Expert calls for technological advancements in agri sector

PESHAWAR: Agriculture expert and former secretary of the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB), Khan Faraz, has stated that there is a need for biotechnology and genomics, digital agriculture, smart water management, and organic and regenerative agriculture to enhance agricultural production in the country.

“Pakistan is an agricultural country, and agriculture is the mainstay of the country’s economy. While its direct contribution is approximately 23 percent, its indirect contributions are upwards of 45 percent,” he said.

He said that the agriculture sector must move towards sustainability and nature positivity, adding that Pakistan should strike a balance between economic compulsions and ecological limitations.

Khan Faraz mentioned that Pakistan’s wheat production stands at 3.35 million tons. “The advent of Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s Green Revolution marked a transformative era. By 1982, our wheat output quadrupled, reaching an impressive 12 million tons. Similarly, in 1960, rice production amounted to 2.24 million tons. With the introduction of Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s ‘Green Revolution,’ our rice production experienced a remarkable surge. By 1982, it had increased by 140%, reaching a substantial 5.37 million tons,” recalled the former PTB secretary. He identified four key drivers behind Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s Green Revolution: high-yielding varieties, fertilisers, pesticides, and irrigation.

“It is worth mentioning that high-yielding varieties produced more grains per plant, and the use of fertilisers significantly boosted the growth and productivity of wheat and rice crops. Chemical pesticides were introduced, and effective control of pests and diseases contributed to the overall increase in wheat and rice production,” opined Khan Faraz.