Capacity building project for potato growers launched in Punjab

February 25, 2021

Supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, during two and a half years the project is meant to help increase productivity and sustainability of 960 smallholder potato growers by delivering a comprehensive training and extension program in four core districts of Punjab (Sahiwal, Okara, Kasur and Pakpattan), with special focus on strengthening the role of women. The project will be implemented by the Center for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) and leading Dutch agricultural institute Wageningen University & Research (WUR).

Food security is a growing concern

The launch was attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam, CABI Senior Regional Director Asia Babar Bajwa and Pakistan Farmers Associates President Afaq Tiwana. CABI Director Strategic Partnership Ms Janny Vos and WUR Research Manager Ir. Herman Schoorlemmer virtually participated in the event. In his welcome remarks, Dutch Ambassador Wouter Plomp said that food security is a growing concern globally, especially in the region of the project, due to impacts of climate change and rapid increase in population. ‘Meeting up with nutritious food demand is a challenge for Pakistan, and the Netherlands has the knowledge, technology and skills to help Pakistan overcome these challenges. For instance, Pakistan imports 13.000 metric tonnes of seed potatoes from the Netherlands per annum’, he added.

Government committed to strengthen agricultural sector

The Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research appreciated the support of the Dutch government in building the capacity of farmers, and expressed the commitment of the government in strengthening the agriculture sector as it is the backbone of Pakistani economy. Acknowledging the achievements of the Netherlands in agriculture and being the second largest exporter of agri- products, the minister hoped the Pakistani farmers will acquire techniques and skills to enhance their productivity.

Great growth potential

According to CABI, potato is a major crop in Pakistan with great potential to grow. ‘It presents both the prospect of revenue increase for producers as well as opportunities as a source of foreign reserve by increasing exports’, the center mentions in its news article on the launch of the project. ‘The primary issue for potato growers is the availability of healthy and certified seed. Yields in the Punjab province of Pakistan is approximately 20t/ha, which is comparable to China. But this is well below yields in Europe, North America and Australia – all having yields of more than 40t/ha. This project will help build the capacity of potato farmers in Punjab to not only use better-quality seed but to also engage in enhanced post-production practices such as better handling, storage and transport systems’, Dr Bajwa mentioned.

You may also be interested in:

Agritechnica focus on trends in potato technology

From 12-18 November Agritechnica takes place in Hannover, Germany. During the event there is a main focus on potatoes. Dr. Rolf Peters presents his vision on trends in potato technology. He states that potato growing has required a particularly high degree of flexibility from farmers in this year’s growing season due to the intensive change…

The efficiency of overhead irrigation for potato crops

Irrigation with sprinklers, rain guns, center pivots or linear systems – as opposed to furrow and drip irrigation delivering water under the canopy – distributes water overhead, much like natural rainfall does.

The advantages of drip irrigation in potato cultivation

Of all irrigation practices, furrow irrigation loses most water through drainage and also loses more nitrogen through leaching than other irrigation practices. Drainage through deep percolation on the other hand is an advantage as it avoids accumulation of salts at the surface. Besides, erosion is considerable as the water flow to some extent always transports…

Potato Association of America to showcase industry advances during annual meeting

The annual meeting of the Potato Association of America (PAA) is scheduled to take place from July 23rd to 27th, 2023. PAA members, potato researchers and industry partners will gather in Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island. ‘We look forward to welcoming the PAA family to Prince Edward Island for the first time since…