Balkasar area Canola to be cultivated over 12,000 acres

Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB), the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC) and the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) have decided to cultivate Canola over 12,000 acres of Balkasar area. This decision was taken at a meeting hosted by the PODB recently at its head office to discuss "Canola Cultivation Campaign in Potohar Area". The campaign is being jointly run by the NARC, PODB and the NRSP.
Sources told Business Recorder here on Friday that keeping in view the good moisture conditions because of recent rains, the meeting decided to commence the canola cultivation campaign immediately in Balkasar area by NRSP and claimed all arrangements have been finalised in this regard. The meeting was also informed that NARC has arranged the portable oil expelling unit to process the canola oil from available stock and next year's produce.
The meeting was presided over by Dr Muhammad Azeem Khan, Director General, NARC and Syed Muhammad Nasir Ali, Managing Director, PODB. Dr Muhammad Shahid Masood, Member (Plant Sciences), PARC joined the meeting as chief guest. Senior officials of NARC, PODB and NRSP attended the meeting.
The PODB Managing Director Syed Muhammad Nasir Ali gave a brief presentation and apprised the participants that PODB is a specialised organisation in development and promotion of oil seeds and its experts will be fully involved in canola cultivation campaign. He presented the proposal of countywide restoration of PODB for resumption of oilseed development activities in the country. The proposal of countywide restoration of PODB for encasement of oilseed crops and oil bearing-trees was fully supported by all the participants of the meeting.
The PODB managing director presented a home scale edible oil refining techniques for dissemination in the farming community. The meeting discussed various aspects of canola cultivation campaign including availability of hybrid seed in cluster areas, drills, technical brochures, demo plots, seed distribution mechanism and collaboration with provincial Agriculture Extension departments. Focal persons from all organisations participating in the campaign were also nominated.
The meeting also decided to launch effective promotional campaign through print and electronic media. Seed will also be provided to Agricultural Research and Extension departments for distribution among growers. The meeting also decided to take solvent industry onboard in canola plantation to build confidence of farmers for marketing of canola on premium price.