Eco-farming: Implementing the Chinese model for productivity

PCJCCI president stresses on neighbour’s example.


Our Correspondent September 27, 2014

LAHORE:


Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Shah Faisal Afridi stressed on the increasing need for “Eco-Farming” to avoid future food crisis and asked the government to follow China’s cultivation model.


During a discussion on “Regaining Pakistani Agriculture Strength”, Afridi said the Chinese model involved using hybrid seeds, better water management, increased role of government for ensuring effective safety and support mechanism and public-private partnerships.

“China accounts for 10% of arable land, produces food for 20% of the world’s population and ranks first in worldwide farm output. They made it possible by devising different techniques to increase yield of crops by making use of nature, and farming termed as “Eco-Farming,” he said.

While explaining environment friendly and effective techniques, he gave the example of rice yield via “rice duck farming”, where ducks are raised on rice paddies and feed on pests and weed. This means that farmers do not have to use earth and water-ravaging chemical pesticides or herbicides.

“Duck droppings are an excellent natural fertiliser to rice plants. Growing two or more crops in proximity helps reduce disease outbreaks. Such a technique reduces loss from rice blast disease, caused by a destructive fungus that damages panicles and leaves, before rice grains form,” informed Afridi.

Pakistan’s per hectare rice yield is 3.1 tons, whereas China is the largest producer of rice with per hectare yield of 6.5 tons. Similarly, Pakistan produces pulses per year with per hectare yield of 0.6 tons and China produces 1.2 tons per hectare. Pakistan’s sugarcane production is 52.4 tons per hectare whereas China obtains a yield of 65.7.

Highlighting the severity of food crisis, Afridi said the price of items such as vegetables, chicken and meat had increased by more than 20% in just one month, thus making half of the population ‘food insecure’.

“This means that 50 percent of the population is taking fewer calories recognised for average human need,” he said, adding that if the government fails to come up with new policies, this crisis could worsen.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2014.

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