Romke Wustman, renowned Dutch expert on food security stated on Monday that potato consumption has grown significantly in Pakistan over the last decade and more than 99 per cent of farmers grow potatoes from non-certified seeds.
In his special lecture on ‘Food Security and Need for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in Crop Production,’ organized jointly by Sustainable Development Policy Institute and the Embassy of Netherlands, he said ensuring uses of technology at all stages of production, which includes storage as well, can improve economic benefit to farmers and other stakeholders. Charge d’ Affairs, Embassy of the Netherlands RenatePors was also present at the occasion.
According to press release, Romke Wustman said that market oriented production based on stakeholder’s wishes gives feedback to breeders and researchers. This leads to good agricultural practices, which needs specific demands from processes and retailers.
Choosing the right variety, which is resistant to disease and other attacks and using minimum amounts of fertilizer and herbicides is the key to maintaining Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), Romke Wustman said. He said, developing crop rotation system controls soil borne pests. Developing Potato cysts resistant varieties backed by decision support system can have a good impact.
Wustman said, use of Nitrogen fertilizer can be rationalized by using modern technology like a GPS. He maintained that minimum lethal dose of herbicides should be used for weed control.
Decision support system (DSS) is instrumental in bringing about success. Measuring temperature, humidity rainfall, radiation and characteristics of wind are also important.
Postharvest storage facility and breeding for the next cycle complete the chain.
Renate Pors, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Netherlands, explained the context of the public diplomacy initiative and the Netherlands commitment to food security.
She said that the Netherlands had high agricultural productivity and expertise in associated technologies and solutions, which they were sharing with Pakistan through these seminars.
The agricultural sector sustains the livelihoods of 45% of Pakistan’s population, according to FAO. Potato, the fourth most important crop by volume of production, has become an increasingly important crop for both farmers and consumers in Pakistan.
