Experts urge promotion of edible oil cultivation
Pakistan imports edible oil worth billions of rupees while crops that can be used for local production are ignored.
LAHORE:
Pakistan has had to import edible oil worth billions of rupees as crops used for local production have not been given due importance, The Express Tribune has learnt.
In 2009-10, out of a total 2.905 million tons of edible oil available in the country, 0.662 million tons were produced locally while 1.782 million tons were imported in the form of palm oil and olien and 0.461 million tons were extracted through crushing of imported oilseeds. Out of the total available oil, 2.614 million tons were available for domestic consumption while 0.291 million tons went to the industry for manufacturing of soaps, lotions and other items.
Experts of the Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB) explained that with the right strategy, the amount being spent on edible oil and seed imports can be saved to enhance domestic production of sunflower and canola crops.
They were of the view that a comprehensive crop procurement plan by the government can ensure marketing security to farmers and wholesalers. They said that the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock’s efforts to launch awareness programmes and campaigns to encourage sowing of sunflower and canola crops may result in self-reliance in the edible oil sector.
Explaining the shortcomings, the experts said that Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) cotton had primarily replaced sunflower crops in southern Punjab over the last few years. “It is unfortunate that farmers were not informed about inter-cropping of sunflower and BT cotton,” said Mohammad Abbas Bhatti, Assistant Director Technical and Field Operations PODB. Another PODB official said that the board has forwarded a summary for improvement in cultivation of oilseed crops. He explained that the summary demanded release of funds by the government for purchase of new machinery to overcome a 40 per cent loss caused by old machinery.
He said that a price surge of around 80 per cent in international markets has made it necessary for the agriculture ministry to ensure domestic cultivation of oilseed crops that could bring revenues and reduce imports.
An official of the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock, said that the summary has been forwarded to the finance ministry for the approval of funds.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2011.
Pakistan has had to import edible oil worth billions of rupees as crops used for local production have not been given due importance, The Express Tribune has learnt.
In 2009-10, out of a total 2.905 million tons of edible oil available in the country, 0.662 million tons were produced locally while 1.782 million tons were imported in the form of palm oil and olien and 0.461 million tons were extracted through crushing of imported oilseeds. Out of the total available oil, 2.614 million tons were available for domestic consumption while 0.291 million tons went to the industry for manufacturing of soaps, lotions and other items.
Experts of the Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB) explained that with the right strategy, the amount being spent on edible oil and seed imports can be saved to enhance domestic production of sunflower and canola crops.
They were of the view that a comprehensive crop procurement plan by the government can ensure marketing security to farmers and wholesalers. They said that the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock’s efforts to launch awareness programmes and campaigns to encourage sowing of sunflower and canola crops may result in self-reliance in the edible oil sector.
Explaining the shortcomings, the experts said that Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) cotton had primarily replaced sunflower crops in southern Punjab over the last few years. “It is unfortunate that farmers were not informed about inter-cropping of sunflower and BT cotton,” said Mohammad Abbas Bhatti, Assistant Director Technical and Field Operations PODB. Another PODB official said that the board has forwarded a summary for improvement in cultivation of oilseed crops. He explained that the summary demanded release of funds by the government for purchase of new machinery to overcome a 40 per cent loss caused by old machinery.
He said that a price surge of around 80 per cent in international markets has made it necessary for the agriculture ministry to ensure domestic cultivation of oilseed crops that could bring revenues and reduce imports.
An official of the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock, said that the summary has been forwarded to the finance ministry for the approval of funds.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2011.