ISLAMABAD: The government targets bountiful harvest of summer crops, like rice, sugarcane and maize during this year in the wake of heavy rainfall that has left the soil moist and topped up reservoirs. The Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA), in a meeting, fixed production target of 68.03 million tons for sugarcane from an area of 1.14 million hectares and 6.9 million tons for rice from an area of 2.84 million hectares for Kharif season (April-October). Chaired by the Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, the meeting is set to have 4.61 million tons of Maize and 0.1 million tons of Mung during 2015/16. “The production of crops during 2014-15 remained satisfactory and there is no issue of shortage; however the profitability of the farmers has reduced, especially because of international crude oil and commodity prices,” Bosan said, addressing a news conference after the meeting of FCA. Wheat production for 2014-15 was estimated at 25.03 million tons (against the revised target of 25.48 million tons) from an area of 9.17 million hectares. Gram crop production was estimated at 429,900 tons against the target of 500,000 tons. “However, it (output) will be sufficient for meeting the country’s requirement,” he said. Minister Bosan said the recent heavy rains and hailstorms in various parts of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the factor behind the missed targets. In some areas, harsh weather affected crops’ yield. “In the upcoming budget, the ministry will suggest the government to take practical steps for reducing cost of production for the farmers to benefit them,” he said. The FCA committee meets bi-annually and fixes the crops production for Kharif and Rabi (winter) crops. The committee meetings had not been taking place since 2010 and they were resumed recently after the involvement of the finance ministry. The minister said, “We have exported a record 350,000 tons of Kinno this year, against the last few years’ average of 225,000 tons.” Regarding mangoes export, he said the European Union has banned Indian mango import, while Pakistan is confident to get sizable orders. Interception in exports of mango consignments to Europe has reduced to zero in 2014 as against 279 in 2013, as the government has taken strict measures to address the complaints and send super quality abroad, he added. The provincial agriculture departments’ representatives emphasised that adequate supply of urea and phosphate fertilisers must be ensured during Kharif’s crop plantation to achieve the set targets. The minister said sufficient water will be available during the season, adding that situation of reservoirs and snowfall is satisfactory during the current winter. The Pakistan Meteorological Department, citing the Indus River System Authority data, said the water levels in the reservoirs were better this year as compared to the last year. The department foresees the better rain prospect in all parts of the country. A total of 2.74 million tons of urea will be available in Kharif 2015. This includes 151,000 tons of stocks, 39,000 tons of imported supplies and 2.55 million tons of local production. During this season, urea off-take will be 2.9 million tons. There will be available 490,000 tons of DAP (Diammonium phosphate) against an expected requirement of 600,000 tons. Imports by private sector will bridge the demand-supply gap. Pesticide availability during the winter season was reported satisfactory. The official further said the government asked the Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation to procure 0.6 million tons of wheat to have a sufficient buffer stock. Punjab government will procure 4.5 million tons, Sindh 0.9 million tons, KP 0.3 million tons and Balochistan 0.1 million tons at the procurement price of Rs1,300/40-kilogram. A bank’s representative informed that agriculture credit allocation has substantially been increased.
