Islamabad, September 16, 2021 (PPI-OT):Annual review and planning meeting, Rabi, 2021-22 was organized by PARC’s PSDP funded Project “Promoting Research for Productivity Enhancement in Pulses” at NARC. Representatives from all the seventeen research and extension components jointly working under this project took part in the activity.
The participants presented their respective Kharif activities 2020-21 and gave a comprehensive plan for Rabi 2021-22 Dr. Muhammad Mansoor briefed overview of the project achievements and future endeavours thereof. Federal Minister, Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS and R), Mr. Fakhar Imam physically glorified the event as chief guest.
Syed Fakhar Imam, while expressing his views, said that the government is willing to take steps for promoting pulses production in the country if strategies like this are brainstormed and implemented in true letter and spirit. He further added that the proposed buyback mechanism will be profitable for the farmers and will surely entice the farmers to cultivate pulse commodities. The Federal Minister on NFS and R ensured his complete support for getting self-sufficiency in pulses production.
Talking about the triumphs of the project, Dr. Mansoor told that before the commencement of project, national mung bean production was 133,000 tons. However, during the first year (2019-20) of project activities, like certified seed distribution of high yielding varieties, conduction of farmer’s trainings/field days/workshops for dissemination of improved production technology and demonstration plots, mung bean yield jumped to 209,000 tons.
During the current year (2021-22), first estimate shows the mung bean production as high as 253,000 tons, whereas national mung bean requirement is around 180,000 tons which means that the country will have surplus production of mung bean for the first time. Dr. Mansoor also explained pulses buyback mechanism with indicative prices.
The idea was wholeheartedly accepted and lauded by the participants. Mr. Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Food Security joined the meeting via Zoom application. He expressed that firstly this will be a sigh of relief for the farmers as they will be getting fair share of their produce which was previously being compromised due to undue interference of the middle man.
Secondly, it will be economical for the consumer as he will be getting pulse commodities on lower rates. Mr. Cheema congratulated the Chairman, PARC and Project Director, PSDP, Pulses for devising such strategy and said that the farmers will undoubtedly cultivate pulses once they are sure of getting the remuneration they deserve.
Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan Chairman PARC in the meeting remarked that PARC has achieved better productions results through pulses project. The Chairman also discussed the challenges in pulses production and way forward, the prevailing yield gap between progressive farmer’s yield and the national average and the potential areas for specific pulses crops.
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