A target for canola output was fixed at 129,000 hectares in the recent meeting of Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (POBD) for 2005-06 as part of canola cultivation campaign. Sources divulged on Wednesday that the target fixed was 14.3 percent above last year target.
Perennial problems faced in the sunflower production has forced the government to promote canola cultivation, sources said pointing out that sunflower sowing clashes sowing of cash crops including sugarcane, cotton and rice, due to which growers are shy from growing sunflower.
Sources said that the decision to boost canola production comes in the backdrop of continued efforts on part of the government to enhance indigenous edible oil production.
Sources pointed out that the optimum cultivation time for sunflower is July 15 to August 15 for Kharif sowing, which limits the area available for sunflower because major Kharif crops like cotton, sugarcane and rice occupy most of the farm lands during this period. Kharif sunflower crop matures in October/November.
The short days cause problems in sunflower crop drying, harvesting and threshing and high moisture in seed reduces the sale price of the crop, as standard requirements of procurement are 8 percent moisture and 2 percent inert matter. During the autumn crop sometime moisture increases up to 40 percent.
Therefore, its disposal becomes very difficult and Kharif sunflower crop has generally low yield as compared to spring crop thus it does not remain profitable, sources explained.
The local oilseed production is being affected for several reasons including non-availability of quality sowing seed at economical prices. International prices of edible oils particularly palm oil directly affect our growers.
The production technology gaps (knowledge dissemination) and marketing system needs improvement, as traditional farmers prefer to grow traditional crops. Low yield and natural factors like untimely or excessive rains or droughts.
The PODB has also been advocating a long-term policy framework for oilseed sector, which should remain in place for at least 5 years.
Sources maintained that in order to ensure price stabilisation, duty structure for RBD oil palm and soybean oil needs to be linked with fluctuation in international prices of edible oils and oilseeds in such a way that local growers may get a minimum of Rs 750 to Rs 800 per 40 kg for sunflower and canola produce.
Sources said that for this purpose the duty structure may be reviewed at the time of harvesting of oilseed crops as the ECC in its meeting held on 4-11-2002 had decided that 65:35 ratio of hard and soft oil may be enforced in producing ghee. Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) have not enforced this decision.
The stakeholders asked the government to allow only those units to import palm oil/olein, which undertake the blending ratio of 65:35 in ghee manufacturing.
The multinational seed companies presently are not involved in local production of sunflower and canola hybrids and varieties.
The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) in its latest meeting of federal agriculture called for strengthening Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB) by way of manpower and finances to deal with their objectives.