FAO, Ministry hold workshop

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research convened a one-day workshop on "contribution of balanced use of fertilisers towards food security," here on Wednesday. Main purpose of this workshop was to discuss the significance of balanced fertilisation and soil health in sustainable agriculture and food security. Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, the United States Department for Agriculture and International Potash Institute also co-operated.
The workshop promoted the use of appropriate balanced inputs and 4Rs (Right fertiliser at the Right rate at the Right time in the Right place) Nutrient Stewardship in partnership with the private sector, including fertiliser and seed companies (FFC, Engro, ICI, and Pioneer Seeds Limited), wholesalers/retailers, farmer associations and academia. The participants of the workshop also assessed the use of fertiliser management practices at farm gate level with special focus on maize.
FAO is conducting a series of such workshops across the country to promote the use of balanced fertilisers and the slogan of 4 Rs Similar workshops have been conducted in Multan, Karachi and Lahore this year for the cotton, mango and rice growers. This workshop brought together more than 70 participants from the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, National Fertiliser Development Centre, provincial Agricultural Maize and Millet Research Institute, Information and Extension departments, academia, fertiliser industry, farmer associations, ICI, seed companies and research institutes and FAO to share experiences, case studies and initiatives.
The inaugural session was chaired by Dr Nisar Ahmad, former chief National Fertiliser Development Centre, Planning Commission of Pakistan. In his address to the participants he emphasized on the significance of 4Rs Nutrient Stewardship for sustainable agricultural intensification in the country with special reference to the Maize production.
Dr Ahmad, Soil Expert FAO gave a detailed presentation on the project and objectives of the workshop and the significance of the fertiliser use assessment at the farmer gate level, and the important role of public private sectors to enhance quality produce. "FAO is working on a baseline atlas of current soil fertility practices, disaggregated by farm size and cropping systems in Pakistan. The atlas will help to understand required soil fertility management changes for sustainable intensification. Consequently, appropriate balanced inputs and 4Rs would be promoted. It is imperative to include farmer's experiences in devising fertiliser management strategy for sustainable crop production," he added.
The speakers from the public and private sector talked about fertiliser use practices, impact on crop productivity and environment. The maize growers also expressed their concerns about the commodity prices. It was noted that the farmers are keen to adopt the philosophy of 4Rs, however, spiralling cost of fertiliser and their commodity prices are the prime concerns. The gap exists between the recommendations given by different institutions as well as those practices by the farmers. The consensus was that this information on 4Rs should be compiled, synthesised, and disseminated to the farming communities. The overall role of FAO in bringing together farmers, commodity experts and academia was appreciated by the maize-potato growers and the private sector.