Food security through wheat productivity in Pakistan
2007
Abbas, M. (Ayub Agricultural Research Inst., Faisalabad (Pakistan). PARC Technology Transfer Inst.) | Sheikh, A.D. (Ayub Agricultural Research Inst., Faisalabad (Pakistan). PARC Technology Transfer Inst.) | Shahbaz, M. (National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad (Pakistan). Range Research Inst.) | Afzaal, A. (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan). Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology)
The food security is the prime goal of any nation. The food security indicates access to food for all and its timely availability. Wheat is the major staple food in Pakistan. Domestic production had been fluctuating and generally it is lower than the consumption and the rest was imported. Therefore, a sound wheat policy seems imperative for food security. In order to meet country's wheat requirements, there is a dire need to adopt innovative technologies, stimulate management and policy front to enhance the productivity. The present study is based on secondary data coupled with primary data gathered from government agencies and farm level survey in Punjab. The study was carried out to explore the factors affecting wheat productivity in the country. The data revealed that majority of the farmers grow wheat late, which pushes the yield down. It was also found that average wheat yield reduction was 1.5 tones/hectare during the year 2002-03 over the year 2000 and further declined 0.6 tone/hectare in the year 2004 in the study area. However the yield increased to 0.7 tone/hectare in the year 2005 as compared to the year 2004, but below the 2000's year's level. Most of the small farmers reported no use of weedicides, lodging, hailstorm in area, attack of aphids/rust, heavy rain in March 2005 and poor management, respectively were the main factors, causing low wheat productivity during the year 2002-03 through 2004-2005 in the study area. The wheat self-sufficiency is the pre-requisite for the sustainable food security. The food security can be secured through increasing, especially targeting small farmers' productivity and putting emphasis on major wheat-growing districts.
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