The Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) meeting for Kharif 2016-17 was held on 14th April, 2016 in the auditorium of M/o Planning, Development and Reforms under the chairmanship of Mr. Sikander Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research. The meeting had participants from Provincial Agriculture Departments, Pakistan Meteorological Department, State Bank of Pakistan, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL), National Fertilizer Development Centre (NFDC) and senior officers of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. Chairman, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Director General, National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) and heads of Ministry’s attached departments such as Agriculture Policy Institute, Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, Department of Plant Protection, Federal Water Management, Pakistan Oilseed Development Board, SUPARCO and PASSCO also participated in the meeting.
The Committee reviewed irrigation and weather position along with the performance of Rabi crops (2015-16) and production plan for Kharif crops 2016-17. The Committee also discussed the position of supply of agricultural inputs for the Kharif crop 2016-17.
Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has reported that in perspective of the likely scenario of increased water availability at reservoirs by 22% more than last year, therefore, the water distribution amongst provinces is shifted 67.100 MAF to 74.682 MAF with no shortage for Kharif 2016 Season
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predictions showed that slightly (20-25%) above normal precipitation is expected in NE and Central Punjab, Upper KP and Kashmir. 15-20% above normal in G.B while 10-15% above normal rain is expected over SE Sindh. Balochistan and adjoining Sindh areas would be normal. Slightly above normal 10-15% rainfall is also expected over South Punjab (cotton region). The forecast indicates that the positive temperature anomalies will prevail over the country, during the season from April-June 2016.
The availability/supply of Urea and DAP fertilizers was reported to be more than the demand, hence no shortage of fertilizers is expected during Kharif 2016-17. Similarly the State Bank reported that the agricultural credit of Rs: 600 billion is made available for disbursement to the farmers through various banks. The committee was also informed that the availability of certified seed of various crops was satisfactory.
The committee also noted with relief that supply of pesticides / herbicides would be satisfactory for 2016-17 Kharif season.
The Committee was informed that Wheat production for 2015-16 was estimated at 25.45 million tons from an area of 9.17 million hectares. The production was close to targets (25.84 million ton). The production of Gram crop 2015-16 was estimated around 306.0 thousand tons from an area of 944 thousand hectares. The production of potato crop 2015-16 was achieved at 3853.4 thousand tons whereas the production of maize, chillies and masoor were achieved.
The Committee fixed the Sugarcane crop 2016-17 production targets at 67535 thousand tons from an area of 1125 thousand hectares, compared to last year production 65035 thousand tons from an area of 1137 thousand hectares. The target for Rice crop 2016-17 production was also fixed at 6838 thousand tons from an area of 2794 thousand hectares. The target for Maize crop 2016-17 were fixed at 4607.3 thousand tons and Mung crop 2016-17 production target was fixed at 111.4 thousand tons.
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