Report to help farmers in kharif season launched in Punjab

Describes situation of different crops within specific geographical boundaries

The Punjab Food Outlook report for the kharif season was launched on Monday. The first-of-its-kind report was prepared with technical support provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

The report was created by following along the lines of FAO’s Global Food Outlook. The objective was to provide estimated gaps between consumption and production and provide information requested by the Punjab government.

The report would be instrumental in strengthening national capacities to manage and utilise food security related information. It shows trends, fluctuations in production, the cropped area and yield. It also predicts production and prices, thereby allowing all stakeholders to make more informed decisions.

When conducted properly, a food outlook analysis is useful for preventive actions to anticipate upcoming shocks or take advantage of new or growing opportunities.

Following the first Punjab Food Outlook Report for rabi 2018-19, the current report is prepared for the upcoming kharif 2019-20 period for crops of rice, cotton, maize (autumn), and sugarcane.

These crops make up 70% of the total area under cultivation in Punjab. Pakistan FAO representative Minà Dowlatchahi said it was important to review the findings of this report to reach solutions based on evidence and better understand crucial factors small farmers face.

She stated this undertaking was linked with setting up a national food security and nutrition information system to provide an outlook and enhance forecasting capacities to support evidence-based policymaking.

“It will eventually help reduce poverty and improve food security and nutrition in Pakistan.” Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Minister of Agriculture Malik Nauman Ahmed Langrial termed the report as an impetus to agricultural development in Punjab.

The area for cotton cultivation is predicted to increase by 3.85% overall. The land on which maize and rice are grown are to decrease by 5.85% and 1.06%, respectively. Within the category of rice, basmati rice is expected to jump by 1.3% while and irri-rice is forecasted to decrease marginally by 0.9%. Based on historic values, these estimations do not depict a drastic change from their previous trends.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2019.