Sunflower cultivation has been completed over an area of 644,110 acres against the set target of 735,000 acres fixed for 2004-05. According to official sources on Friday, sunflower cultivation in the country is proceeding and the targets set for the crop are well within the reach, and the record production of crop for last year has already been surpassed by 12 percent. Sunflower has got special attention of farmers in Sindh due to its less water requirement, short crop duration and higher profitability.
An area of 452,770 acres has been brought under cultivation. It is 29 percent higher over the target of 350,770 acres in the Sindh province for 2004-05.
Sowing is still in progress in some parts of Sindh due to recent rains. In Punjab, an area of 180,340 acres has been cultivated with Sunflower so far against the target of 350,000 acres. Sowing will remain in progress till the last week of March in Punjab.
Keeping in view the momentum, it is expected the target of 735,000 tons will be easily achieved and set a new record of sunflower cultivation in the country.
It will yield about 180,075 metric ton edible oil. In monetary terms, it amounts to Rs 8,038 billion at current prices.
Target of canola cultivation (280,000 acres) for the year 2004-05 has also been exceeded by 3 percent. Canola was cultivated over an area of 288,351 acres against the target of 280,000 fixed for 2004-05. About 60,554 metric ton of edible oil of worth Rs 2,333 billion will be produced from canola at current prices.
This was made possible by aggressive campaign of Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB), good co-operation received from Seed Companies, and provincial governments.
For the last three years, PODB is putting great efforts to make sure that oilseed growers face no marketing and other problems. All Pakistan Solvent Extractors Association (APSEA) announced a minimum price of Rs 670 per 40 kg for sunflower last year.
The actual price paid, however, was much higher and ranged between Rs 670 to Rs 800 per 40 kg. For the current year negotiations are in progress with APSEA to announce minimum price for sunflower.
They have agreed to announce a minimum support price of Rs 690 per 40 kg for sunflower subject to certain policy decisions of the government. The matter has already been taken up with the government.
However, currently the market is very favourable and in Sindh, the growers are receiving Rs 700 to Rs 765 per 40 kg of sunflower produce and hopefully there will be no marketing problem in Punjab also at the harvest time.
Keeping in view the favourable environmental conditions and prevailing local market prices of sunflower produce, it is safe to forecast that area under oilseed crops will increase in the coming years.
However, to sustain the current momentum and achieve the objective of self-sufficiency in edible oil, it needs to be imparted policy priority. Fixed policy for the next five years on the subject would greatly encourage growers and the solvent industry.
Comments
Comments are closed.