pakistan, Dr. Ali took several major pests such as Fall Armyworm (FAW) as examples to introduce Pakistan’s current management system (chemical control), and pointed out that Pakistan lacks adequate pest monitoring and forecasting systems, which means that pesticides still dominate prevention and control measures. Statistics shows that Pakistan’s annual pesticide use has soared from 50,000 tons/year in 2001 to 200,000 tons/year in 2020 in the past 20 years.

Fall Armyworm causes major damage both in Pakistan and China [Photo/ Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences]
Therefore, studying the population distribution of natural enemies of pests in different phenological stages and crops will help Pakistan establish a biological management system, by which reduce the use of pesticides. “China has leading technology in the field of biological control. Through learning related experience, it will be of great benefit to the promotion of biological control in Pakistan.”

Pests Intelligent Big Data Monitoring Equipment [Photo/Fujian Academy of Agricultural Science]


Another attendant, Liu Jie, Deputy Director, National Agro-Tech Extension and Service Center, detailed Monitoring and Warning Technology of Agricultural Pests and Diseases Based on IoT and Big Data, focusing on cutting-edge Agro tech such as intelligent testing equipment, which can rely on automatic image recognition to detect and report all insects that enter the trap range, and identify the type, quantity, and gathering period of pests in certain area.

“In the context of global economic integration, high-speed circulation of global agricultural products through trade networks has brought a greater variety of pests to a certain extent. In addition to climate change, the threat of invasive alien species driven by socioeconomic factors has greatly intensified,” Liu stressed.

“Currently, China has established a remote sensing dynamic prediction model that combines multi-scale monitoring results of pests and diseases with epidemic migration patterns of pests and diseases, realizing remote dynamic prediction of remote sensing and migration paths of major pests and diseases areas. We take delight in sharing experiences in this regard between the two countries.”

Besides, China' s standard system for the management of major food crop diseases and pests, along with China’s prevention and control policies and measures for major agricultural pests and diseases were also amplified by experts.

It was noted that China and Pakistan will kick start a series of tests, demonstrations and joint research on integrated disease control technologies for crop pests and diseases of common concern, as well as technical personnel training and personnel exchange and training.

 

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National seed policy​

Malik called for a uniform regulatory regime across all crop varieties to enhance Pakistan’s seed system

Correspondent
October 04, 2023

Caretaker Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik, on Tuesday, convened a meeting to address Pakistan’s seed system. The gathering, attended by key stakeholders, aimed to evaluate challenges and future prospects.

According to a statement issued by Ministry of National Food Security, Malik called for a uniform regulatory regime across all crop varieties to enhance Pakistan’s seed system. He highlighted the impact of poor seed quality and the sale of unapproved varieties on yield.

“Currently, there is a substantial 66% gap between the supply and demand for certified seeds in the country,” he said, urging the development of a National Seed Policy, strategy, and implementation plan through a consensus-driven approach, underscoring the need for public-private dialogues to optimise the seed supply system.

 

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Chinese technology vital to multiplying agricultural revolution in Pakistan:​

By Shafqat Ali

ISLAMABAD, - Caretaker Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik said on Tuesday afternoon that Chinese technology is vital to multiplying agricultural revolution In Pakistan.

The minister chaired a meeting on Seed System of Pakistan and reviewed its challenges and future prospects at Islamabad.

The meeting was attended by all the main stakeholders of Seed Sector from all over Pakistan. The country Chief of The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Pakistan presented the salient points of the recently launched documents on National Seed Sector: Prospects and Challenges.

The report highlighted that the regulatory system in Pakistan is improving but due to relatively weak enforcement it is unable to attract enough foreign companies in the seed sector. Moreover, Pakistan’s breeding industry suffers from the chronic problem of intellectual property theft.

The Seed Amendment Act of 2015 liberalized the seed sector resulted in mushroom growth of domestic private seed companies. At the meeting, officials held extensive and in-depth discussions on how to use advanced genomic technology and information technology systems to optimize the breeding industry as a whole. So far, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research has launched a field-farmer overall tracking and analysis system for wheat crops to better control the overall wheat planting status.

