[🇵🇰] Pakistan Agriculture Updates

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Pak-China Alliance Drives Upgrading of the Agricultural Material Industry​

By Saira Iqbal | Gwadar Pro
Jan 26, 2024

Islamabad, -In January, a Chinese delegation led by Ningbo Feidoodoo E-commerce Company, the agricultural material e-commerce platform under IBI Guolian, visited Pakistan to explore collaboration opportunities with Pakistani agricultural material companies.

The delegation held productive discussions with representatives from Auriga Group, Agrow Limited, NF Biotech and Sayban Group, etc, marking a significant milestone in China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation. During the exchanges, Tang Zhao, Cross-border E-commerce Manager at Feidoodoo Company, emphasized Feidoodoo's development strategy based on industrial e-commerce and big data.

"Our company is committed to integrating cutting-edge technologies such as the internet, IoT, big data and AI into the agricultural industry." Tang Zhao also recognized Pakistan's abundant arable land resources and the significance of agriculture as a crucial sector, envisioning promising potential for international agricultural trade in Pakistan.

Liu Bo, Director of Cross-border E-commerce Transactions at Feidoodoo Company, added, "Feidoodoo aims to establish long-term and stable partnerships with Pakistani agricultural companies. With our expertise in digital systems, such as the platform aggregation model, intelligent supply chain, and cloud factory construction, we are well-positioned to support our Pakistani partners in overcoming operational challenges and driving comprehensive industry upgrades."

Mr. Abdul Sattar, Deputy General Manager of the R&D Department at Sayban Group, expressed the company's mission to provide high-quality products to farmers, contributing to the overall advancement of national agricultural development. “We hope that through the cooperation with Feidoodoo, we can jointly promote the digital development of agriculture and contribute to the global sustainable development of agriculture with industrial internet technology.”

As a result of the Feidoodoo delegation's visit to Pakistan, they successfully established preliminary cooperation intentions with several Pakistani companies, paving the way for future collaborative endeavors in the agricultural sector.

 

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USDA trains over seventy thousand farmers, stakeholders​

Associated Press Of Pakistan
Jan 31, 2024

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) imparted skill-based trainings to over 70,170 farmers, workers and suppliers of different crops during the past seven-and-half years across the country to enhance crop output and farm income.

The skill-development trainings were imparted through the Pakistan Agricultural Development (PAD) project to farmers, workers and suppliers of red chillies, tomatoes, bananas and dates across the 12 districts of Punjab and Sindh provinces.

The project worth $20 million, spanning over 7.5 years focused on the districts of Sheikhpure, Khanaewal, Multan, Muzaffarghar, Lorhran and Bhawlapure of the Punjab Province. The project also targeted the districts Thatta, Hyderabad/Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Mirpur Khas, Umerkot and Khairpure and improved the livelihood of about 1,215,038 individuals in these areas.

The project, which aimed to increase farm productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, improve the quality of the produce and expand trades also benefited about 7,100 women in the targeted districts and helped to enhance their income and empower them economically.

 

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Recognising agriculture’s potential​

Kamran H Mushtaq
February 26, 2024

It is ironic that the sector that provides livelihood to more than 40 per cent of the country’s workforce is so neglected. The contribution of agriculture is brushed aside by quoting just 22pc-23pc as its contribution to GDP.

Regardless of the debate on the authenticity of the figures, this percentage of 22pc-23pc cannot be seen in isolation as agriculture provides inputs to various other sectors like manufacturing, transport, storage, wholesale and retail trade etc.

A country’s economy is just like a book. It has to be read and analysed as a harmonised system where every sector is viewed holistically, and its linkages with the overall economy must be acknowledged.

More than 200 agricultural research institutions in the country are duly registered, ranging from agricultural universities to agricultural/livestock research institutions. However, the actual output of these institutions is minimal.

The institutes are supposed to be the avenues of knowledge creation, but name any agricultural institute in Pakistan, and its contribution to agricultural growth and sustainability is yet to be witnessed.

There is also an issue of scope limitation of these institutions because of less research-oriented funding. The agricultural institutes’ funding is restricted to salaries and pensions. Research grants are still viewed as novel ideas.

There is an immense waste of resources owing to a lack of coordination between the institutions. For example, if institute(s) in Sindh are researching on say some synthesised fertiliser, one must consider the chances that some institute(s) in Punjab are researching the same synthesised fertiliser.

Agricultural mechanisation is yet another unfulfilled dream. How can we keep capitalising on the green revolution of the 1960s, as that revolution was also a product of mechanised seeds and improved machinery?

