February 6, 2012

Pakistan achieves food grain record output

Due to the provision of maximum facilities to the farmers, a record production of wheat, rice, corn, potato and sugarcane has been achieved in the province, Provincial Minister for Agriculture Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh has said.

He said that wheat production which was one crore 56 lakh tonnes in 2007-08, rose to one crore 84 lakh tonnes in 2008-09 and one crore 79 lakh tonnes in 2009-2010, reached the figure of one crore 90 lakh tonnes in 2010-11 which is a record in the history of the province. Similarly, the rice production which was 32 lakh 86 thousand tonnes in 2007-08 rose to 36 lakh 43 thousand tonnes in 2008-09 reached the record level of 37 lakh 13 thousand tonnes in 2009-10.

In 2010-11, 33 lakh 84 thousand tonnes rice was produced. A record production of four crore 28 lakh tonnes sugarcane has been achieved in 2011-12. He further said that a record production of 29 lakh 59 thousand tonnes corn and 33 lakh 40 thousand tonnes potato was achieved in 2010-11.

In reply to a question, the Agriculture Minister said that due to suspension of supply of gas to urea factories, a crisis was created and the urea price which was PKR850 (US$9.39) per bag last year rose to PKR1,800 (US$19.89) per bag while DAP was sold at PKR4,100-4,200 (US$45.31-46.41) per bag. He said that despite repeated reminders of Punjab government, the federal government started late import of fertiliser which resulted in a severe shortage of urea in the country.

He said that during Rabi 2011-12 in the months of October, November, December and January, only 15 lakh 11 thousand tonnes urea remained available as compared to the total need of 19 lakh tonnes while three lakh 87 thousand tonnes DAP remained available as compared to the total requirement of five lakh 59 thousand tonnes.

This situation caused a serious impact on production of crops. He said that some people due to their lack of knowledge about agriculture sector present the performance of provincial government in a negative manner.

The Minister further said that provision of 20 thousand tractors to cultivators is a milestone in mechanised farming. Similarly, promotion of tunnel technology, subsidy on agricultural implements, reduction in the rent of bulldozers, brick linings of water courses, introduction of drip and sprinkler irrigation and other measures are reflective of farmer-friendly policy of Punjab government.