Pakistan can take advantage of Chinese experience to ensure food security as China is feeding around 21 per cent of the world population by just bringing four per cent of the total global area under crops. They are producing 400 kg of grains per capita against 170 kg per capita available in Pakistan.
These remarks were made by the Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Association (PASA) Chairman Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, while speaking to members of the Agriculture Journalists Association here on Monday. He pointed out that even in Bangladesh and India per capita availability of grains was higher than Pakistan as they produced around 295 and 200 kilograms, respectively.
He was of the view that instead of looking towards the USA; Pakistan should join hands with China for increasing its agricultural productive efficiency as both countries had similar land holdings and farming practices, with the exception of research. He indicated that China had developed an effective agriculture research system, which aided her in increasing its farm output. In addition, if Pakistan cooperates with China it can exploit the huge Chinese market, he maintained. Cheema highlighted that China was willing to help Pakistan in developing its agriculture sector, which was the lifeline of our domestic economy. He indicated that even the Chinese government was willing to set up a state-of-the-art ‘Technology Display Centre’ in Pakistan, which would be win-win situation for both countries.
Responding to a query, he underlined that China was even ready to offer grant for setting up display centre in Pakistan, but it was concerned that the money disbursed for the project should be utilised transparently and the project could remain sustainable. He urged the government to guarantee transparency and sustainability of the project. PASA Chairman said that he recently attended a two-day conference in China on the invitation of Chinese government, which discussed ‘potential of cooperation between China and South East Asian countries in Agriculture’. He disclosed that prior to this conference he also had the opportunity to visit United States on an official invitation to study their agriculture and farming practices.
Drawing comparison in Pakistan and other South Asian countries’ agriculture, he said he believed that problems related to farming were almost identical. Highlighting the major issues, he pointed out that non-availability of hi-tech seeds (hybrids and genetically modified); poor quality and high priced irrigation water (high PH and inefficient pumping from grounds); non-existence of food storage and processing facilities; and little mechanisation especially with small farmers were major impediments in the development of agriculture in the country. He pointed out that in China, land holdings were small like Pakistan, so they had developed small machineries and even had such machines which could be utilised by owner of one acre of land.
He said Chinese hybrid seed technology could be utilised for producing more grain in Pakistan. Under this head, he said there should be genetic material exchange, joint breeding in Pakistan as well as in China, commercial production of hybrid seeds in Pakistan, joint production in Pakistan to reduce seed cost and transfer of technologies in seed processing. He said that both countries could also jointly work in efficient pumping and application of irrigation water, production of energy efficient electric motors and their marketing in Pakistan and treatment of water to reduce salt (PH). Cheema underscored that China could also help in solar energy technology. Pakistan is a country of 180 million inhabitants and sunshine is available for 10-14 hours a day for 330 days a year.
