Latest news with #IftikharAliSahoo
Express Tribune
21 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Early cotton sowing on 850k acres completed
As of January 15, total cotton bales in the country amounted to 9.313 million compared to 14.25 million in the corresponding period of last year. PHOTO: FILE Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo has said that all available resources are being mobilised to achieve the provincial target of producing 5.5 million cotton bales this season. Chairing a meeting at the MNS Agriculture University on Saturday, he said cotton had been sown on 3.2 million acres in Punjab, and through a special campaign, early sowing on 850,000 acres had been achieved. According to the secretary, cotton picking equivalent to 800,000 bales has been completed and field reports suggest that the crop condition is "highly satisfactory". He directed cotton inspectors to keep accurate records of seed cotton and processed bales at ginning factories, adding that female labourers would be trained for clean cotton picking. "At this crucial stage, any negligence in guiding farmers will not be tolerated," he stressed. Sahoo said scientists have been tasked with developing climate-smart and mechanically harvestable cotton varieties. He announced that an attractive package is being introduced for the upcoming wheat crop, while an interest-free loan facility worth Rs30 million is being offered to promote high-tech agricultural machinery. He said 2,000 newly graduated students will begin field activities next month.
Business Recorder
02-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Rice-sowing target surpassed
LAHORE: Rice farmers in Punjab have surpassed the provincial agriculture department's sowing target of 5 million acres by cultivating rice on 5.8 million acres so far—registering an increase of 0.8 million acres. Improving both the quantity and quality of rice production is essential to boost rice exports to USD 5 billion, said Punjab Secretary for Agriculture, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, while addressing a meeting of the Provincial Committee on Rice Crop Management at Agriculture House here on Friday. He noted that the establishment of a Eurofins Laboratory would serve as a milestone in enhancing rice export potential. A complete ban has been imposed on the use of prohibited agrochemicals (pesticides) on paddy crops, he added. The Secretary also urged the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan to play a more active role in promoting mechanized cultivation and harvesting practices. To support this effort, interest-free loans are being provided to farmers and service providers for the purchase of high-tech agricultural machinery. On the occasion, he directed relevant officials to ensure that farmers receive proper guidance on effective crop management. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
26-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Efforts afoot to achieve target of 6m cotton bales
LAHORE: Field formations across Punjab are being further mobilized to achieve the provincial target of 6 million cotton bales. Technical committees established at the division, district, and tehsil levels are actively playing their role in ensuring proper crop care. Furthermore, 42 Farmers' Facilitation Centres have been set up to provide quality and affordable pesticides to the cotton growers. These views were expressed by Secretary Agriculture Punjab, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, while presiding over a review meeting on the current cotton crop situation. He stated that the cotton crop has entered a crucial stage of growth and boll formation, and the next 60 days are extremely important. Therefore, field formations must intensify efforts for cotton crop management. He emphasized that no negligence or delay in providing technical guidance will be tolerated at this sensitive stage. Farmers should be informed about nutrition and pest management according to expert recommendations. Achieving higher per-acre yields and better cotton quality remains a top priority. He also directed that a special campaign be launched to promote clean cotton picking. He expressed satisfaction with the field reports and remarked that the current status of the cotton crop is encouraging. On the occasion, Secretary Agriculture Punjab directed concerned officials to maintain a daily record of farmers' visits and pesticide purchases at the Farmers' Facilitation Centres and ensure that pesticides are available at prices lower than market rates. The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Agriculture South Punjab Sarfraz Hussain Magsi, Director Generals of Agriculture Department Punjab Chaudhry Abdul Hameed, Naveed Asmat Kahloon, and Dr. Amir Rasool, among other officers. Additionally, Director General Research Dr Sajid-ur-Rehman, while Director General Crop Reporting Dr Abdul Qayyum, and Agriculture Department Consultant Dr Muhammad Anjum Ali and other officers participated online. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
25-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab, China agree to boost agri cooperation
LAHORE: The Punjab Agriculture Department on Thursday hosted a high-level consultative session with representatives of 18 leading Chinese companies to enhance collaboration in agriculture between China and Punjab. The Chinese delegation, led by Guo Yuguo, included prominent companies such as Weifang Shengchuan, JOTEC, Weichai Lovol, PAISET, and SAIC. The meeting took place at Agriculture House, Lahore, and aimed to explore joint initiatives in agricultural mechanisation, smart farming, and digitalisation. Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani and Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo welcomed the delegation and reiterated the province's commitment to modernising its agricultural sector. In his address, Minister Kirmani said the Punjab government, under the vision of the chief minister, is offering subsidies on modern machinery and launching leasing schemes to revolutionise agriculture in the province. 