Dr. Kausar Malik said that government is committed to uplift agro based industry in the country as solution of all our economic woes lies in the development of agriculture sector.

The doctor said that with the help of China, Pakistan currently urgently needs to establish a unified regulatory system for all crop varieties to improve the development of Pakistan's seed industry.

He added that currently, there is a widespread problem in Pakistan of low-quality seeds and unapproved seeds occupying the agricultural market, which has seriously affected Pakistan's crop production. “There is large gap of 66 percent between supply and demand of certified seeds in the country,” he stressed.

 

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Agricultural land consolidation​

Dr Muhammad Faisal Ali
October 11, 2023

Agricultural land consolidation is a land management procedure which entails restructuring, reorganization or redistribution of land holdings by reducing number of plots or parcels to create larger, more efficient, and more logically shaped land holdings.

Pakistan’s agricultural landscape is characterized by small and fragmented land holdings. The average landholding size is relatively small, making it challenging for farmers to adopt modern farming techniques, mechanization, and efficient resource management.

As a result of which, productivity remains low, and the sector’s growth potential is largely untapped. To harness the full potential, Pakistan must consider Agriculture Land Consolidation (ALC) as a strategic solution.

It is imperative to begin by comprehensively understanding both present and past trends in distribution of agricultural land in Pakistan. Agricultural land distribution has undergone a rapid transformation. Over the last five decades, the number of farms has surged, rising from 3.76 million to 8.26 million.

Notably, the pace of this increase accelerated significantly, particularly between 2000 and 2010, when the number of farms expanded from 6.62 million to 8.26 million, representing an astonishing 25 percent growth rate. This data is 13 years old, and there have been no agricultural censuses conducted since 2010. Therefore, it’s plausible that, based on past trends, the current figure could be around 10 million.

When considering average farm size, 64 percent farmers have less than 5 acres of land. If this threshold is raised to 12.5 acres, the percentage rises to 89 percent, highlighting significant presence of small and medium-sized farmers in Pakistan. When average farm size within sub-categories is examined, they tend to be smaller.

Further, a diminishing trend in both, average farm size and average cultivated area has been observed consistently. Specifically, the average farm size decreased from 13 acres to 6.4 acres between 1972 and 2010, while the average cultivated area declined from 10.8 acres to 5.2 acres over the same period.

This situation worsens in case of fragments. The average number of fragments per farm is three in Pakistan. Out of the total 8.26 million farms, 34 percent exhibit fragmentations, accounting for a total of 8.58 million fragments. Among the 8.56 million fragments, 6.55 million fragments are associated with farmers who own less than 12.5 acres of land.

Analyzing distribution of fragments in more depth conclude that 2.1 million farms have an average of 2-3 fragments, 0.45 million farms have an average of 4-5 fragments, 0.24 million farms have an average of 6-9 fragments, while 9053 farms possess more than 10 fragments in Pakistan.

Fragmented land can lead to inefficiencies in land use, making it difficult to implement cohesive and productive agricultural strategies. ALC helps in reducing the fragmentations, by consolidating these parcels, farmers can create larger and more uniform fields, making it easier to use modern farming equipment and practices effectively.

ALC allows better land use planning at both the local and regional levels balancing agricultural needs with other developmental priorities. Therefore, ALC emerges as the most fitting solution in response to diminishing land sizes and increasing fragments. This approach has demonstrated its effectiveness in numerous regions worldwide, including countries such as China, Japan, India, and Turkey.

Smaller farms often encounter obstacles when attempting to adopt modern farming machinery due to their limited scale. Through consolidation, there will be increased access to mechanization and financial resources.

Larger, consolidated fields are better suited for the use of modern agricultural machinery, such as tractors, combine harvesters, and advanced irrigation systems, which can significantly increase efficiency and speed of various farming operations, from planting to harvesting.

