The High Powered Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) mandated to oversee strategic measures for ensuring food security in the country, held its second biannual meeting on 10th April, 2018 under the chairmanship of Mr. Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research. Besides participations of senior officers of the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, the meeting was attended by the Provincial Agriculture Departments, State Bank of Pakistan, ZTBL, National Fertilizer Development Center (NFDC), Pakistan Meteorological Department, Indus River System Authority and member, Food Security & Climate Change of Planning Commission of Pakistan. It was informed that after endless efforts, this Ministry succeeded to retrieve the subject of cotton and NFDC in the domain this ministry and fruitful results will be achieved for agriculture sector in future. While reviewing the performance of the Rabi crops (2017-18), the Committee observed that wheat production for 2017-18 is estimated at 25.41 million tons from an area of 8.76 million hectares. Coupled with the last year’s left over stock of 1.0 million tons, the total availability of wheat will be about 26.41 million tons which is well over & above the total national requirements. The committee was informed that the Gram production for 2017-18 has been estimated at 375.6 thousand tons from an area of 973.1 thousand hectares. The committee also discussed the production achievements of other essential crops like Lentil, Potato, Onion and Tomato. The Committee fixed the production target (2018-19) of sugar cane at 68157.0 thousand ton overran area of 1161.1 thousand hectares. The FCA held detailed deliberation over the production targets for essential Kharif crops 2018-19 and decided to fix 14.37 million bales of cotton production target from an area of land 2955.0 thousand ha whereas fix 6931.5 thousand tons production target for Rice over 2805.0 thousand ha of land. The targets for other crops such as Maize, Mung, Mash and Chilies were also fixed. Pondering over the availability of agricultural inputs for Kharif crops (2018-19), the committee was informed that due to high temperature sufficient water is expected to be available in reservoirs. For Kharif 2018-19, the water availability in canals head will remain 62.03 million acres feet (MAF) as against average usage of 69.4 MAF. It was informed that there will be 33 % shortage of water in early Kharif and 11 % in late Kharif. However at present all the provinces are getting their indented supplies in the system. Meteorological Department informed that winter season snow cover was 20-25% less than long-term average. However, the rain fall during April-June 2018 will be less than normal, while the temperature is expected to remain 1-20 C warmer than the normal. It is estimated that during this Kharif season crop will remain under stress to shortage of water. Keeping in view of current scenario there is a need to use water judiciously. The Committee was informed that the availability of Rice and Maize seed will be 85% and 80% 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 and the disbursement up Feb-2018 is Rs: 570.0 billion which is 57.0% of overall annual target of 1001 billion which is 39.4% higher than the disbursement of 409 billion made during last year. The FCA appreciated the positive impact of fertilizer subsidy scheme which contributed to high yield and noted that the supply of Urea and DAP fertilizers was satisfactory for 2017-18 Rabi Season. Due to local production and available stock, the supply position of Urea will remain comfortable. Subjected to uninterrupted supply of natural gas to fertilizer manufacturing Plants located at SNGPL. However, import of DAP needs consideration to avoid any deficiency. It is also informed to the committee that at present Pakistan has produced surplus wheat, rice, maize, mung, potato, onion, tomato, sugar, kinnow and various other fruits and vegetables. Pakistan has also exported its agro-products to all over the world, significantly. In the end, the Committee expressed satisfaction over the food security situation in the country however, emphasized the need for research & development as well as better coordination to consolidate the gains and ensure further progress of the sector. *-*-*-*
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