ISLAMABAD: Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan has proposed to use public-private partnership as a mechanism for sustainable agricultural intensification in the country.
Addressing a two-day International Workshop on "4R Nutrient Stewardship for Food, Economic and Environmental Security" here, the minister appreciated the efforts of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and expressed his interest to replicate the activities in rest of the provinces of Pakistan (KPK and Balochistan).
He emphasized to develop a nutrients stewardship frameworks and manual on 4R (Right fertilizer at the Right rate at the Right time in the Right place),nutrient stewardship for the farming community of Pakistan.
The workshop was organized by FAO in partnership with Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and US Department for Agriculture (USDA), said a statement issued here on Saturday.
The workshop was a part of an ongoing effort by USDA and FAO for soil fertility management and promoting sustainable agricultural intensification in Pakistan.
Chairman, PARC Dr. Nadeem Amjad highlighted that the imbalanced fertilizer use and high fertilizer prices are the major constraints to achieve good crop yield.
He emphasized that 4R nutrient stewardship can help to decrease the cost of production and enhance nutrient use efficiency.
FAO Representative to Pakistan Patrick T. Evans highlighted various issues concerning Pakistan agriculture and mentioned that the population pressure in Pakistan requires great attention to sustain the available agricultural resources in Pakistan.
He briefed that FAO is working on a baseline atlas of current soil fertility practices, disaggregated by farm size and cropping systems in Pakistan to understand required soil fertility management changes for sustainable agricultural intensification and to fill the yield gaps by balanced use of fertilizers.
FAO Soil Expert, Dr. Waqar Ahmad gave a detailed presentation on the project overview and objectives of the workshop.
He highlighted the significance of the fertilizer use assessment at the farmer gate level, and the important role of public private sectors to enhance quality produce.
President, International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI), Dr. Terry Roberts emphasized the balanced nutrient inputs considering "4Rs" should be promoted for sustainable food, economic and environmental security.
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