ALC often leads to economies of scale, providing advantages of bulk purchasing of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, and benefit from lower per-unit production costs. This can result in increased profitability and productivity.

This, in turn, enables small farmers to engage in value-added activities such as food processing, packaging, and marketing, while also gaining access to larger markets through the establishment of efficient value chains. Ultimately, this enhances their profitability.

The legal framework provides an avenue for residents in a particular area to instigate ALC, contingent upon their ability to provide documented evidence that a majority, specifically 51 percent at least, of the village’s inhabitants support the initiative.

Those in support can propose a consolidation scheme, which the revenue officer will publish as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Board of Revenue. If no objections are raised within a specified timeframe, the scheme can be implemented. In case objections do arise, individuals can file an appeal with the collector within 60 days.

If the issue remains unresolved, a subsequent appeal can be made to the commissioner within another 60-day period, with the commissioner serving as the final authority in such matters. In situations where the applicant does not submit a consolidation scheme, the revenue officer is responsible for preparing one, following the same procedure.

If the number of individuals willing to participate in land consolidation is less than 51 percent, consolidation can still proceed, but it will only apply to those who have requested it.

However, a profound awareness of the intricate web of land ownership and the social dynamics is essential when implementing ALC. Moreover, precise and up-to-date land documentation, local zoning regulations dictating permissible land uses, as well as land subdivision and consolidation rules, hold paramount significance.

Challenges associated with land titles, boundary disputes, tenancy rights, and the maintenance of land records can pose obstacles. Further, land consolidation may encounter resistance from landowners who harbor concerns about potential encroachment on their land rights. But, they can be resolved through careful strategizing, efficient and transparent regulatory mechanisms, and active community involvement.

The legal provisions coupled with promising advantages create a strong case for embracing ALC in Pakistan. It would lay the foundation for a more prosperous and sustainable agricultural future. This transformation will not only bring benefits to farmers but also play a significant role in bolstering food security, fostering rural development, and contributing to overall economic growth.

 

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Farmers advised to prepare for mid-October​

The Express Tribune
Oct 15, 2023

Agricultural experts have recommended that farmers prepare their land to start cultivating wheat from mid-October to produce a bumper yield.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture (Agriculture Extension) on Saturday said that the period from mid-October to late November is the most suitable time for growing wheat. Therefore, farmers should prepare their lands and use approved wheat varieties for cultivation.

The varieties that have been approved by the ministry are Chakwal-50, NARC-2009, PARC-2009, Dharabi-2011, Pakistan-2013, Sehar-2006, Galaxy-2013 among others.

Furthermore, the spokesperson advised farmers to utilise seed sorters before planting healthy and high-quality seeds, stating that quality seeds are crucial for higher yields.

Moreover, he suggested using one and a half bags of DAP fertiliser and for urea based fertilisers he advised watering 2-3 bags before use, he further added that a bag of Sulphate of Potash (SOP) should also be applied for good quality produce.

 

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Cotton arrival surges 19.3% in first two weeks of Oct: PCGA​

BR

Cotton arrival in Pakistan witnessed a significant increase of 19.3% as of October 15 compared to September 30, showed the latest fortnightly data released by the Pakistan Cotton Ginner’s Association (PCGA) on Wednesday.

As per the report, total cotton arrival in Pakistan rose to 5.996 million bales compared to 5.025 million bales recorded on September 30, 2023, an increase of 0.971 million bales.

As per the PCGA data, cotton arrival reported a substantial increase from both Punjab and Sindh.

As of October 15, cotton arrival in Punjab clocked in at 2.543 million bales as compared to 2.069 million bales reported on September 30, 2023, an increase of 22.9%. On a yearly basis, cotton arrivals from Punjab jumped by 22.7%, as compared to 2.072 million bales clocked in during the same period last year.

Similarly, cotton arrival in Sindh was 3.453 million bales compared to 2.956 million bales recorded in September 30, an increase of 0.50 million bales or 16.8%. However, the YoY increase was more pronounced in Sindh, as cotton arrivals jumped by 111.2% as compared to 1.635 million bales registered in SPLY.