Unfortunately, Pakistan has not yet produced a single tech-based seed variety that can transform the landscape of agricultural productivity. Pakistan still relies on imported tech-based synthetic seeds.

Agricultural financing is the key to improved productivity, provided the financing is provided to the real farmer with ease and speed. There is a myth about agricultural loans being provided by financial institutions in Pakistan. As it’s said, the devil lies in details; the agricultural loan, in general parlance and official discussions, mainly refers to the entire en-block financing by the banks.

In fact, a big chunk of that agricultural loan is passed on by the commercial banks to the provincial and federal food departments/authorities for the procurement of wheat. How can we equate the loan used by the state in purchasing wheat crops as a loan advanced to poor farmers for improving agricultural productivity?

The subsidy on fertiliser is another paradox. In Pakistan, the state grants subsidies on fertiliser to reduce the cost of agricultural production, but in effect, this subsidy is enjoyed by the corporate fertiliser manufacturing entities.

The state’s expense on fertiliser subsidy actually profits the fertiliser manufacturer at the altar of the farmer, as evidenced by the fertiliser crisis over the last couple of years.

Unfortunately, every sector under Pakistan’s regulatory regime performs at a lesser scale than private sectors. Justifications of equity and social protection aside, this is the reality. See the commodities with no regulation (like rice, maize in crops and poultry in livestock), their productivity sustainably increases every year (with few exceptions) without state intervention.

Another menace is climate change. The 2022 floods devastated the majority of crops in Sindh, Balochistan and Southern Punjab. Although the loss of staple crops like wheat and rice is for one year/maybe one crop season, but the orchards devastated by flood need years to recoup their productivity.

The date palm trees belt in Upper Sindh and South Punjab, which has historically been a source of earning foreign exchange through exports, is still recovering from the unprecedented devastation of the 2022 floods.

Unlike Pakistan, our eastern neighbour has invested heavily in agriculture. The Indian Punjab, though smaller in size, has higher agricultural productivity than Pakistan’s Punjab. Per hectare wheat yield is five tonnes in Indian Punjab against three tonnes in Pakistan’s Punjab when both regions face the same climatic conditions and historical legacy.

Moreover, agriculture everywhere in the world has linkages backward and forward, ie agriculture supports the industry (textile, sports, food, etc) as well as the service sector (transport, packaging, wholesale/retail trade of commodities).

Conversely, agriculture also gets boosted by the industrial and service sectors. For example, when industrial productivity increases, it provides employment avenues, and the family unit’s income increases, so now the family can spend more on agricultural land. In other words, the inflow of income in an agricultural family by virtue of industrial employment removes the bottlenecks/constraints of that family. They can now invest more (physically and financially) in agriculture to increase productivity.

The above situation demands thorough introspection. Until our agricultural sector (including livestock and dairy) is revamped, our economy cannot perform sustainably. Our ideology of defining agriculture as just a bread basket for the country needs to be replaced with identifying agriculture as an economic powerhouse of the country.

 

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Sesame cultivation grew by 187%​

Associated Press Of Pakistan
Jan 23, 2024

Owing to the well-coordinated efforts of federal and provincial governments, the sesame seed cultivation in the country during the current season witnessed unprecedented growth of 187 per cent as compared to the sowing of the corresponding period of the last year.

During the period under review, the sesame seeds were cultivated in over 399,493 hectares as compared to the cultivation of 139,400 hectares in the same period of last year, said a press release issued by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research on Tuesday.

The collaboration of provincial agriculture departments of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan has remained instrumental in attaining higher areas under oil seed production, it added.

Sesame cultivation, once confined to limited districts across these provinces, expanded from 18,000 to 135,600 hectares between 1948 and 2019, accompanied by a production increase from 6,000 to 69,600 tons during the same period.

Notably, Punjab is the leading province, contributing 95% of sesame production, followed by Sindh 2.1% and Balochistan 2.2%, it said adding that the average yield of sesame experienced a substantial increase 69% rising from 442 to 750 kg/ha under National Oilseeds Enhancement Program (NOEP).
Starting at a modest $89.320 million in 2020, the nation’s sesame exports surged exponentially, reaching $407 million in 2023.

This unprecedented growth catapulted Pakistan to the 5th position among major sesame exporting nations, with over 80% of exports being absorbed by China.

