Experts urge to add cropping area

LAHORE: Experts have urged for addition in cropping area as the yield gap in the four major crops of Pakistan is three times more than the best producers in the world, such as China and Egypt.

They were talking at a seminar on ‘High Value Agriculture’ arranged at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Wednesday.

LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid said area under cultivation for important crops accounted for 23.85 percent of the value-added in overall agriculture, with wheat accounting for 9.6 percent and cotton 10.67 million bales. For the sake of increasing the share of agriculture sector in GDP, the existing area of cultivation had to be increased on war-footing, he added.

“There are many developing countries like Pakistan which are encouraging corporate farming and are also fostering high-value agriculture that includes vertical farming, hydroponics, and aquaponics,” he said, and urged the government to help farmers in acquiring these technologies at affordable prices.

Mian Shaukat Ali said agricultural sector lacked graduates in agricultural studies, and added that had they worked for the development of this sector seriously it would be beneficial for the country.

Use of modern techniques and technologies in agriculture was the need of the hour which carries equal significance for both the businessmen and the men of science and technology, the participants said. APP

Agriculture was the main source of livelihood for 42.3 percent of total labour force despite the fact that agriculture mechanization in Pakistan was very limited.