Chinese model of nutrient management system proposed

The Vice President of Qingdao Agricultural University, China, Dr Yuan Yongbing has said that the Chinese model of nutrient management system can help Pakistan get optimal yields out of lesser agriculture land. Dr Yuan Yongbing said this during his meeting with Pak-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Wang Zihai and Vice President Moazzam Ghurki here on Monday. The delegation led by Yongbing also included Prof Shan Hu, Prof Mr Zhu Jun and Dr Gao Ting.
The delegation's meeting was aimed at introducing the Chinese nutrient management system in the agriculture sector of Pakistan. They were of the view that Pakistan being an agricultural country with vast arable lands is still unable to exploit its maximum potential, particularly due to lack of modern infrastructure, conventional cultivation procedures and low-quality chemicals and fertilisers that badly affects the yield per hectare.
Dr Yongbing said that China has only 10 percent arable land and has the challenge to feed 20 percent of the world's population. "With the help of nutrient management system which was devised by the Chinese agriculture experts, we are able to get higher yields from minimum land," he said.
He also briefed the PCJCCI office-bearers about the utilisation of non-hazardous, eco-friendly and pesticide-free microbial compound fertilisers which are effectively used in China to enhance cultivation yield. Similar microbial fertilisers should be introduced in Pakistan to get maximum yield from the fields, he added.
Dr Yongbing said that following increase in population, development of industrialization and rapid urbanization, China is expected to face huge demand-supply gap due to limited agriculture resources.
According to him, the developing countries with agro-based economies could benefit from this situation by creating their stamp in agro-products. China is ready to collaborate with Pakistan for providing all modern agriculture facilities including equipment, experts, and researchers, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, PCJCCI President Wang Zihai briefed the delegation about the prospects available for investors in the agriculture sector and assured his full co-operation.
Chamber's Vice President Moazzam Ghurki gave a presentation and said the agriculture sector contributes about 24 percent of the GDP and employs 47 percent of the workforce. A number of sub-sectors of the agriculture have either remained static or registered decline during last three decades with the exception of livestock.
Therefore, there is considerable scope for improvement in production and in the processing of primary output, he added. The government is supportive in development projects and took measures to improve agricultural productivity and increase the per acre yield, Ghurki added.
The PCJCCI also facilitated delegation's meetings with the officials of Agriculture University, Faisalabad, Punjab Agriculture Department, University of Animal Sciences, University of Veterinary Animal Sciences and Institute of Animal Health.