By Shafqat Ali

 

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (Gwadar pro)- Pakistani Federal Minister of National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam said on Friday afternoon that the upcoming years will be highly successful for the Pakistani agriculture sector thanks to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

 

The minister chaired the Wheat Review Committee meeting on the issue of crop sowing position 2020-2021. The meeting was conducted with the provincial counterparts to monitor the ongoing sowing of wheat crops in the country.

 

Fakhar Imam was briefed by Punjab agriculture minister Hussain Jahania Gardezi that Punjab stood at 95% sowing against the target of 16.2 million acres.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Fakhar Imam maintained that Pakistan was looking forward to benefitting from the second phase of the CPEC which focuses on the agriculture sector.

 

He hoped that with the Chinese help, Pakistan will be able to achieve new targets in the field of agriculture as China had a proven record in the agri sector.

 

Fakhar Imam was briefed that Sindh stands at 76% of the assigned target which is 2.97 million acres. While Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands at 75% of the assigned target area which is 2.2 million acres.

 

Similarly, Balochistan stands at 68% of the assigned target area which is 1.36 million acres.

 

Fakhar Imam mentioned that the purpose of the meeting was to ensure progress is monitored in order to ensure that the assigned wheat crop targets are met.

 

He stressed that the sowing period is the most critical period for a wheat crop and any issues arising should be catered to timely to stay on track.

 

The minister emphasized that a few parameters have been established to ensure that wheat crop sowing is monitored effectively.

 

Fakhar Imam contended that these parameters include but were not limited to wheat sowing area and a completion percentage of the assigned target, sowing method (Drilling or Broadcasting), quantum of fertilizer used during sowing practices, fertilizer off-take, certified seeds used, seed varieties used during sowing (old or new rust tolerant wheat varieties), availability status of herbicides and fertilizer availability and pricing status.

 

Representative of Pakistan Meteorological Department Syed Mushtaq apprised the meeting that lower than normal rainfall is expected in December and January.

 

He predicted that the trends will become normal in February.

 

Fakhar Imam praised the efforts of Punjab agriculture minister Hussain Jahania Gardezi in ensuring that the farmers sow wheat seeds timely. The Punjab Minister briefed Fakhar Imam that the provincial government of Punjab conducted numerous seminars to create awareness in addition to partnering with five agricultural universities of Punjab to mobilize agricultural students in ensuring proper sowing of wheat seeds.