'China is a global leader in agri-tech, and Punjab is keen to benefit from its expertise,' he said, inviting Chinese investment in local agriculture. He described Punjab as the 'food basket of Pakistan' and underscored the importance of adopting advanced farming technologies. Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo noted that all possible resources are being mobilised to ensure farmers have access to modern machinery. He lauded the Chinese companies' presentations and called the session 'highly informative.' He added that the Government of Punjab, through the Bank of Punjab, is offering interest-free loans to farmers for purchasing modern equipment. Major General Shahid Nazir (retd), Director General Strategic Projects, emphasised the government's focus on providing advanced harvesters, drones, and precision tools under the Green Pakistan Initiative. He stressed the value of Chinese expertise in agricultural engineering and smart farming to propel Punjab's growth. During the session, Chinese company representatives gave detailed briefings on a wide range of agricultural machinery, from small-scale tools like power tillers and mini harvesters to large-scale equipment such as combine harvesters and multifunctional tractors. Smart technologies, including IoT-enabled devices and autonomous tractors, were also introduced. The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Agriculture Agha Nabeel Akhtar, Additional Secretary (Admin) Ijaz Munir, Director Generals Agriculture (Information) Naveed Asmat Kahloon, Ch Abdul Hameed, Engineer Sajid Naseer, and Project Director Dr Anjum Ali. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
25-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
China urges acceleration of agri-reforms under CPEC
Listen to article China, Pakistan's neighbour and longstanding economic partner, is pushing for an agricultural revolution in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab, under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, despite structured plans and repeated diplomatic backing, implementation remains slow due to bureaucratic hurdles in Pakistan's agriculture sector. While Beijing is eager to help modernise Pakistan's farming practices, delays from local departments and ministries continue to hinder progress. Chinese officials have long viewed Pakistan, and Punjab in particular, as a key partner in building sustainable agricultural value chains to meet China's rising food demands. In recent years, successive Chinese ambassadors to Pakistan have called agricultural cooperation a win-win opportunity. Yet, despite the diplomatic goodwill and planning, ground-level execution in Pakistan has failed to keep pace. A recent visit by a delegation of Chinese agri-tech firms to Agriculture House in Lahore was the latest effort to energise bilateral cooperation. The delegation, led by senior company executives, met with Punjab's Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, and Secretary Agriculture, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo. Kirmani said Punjab must now embrace technology-led farming. "We believe the time is right for Punjab to step forward and modernise agriculture," he said. "Our government has introduced leasing schemes and subsidies to make modern equipment accessible to farmers. We are also working to expand partnerships that will help bring investment and innovation to the province." He said Punjab's central role in Pakistan's food supply chain makes it critical to adopt solutions that increase yields and reduce labour-intensive practices. Sahoo agreed and added that an enabling environment is being developed for farmers. "We have rolled out interest-free loans through the Bank of Punjab for farm machinery. We're also easing access to modern tools that boost productivity." Yet, the wider transition to modern farming techniques in Punjab has seen limited traction. Dr Khurram Safdar, an agro-economist from Faisalabad, said institutional flaws are to blame. "We're offering technology but ignoring farmer education, extension services, and infrastructure. Without these, adoption stalls," he said. Progressive farmer Amir Shehzad from Sahiwal echoed that concern. "The equipment is too expensive, and there's little guidance on how to use it," he said. "Most farmers aren't tech-savvy. Without practical support and training, even a subsidy won't convince a small farmer to buy a digital machine." China's interests, meanwhile, go beyond machinery exports. In the long run, Beijing hopes to import value-added products like halal meat, fruits, vegetables, and grains from Pakistan. With a population of over 1.4 billion, China is seeking diversified food sources, and Pakistan, with its fertile land and agri-base, has potential to meet part of that demand. "China wants to build long-term agri-supply chains, not just sell tractors and harvesters," said Muhammad Saleem, an agribusiness expert in Lahore. "If Pakistan upgrades its food processing and quality certification systems, it could unlock billions in exports, not just to China but also the Middle East." According to the TDAP, the country's agricultural exports stood at $8 billion in FY24. Punjab contributed over 60% of key crops including wheat, rice, maize, and sugarcane. However, less than 10% of these are processed or packaged for global markets. In the livestock sector, Pakistan exported $512 million worth of meat in FY24, despite producing over 5.5 million tonnes. Safdar said the missing link is post-harvest infrastructure. "Pakistan has the capacity but lacks cold chains, food safety certifications, and logistics. These are pre-requisites to meet Chinese import standards," he said. "The recent visit by Chinese firms shows interest from Beijing is intact. The recent visit by Chinese firms is a clear indication that interest from Beijing is still strong", he said, warning that "unless institutional inefficiencies are addressed and reforms are implemented at the ground level, Pakistan risks missing out on a strategic opportunity to boost its agricultural economy and exports. Technology, credit, and training must reach the farmer, not just sit on paper."
