Meeting of the Federal
Committee on Agriculture was review of Kharif
crops and production plan
for Rabi (2017-18) was held on under the
Chairmanship of Mr. Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister for National
Food Security & Research. The meeting had participants from Provincial
Agriculture Departments, State Bank of Pakistan, ZTBL, National Fertilizer
Development Center (NFDC), Pakistan Meteorological Department, Indus River
System Authority and senior officers of the Ministry of National Food Security
& Research. Chairman PARC, D.G. NARC and heads of Ministry’s attached
departments viz., Agri. Policy Institute, Federal Seed Certification & Registration
Dept., Pakistan Oilseeds Development Board, Department of Plant Protection,
Federal Water Management Cell and Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services
Corporation (PASSCO) also participated in the meeting.
The
Committee reviewed the performance of the Kharif crops (2017-18) and
deliberated upon production and availability plan for Rabi crops
(2017-18). The emphasis of the dialogue
was to ensure food security in the country by making the essential food items
available at affordable prices as well as ensuring the profitability of the
famers. The issue of import substitution
and promotion of export of agricultural produce also remained in focus. The Committee thoroughly examined the availability, quality and cost of
agricultural inputs for Rabi crops (2017-18).
The
Committee was informed that sugarcane production for 2017-18 had been estimated
at 81.4 million tons from an area of 1.312 million hectares. The Rice
production for 2017-18 was estimated at 7.3 million tons from an area of 2.88
million hectares. The Maize production
for 2017-18 was estimated at 5..3 million tons from an area of 1.24 million
hectares. It was heartening to note
that the country achieved self-sufficiency, rather exportable surplus in major
crops by surpassing the targets both in terms of area under cultivation and
Production. The committee also pondered
upon the production profile of essential minor crops of Rabi season like Gram,
Potato, Lentil, Onion, Tomato and chilies to ensure supply demand equilibrium.
The
Committee fixed the production target (2017-18) for wheat 26.46 million
thousand ton on an area of 8.95 million hectares. The FCA proposed to rationalize the area of
wheat and enhancing the production of pulses, oilseed and other high value
crops. In order to benefit from available
export avenues for potato the Committee agreed to the production target of 3.81
million tons from an area of 0.17 million hectare. The targets for other crops
such as gram, lentil, tomato, onion and chilies were also fixed by FCA.
Meteorological
department informed that monsoon rains from July to September, 2017 remain 25%
below average in the country. Monsoon rains stopped in August and September was
dried. It was informed that 10-15% less
rain will be expected than the average during October to December, 2017 whereas
two to three spells of moderate rainfall are likely in KPK, AJK, GB and North
Punjab. Met department informed that temperature will gradually and
snow/glacier melt contribution to reservoirs will decline. Keeping in view the expected reduced
rainfall the IRSA advisory Committee anticipated short fall of 20% in
availability of water in 2017-18.
(Continued
P/2)
-2-
The said shortfall will be passed on Punjab
and to Sindh provinces which are major user of water while KPK and Balochistan
will remain exempted from adverse effects of
shortages. During the ensuing Rabi season, provinces will be allocated 29.5 MAF of water whereas last year
it was 29.7 MAF. It was further anticipated that prevailing weather conditions
are not promising and shortage may extend to 25%. However, position will be
reviewed in the first week of November, 2017. It was further informed that
shortage will be managed accordingly.
The
Committee was informed that the availability of wheat and Maize seed would be
35.49. % and 58% respectively of the total seed requirements.
The
representative from State Bank of Pakistan informed that allocations of
institutional credit for agriculture had substantially increased to Rs. 1001
billion for 2017-18. During the July-August the agri, lending institution have
disbursed agri loans 97.6 billion which is 9-7% of annual target of 1001
billion. The Chair emphasized enhanced financial support to small provinces and
efficient utilization of the available credit portfolio.
The
FCA also noted that the supply of Urea and DAP fertilizers was satisfactory for
2017-18 Kharif Season. The supply of Urea will remain comfortable during Rabi
season 2017-18 due to enhanced local production and sufficient stock position.
However, availability of DAP may witness slight deficiency for the reason of
low local production and import by private sector. Ministry of NFS&R was
directed to make preemptive measures for ensuring sufficient availability of
all requisite fertilizers at reasonable prices.
The Committee reiterated
its advice to PARC and provincial research system for proactive role in variety
development & crop diversification, availability of improved seed.
*******
