In the wake of alarming situation of pandemic Covid-19, and lockdown announced by the provincial governments and start of Kharif Season 2020, the Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R) has asked all the four provinces to exempt the outlets/supply chain of agricultural inputs (pesticide/fertilizer/seed) during the said lockdown to ensure timely availability of agricultural inputs.
A letter issued by the MNFS&R written to the chief secretaries of all the provinces said it is requested that outlets/supply chain of agricultural inputs (pesticide/f ertilizer/seed) may be exempted during the lockdown to confirm timely availability of agricultural inputs and their application in the field.
"This will ensure the food security in the country and to meet estimated production target of all crops," the letter added. According to the sources, the Directorate General Agriculture (Extension &AR) Punjab had also approached the Secretary Agriculture Punjab on this subject requesting that the home department may be asked for inclusion of seed, pesticides and fertilizer shops in special category with food, health and other essential services to allow these working.
The letter said that planning for planting Kharif crops had already been started and procurement for seeds, fertilizers and pesticides was increasing with the rise in demand for spring crops - corn, sugarcane and vegetables. There are reports of closure of agriculture input shops in Punjab in the wake of recent upsurge of COVID-19.
The letter apprehended that this closure may prove detrimental to farm productivity, especially under inclement weather conditions. Commenting on this decision of government, a farmer and climate professional Aamer Hayat Bhandara said as a farmer he can really feel the problems the agriculture farming sector would face during the COVID 19 lockdown. "Wheat is near maturity and half of the corn is in the field and half is about to sow after potatoes.
If there is a lockdown and inputs - fertilizer, pesticides and seeds are not available - all the supply chain of food items would be disturbed. I have advocated at many platforms that our wheat yield is already facing decline due to the unexpected rains in March and now if it is not treated with rust-free chemicals and harvesting is not done it will challenge the food security in Pakistan."
"Potatoes are still in the fields, most of the corn crop is younger than a month and desperately needs fertilizer and chemicals to raise till the grain. On the other hand, unavailability of seed and inputs will surely disturb the sowing of next rice.
It is a good decision to ensure the food supply chain in the country but on the other hand the government also needs to work and discuss with potential stakeholders to strategize the harvesting of wheat particularly in areas where it is done manually by hand of labour. What will happen if section 144 is imposed and labour is not available to harvest the mature wheat crop?" he wondered.
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