 

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Over 8.3m cotton bales reach ginneries across Pakistan, 72pc increase recorded​

The Nation
Mar 3, 2024

Seed cotton (Phutti) equivalent to over 8.3 million or exactly 8,393,090 bales have reached ginning factories across the country till February 29, 2024, recording an increase in arrivals by 72.16 percent compared to corresponding period of the last year 2023.

According to a fortnightly report of Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) released on Sunday, over 8.3 million or 8,385,752 bales have undergone the ginning process i.e. converted into bales. Cotton arrivals in Punjab were recorded at over 4.2 million or 4,278,312 bales, recording an increase in arrival by 42.79.

Sindh generated over 4.1 million or 4,114,778 bales with 118.99 percent increase recorded. Textile sector bought 7,892,085 bales while exporters purchased 292,726 bales and Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) didn’t buy during the cotton season 2023-24.

Sanghar district of Sindh topped with cotton arrival figure of 1,695,410 bales followed by Bahawalnagar district of Punjab with 1,164,491 bales. Total 56 ginning factories were operational in the country. Exactly 208,279 cotton bales unsold stock was available in ginning factories.

 

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Pakistan and Chinese Experts forge agricultural alliance​

By Staff Reporter | Gwadar Pro
Mar 8, 2024

ISLAMABAD, Mar. 7 (Gwadar Pro) - To strengthen agricultural collaboration between Pakistan and China, the Diplomatic Insight Group (DIG) has hosted a distinguished delegation from China, comprising top agricultural scientists and business leaders. This significant gathering aimed at fostering discussions on innovative agricultural practices, sustainable development, and the promotion of international agricultural cooperation.

Dr. Farhat Asif, Chairperson of Diplomatic Insight Group, and CEO Mr. Muhammad Asif Noor welcomed the Chinese delegation to their office. The delegation included Prof. Dr. He Cheng from China Agricultural University, Prof. Dr. Wang Jingyu from Northwest A&F University, and executives from leading companies like Tianjin Henrylead Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd, and Fujian Shengnong Biotechnology Co., Ltd, etc. T

he Diplomatic Insight Group's subsidiary, the Centre for Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China Studies- Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS), is already playing a crucial role in enhancing Pakistan's agriculture sector. Through organizing seminars, webinars, and conferences, and facilitating Chinese agricultural companies in Pakistan, IPDS is at the forefront of bridging the knowledge and technology gap between Pakistan and China in agriculture.

The discussion was enriched as the participants discussed the future of agriculture and livestock management, including discussions on the growth of livestock, advancements in vaccinations, and the manufacturing of dairy products like cheese.

Particular emphasis was placed on the innovation in technological and scientific methods to enhance the health and productivity of cows, buffaloes, and other livestock, showcasing a shared vision for a more sustainable and efficient agricultural future. One of the most enlightening parts of the meeting was around the implementation of advanced scientific and technological strategies in livestock management.

The experts explored the development of comprehensive vaccination programs for poultry, innovative cheese manufacturing processes, and breakthroughs in improving the health of cows and buffaloes.

These discussions highlighted the potential for significant improvements in animal welfare and productivity and emphasized the importance of sustainable practices in the global food supply chain. This meeting has laid the groundwork for future joint ventures, exchange programs, and research initiatives that promise to bring about transformative changes in agriculture and livestock management across the globe.

 

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Agricultural equipment under Green Pakistan Initiative reaches Pakistan​

By Fatima Javed

The first shipment of agricultural equipment under the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) has reached Pakistan from China via the Khunjerab Pass, despite challenging weather conditions.

The cargo includes 20 tractors, drip irrigation systems, hose reel-based irrigation systems, satellite, and drone intelligent control platforms.

Additionally, the convoy brings smart agriculture management platforms and the Internet of Things (IoT) for agriculture.

Since its inception in July of last year, GPI has been a significant part of the government's new plan for economic recovery. With Pakistan still in the early stages of industrialization, much of its existing machinery and equipment, including power plants, is due for replacement, making this initiative especially critical for the country.

GPI focuses on a variety of aspects related to forestry, wildlife, the environment, and biodiversity. Its aim is to promote sustainable practices and enhance the well-being of people across all provinces of Pakistan.

 

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Pakistan’s Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has achieved a groundbreaking feat by developing a new wheat seed that promises to revolutionize agriculture in barren lands.

This innovative seed is expected to yield 30 times more wheat than previous varieties, potentially transforming millions of hectares of unproductive land into fertile fields.

The introduction of this seed is a step towards self-sufficiency in wheat production for Pakistan and could significantly contribute to the nation’s agricultural revolution.