 

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Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Chinese and Pakistani companies for cultivation of chillies in Pakistan​

By Staff Reporter
Oct 18, 2023

Beijing (China Economic Net) ...Chinese and Pakistani companies signed a memorandum of understanding at the Pakistani embassy in Beijing to increase production of pepper in Pakistan. The agreement marks the growing economic partnership between the two countries and aims to boost agricultural efforts in Pakistan.

On behalf of Pakistan, JW Group signed with Qingdao SCO International Trade Group Company and Qingdao Panpanxiao Food Company. The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Federal Minister for Commerce, Industry and Production Dr. Gohar Ijaz and other Pakistani officials from the Pakistani Embassy and the Ministry of Commerce.
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Production Dr Gohar Ijaz said that the MoU will not only increase the production of this popular spice but also create employment opportunities, improve agricultural practices and increase Pakistan's export capacity.

According to the MoU, Pakistan will provide land for agriculture and industry, labor and other related facilities to establish a complete package, while China will provide technology and investment and buy pepper from Pakistan.

 

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Agri-exports rise 13% on better productivity​

Farmers asked to adopt new technologies, look for quality seeds for further growth

Pakistan’s agricultural exports rose 13% to $5.2 billion in financial year 2022-23, thanks to improved productivity, better prices and increased demand in the global market, said the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF).

For further boosting shipments, “We may also invest in modernising our agriculture sector by adopting new technologies, enhancing water management, improving seed quality, expanding cultivated land for high-value crops, strengthening linkages between processors and growers, and providing incentives for agro-processing,” it said.

PBF Vice President Jahan Ara Wattoo emphasised that foreign direct investment (FDI) in corporate farming had the potential to greatly benefit the agriculture sector by staving off the threat of food insecurity besides meeting food staple needs of people.

Speaking to a delegation of progressive farmers, Wattoo said Pakistan was in dire need of FDI to improve its foreign exchange reserves and bridge the investment gap. “Such investments are crucial for boosting the agricultural and industrial production, which can lead to job creation, increase in exports and the generation of tax revenues,” she added.

Wattoo pointed out that several countries, like India and Indonesia, went for public-private partnerships with foreign partners to ramp up local production of high-yielding seeds.

This initiative will enhance Pakistan’s crop productivity and farm income by ensuring the availability of affordable, high-yielding seeds. “Such partnerships side-step the complex and lengthy process of developing new cultivars,” she said.

Expanding the country’s cultivated area through corporate farming can also increase oilseed production, which will save a huge amount of foreign exchange.

 

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Pakistani Pavilion dazzles at Sichuan agricultural expo​

By Waseem Bloch
Oct 27, 2023

CHENGDU – The Pakistani pavilion was unveiled as the guest of honour at the 9th Sichuan Agricultural Expo held at Chengdu, on Friday (Oct 27).

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was graced by dignitaries including Pakistani Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque, Dr. Farheed Iqbal, secretary of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), and acting consul general of Pakistan in Chengdu, Agha Hunain Abbas Khan.

Addressing the ceremony, Haque underscored the close cooperation between Pakistan and Sichuan, and lauded the province’s economic and societal advancements, particularly in the agricultural realm.

The pavilion showcased Pakistan's rich agricultural heritage, featuring distinctive handicrafts, fresh produce, and other agricultural products. The exposition also painted a picture of Pakistan's captivating natural scenery, portraying a promising land of agricultural abundance and opportunities.

Beyond the exhibit, the Pakistani Consulate in Chengdu organised complementary sessions focusing on the agricultural sector's investment and financial viability in Pakistan. These activities portrayed a fertile ground for furthering agricultural collaborations, extending an olive branch for deeper engagements between Pakistan and Sichuan.

The four-day expo, a confluence of agricultural achievements and innovative technologies, witnessed participation from 20 countries and 31 provinces of China, with over 3000 enterprises marking their presence.