Pulses, edible oil: billions of rupees can be saved by increasing per acre productivity: VC UAF

The country is importing pulses and edible oil worth billions of rupees that can be saved by increasing per acre productivity and promoting its cultivation to attain self sufficiency, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar. He was talking to four-member foreign delegation led by Aussie scientist Richard Trethowan from University of Sydney Australia.
Dr Iqbal Zafar stressed upon the need to take measure to promote pulses and edible oil among the farming community. He said that the country was blessed with four seasons, fertile land, and ecosystem which were suitable for growing numerous crops. There is the need for diversification in agriculture.
Talking about pulses, he said pulses import stood at Rs 100 billion during the previous fiscal year. The grams imports touched to Rs 44bn in the 2016-17 fiscal year whereas, mash imports stood at Rs 7.2bn and dried peas at Rs 25bn.
Talking about edible oil imports, he said the country imported 1.98 million tones edible oil worth Rs 152.514 billion during the last financial year 2016-17 from July to March, whereas edible oil local production during 2016-17 was provisionally estimated at 0.446 million tones. Therefore, edible oil total availability was standing at 2.426 million tones.
Richard Trethowan from University of Sydney Australia suggested that the subsidy can be offered to farmers at the government level on pulses and edible oil that will help not only become self sufficient but also earn foreign exchange.
Talking about wheat, he said that they are working on project of hybrid wheat with Pakistani scientists that will help ensure food security. He added that joint efforts in the area of research and technology transfer among the both countries scientists will bring tangible results.
UAF Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization Director (ORIC) Director Dr Zahir Ahmad Zahir said that UAF was running Rs 277 million projects with Australia.