Latest agro-techniques need opted by the farmers to yield quality rice crop and implement sustainable measures to mitigate losses which occur due to the non-application of preventable devises. Experts opined this while addressing a seminar on pre/post harvest technology and export marketing of rice arranged under the auspices of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) held at Bahawalnagar.
In his inaugural address, TDAP Officer Hasnain Haider said rice was the third most valuable export of Pakistan and to give boost to this sector, adding TDAP was endeavouring to educate rice growers and its exporters by conducting seminars and workshops and focuses on facilitating them to upgrade international health, safety and quality certification, packaging and quarantine requirements.
According to the spokesperson of the TDAP, Agronomist Sohail Rasheed highlighted different aspects related to seed treatment and selection, land preparation and crop establishment through seeding and transplanting. He mentioned various threats that must be countered in order to have a successful harvest. Shahbaz Mustafa, Research Officer spoke on the threats and methods to counter rice pests and diseases. He proposed methods to counter these diseases including pre-sowing seed treatment, proper water management and copper based supplements to standing crops. Dr Ghulam Abbas, Rice Botanist, observed that it was absolutely essential that new varieties of seed be introduced in order to improve yields.
Sheikh Mahmood Iqbal, DDO Agriculture Extension, Bahawalnagar, shared his field expertise on the paddy blast and neck blast disease of rice. Chaudhary Munir Ahmed, District Officer Agriculture Extension, Bahawalnagar thanked TDAP for holding this informative seminar on the subject of rice cultivation. Speakers stressed the need that in the rice cultivated areas, grading/packaging storage facilities need to be established and one window operation for export of rice need to be initiated to facilitate and give boost to rice exports.
