Pakistan lagging behind in wheat productivity
Officials advocate adoption of modern farming techniques.
FAISALABAD:
Pakistani farmers are lagging behind in wheat productivity compared with other wheat producing countries.
According to speakers at a seminar on “Research and Development in Agriculture”, organised by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) on Monday, Pakistan obtains 2,170 kilogrammes per hectare (kg/ha), while India, China and France are obtaining 2,578 kg/ha, 3,667 kg/ha and 7,603 kg/ha, respectively.
On the occasion, chief guest, UAF Acting Vice Chancellor, Dr Muhammad Ashfaq underlined that production of wheat was below potential, and stressed on adoption of new farm machinery to enhance production to meet domestic requirements and earn foreign revenues through exports.
Ashfaq emphasised on the need to spread knowledge, and informed that the university had organised the Golden Jubilee Celebration, a series of international seminars, for the purpose.
Speaking on the topic, Dr Rae Niaz said increased education will bring prosperity, coupled with green and industrial revolutions. He added that efficient selection and utilisation of all means of production such as water, seeds, and fertilisers can contribute stigmatically towards profit maximisation.
Dr Jahangir Khan Sial stressed the need to use the best quality of available seeds, and urged farmers to increase efforts on research in order to increase agricultural produce.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2011.
Pakistani farmers are lagging behind in wheat productivity compared with other wheat producing countries.
According to speakers at a seminar on “Research and Development in Agriculture”, organised by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) on Monday, Pakistan obtains 2,170 kilogrammes per hectare (kg/ha), while India, China and France are obtaining 2,578 kg/ha, 3,667 kg/ha and 7,603 kg/ha, respectively.
On the occasion, chief guest, UAF Acting Vice Chancellor, Dr Muhammad Ashfaq underlined that production of wheat was below potential, and stressed on adoption of new farm machinery to enhance production to meet domestic requirements and earn foreign revenues through exports.
Ashfaq emphasised on the need to spread knowledge, and informed that the university had organised the Golden Jubilee Celebration, a series of international seminars, for the purpose.
Speaking on the topic, Dr Rae Niaz said increased education will bring prosperity, coupled with green and industrial revolutions. He added that efficient selection and utilisation of all means of production such as water, seeds, and fertilisers can contribute stigmatically towards profit maximisation.
Dr Jahangir Khan Sial stressed the need to use the best quality of available seeds, and urged farmers to increase efforts on research in order to increase agricultural produce.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2011.