FAISALABAD:
Pakistan is lagging far behind in adopting tunnel farming technology which can substantially increase production of high-value agricultural crops and boost incomes of farmers, says University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad.
Talking to a delegation, headed by College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan President Dr Zafarullah, the vice chancellor said tunnel farming required a certain temperature in the tunnel for growing vegetables cultivated in different seasons. “This technique is also helpful in the development of floriculture, which has vast scope for exports,” he said.
Though Pakistan does have some features of a tropical climate the lack of a value chain and marketing are the main hurdles in agriculture. According to estimates, the country loses 20 to 40 per cent of its crop yield in post-harvest handling.
Dr Zafarullah saw a good scope for tunnel farming, which could bring revenues, raise the standard of living of farmers and reduce poverty.
However, he said common farmers were unaware of modern agricultural practices which increased productivity manifold.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2012.
COMMENTS (6)
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another reason people dont adopt drip irrigation in pakistan is the fear that thieves will steal the drip pipes. i know farmers that have that fear. its not just technology that we need to adopt, but also values from other countries. as a society we dont place a lot of value in self improvement. if we did, we could open up so many more opportunities.
These people need to get out of their offices and see the reliality. To set up a tunnel farm on one acre cost over 200,000. And it takes life time for a poor farmer with 3 or 4 acres of land to svae that much money. And the big farmers like Prime Minister and Presedient of Pakistan have a lots of easier ways to make money. So they are not intrested in tunnel farming.
I think its about time that we in Pakistan aggressively introduce the modern tecniques of farming.Water drip tecnique and tunnel farming if used, could greatlyimprove the quality of life for framers.Grope discussion be launched in villages where modern way of farming be taught by experts to farmers.Such farming could also be introduce through Eletronic media.
If the farmer are taught the tecnique and provided with the basic funding for the tunnels at a large scale, the farmers would adopt tunnel farming. It is very good in areas where there is shortage of irrigation water. The tunnels help trap lot of humidity in it thus the soil does'nt dry up due to evaporation as compared to bare soil.
What about water drip technology farming? Any progress there?
errr..........why do you have a picture of what looks like rice fields in an article about tunnel farming?