Pakistan faces 1.4m wheat shortfall

Decrease in yield likely to aggravate flour crisis in coming months.

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan is facing a shortfall of 1.4 million tons of wheat because of a decrease in yield, a development that is set to aggravate the existing flour crisis in the coming months.

The Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) was informed about the impending crisis during a meeting held on Wednesday to review the Khareef season.

The wheat production target last year was set at 27 million tonnes. This year, there is a shortfall of 1.4 million tonnes and 79.95% procurement target has been achieved.

Speaking during the meeting, Federal National Food Security and Research Minister Syed Fakhar Imam stressed the need to increase wheat production.

“We need a breakthrough in high-yield wheat variety through genetic engineering,” he added.

“Our country has the best irrigation system which is not being used properly. Wheat is grown on 36% of the country’s cultivated area.”

Food Security Commissioner Dr Waseem informed the participants of the meeting that after many years, the country had exceeded the chickpea production target at 540,000 tonnes.

“This year, there will be saving of Rs87 million as there will be less chickpea import,” he added.

The potato production this time is 4.43 million tonnes against 4.4 million tonnes last year. Balochistan recorded a bumper crop of tomato this year.

Imam said there was a need to increase the production of oil seeds (sunflower, canola, rosehip and mustard).

The Indus River System Authority representative informed the participants of the meeting that there would 9% more water available for Khareef season this year.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) representative said Potohar and Kashmir region would receive heavy rainfall in the next three months that could be devastating for crops.

The State Bank representative told the meeting that 95% target of agriculture credit would be achieved this year.

The rice production target is 7.9 million tons this year, maize 6.7 million tons, moong lentil 140,000 tons and black (mash) lentil 10,300 tons.

The food security commissioner asked the participants to update participants about status of last year’s FCA meeting decisions.

The official of the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSC&RD) said they was working on mechanism for the production of lentils and fodder seed in Balochistan and met with three companies in the province.

A representative from Balochistan informed the participants that the provincial agriculture department was working on it and needed support from the FSC&RD.

A mechanism for delegating FSC&RD powers to provinces to inspect seed at distribution level was It was also discussed.

The PMD said weather forecast was provided to farmers on a daily basis.

Dr Falak Naz, the DG of the Department of Plant Protectio, briefed the meeting about white fly insecticide products.

Imam said white flies were becoming resistant to insecticides so more sophisticated products were needed.

The federal minister also directed the authorities concerned to create awareness among growers about the international protocols for the export of fruit and vegetables.