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Cabinet officials

Pakistan's Agriculture Sector Sees Significant Growth in Crop Production

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) met recently to discuss the current state of Pakistan's agriculture sector. According to officials, all major crops of the Kharif season, including cotton, rice, maize, and sugarcane, have witnessed significant growth in production, surpassing their set targets. The committee was informed that cotton output increased by 10.8%, sugarcane by 8.7%, and rice production grew by 5.8% during the current Kharif season. Local cotton production for 2021-22 is estimated at 9.37 million bales, while sugarcane production is expected to reach 87.67 million tons. The meeting also discussed the production targets for Rabi crops, including wheat, gram, potato, onion, and tomato.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cotton output increased by 10.8% during the current Kharif season, with local production estimated at 9.37 million bales from an area of 1.9 million hectares, a 19.8% increase over last year.
  • Sugarcane production is expected to reach 87.67 million tons from an area of 1.27 million hectares, showing an increase of 8.7% and 8.2% in area and production, respectively, over the last year.
  • Rice production grew by 5.8% during the current Kharif season, with production estimated at 8.84 million tons from an area of 3.5 million hectares, a 5% increase in area and 5.0% increase in production over last year.
  • Maize production is estimated at 9.0 million tons from an area of 1.4 million hectares.
  • The FCA fixed the production target for Rabi crops (2021-22) at 28.9 million tons for wheat, 559 thousand tons for gram, 6028 thousand tons for potato, 2421 thousand tons for onion, and 621 thousand tons for tomato.
  • The seed availability for Rabi Crops was discussed, and the DG, FSC and RD informed that certified seed availability for Rabi, 2021-22 will remain according to requirement.
  • The mung bean production for 2021-22 is estimated at 267.6 thousand tons from an area of 294.7 thousand hectares, showing a 27.3% increase in area and 30.8% increase in production over the last year.
  • The Rabi Advisory Committee has anticipated a shortfall of 28% in crop production for Rabi 2021-22, due to prevailing weather conditions and water stress in rain-fed areas.
  • The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has assigned an annual indicative agricultural credit disbursement target of Rs. 1,700 billion for FY 2021-22, a 24.5% increase over last year's disbursement of Rs. 1,366.0 billion.

Statistics:

  • Cotton output increased by 10.8% during the current Kharif season.
  • Sugarcane production is expected to reach 87.67 million tons from an area of 1.27 million hectares.
  • Rice production grew by 5.8% during the current Kharif season.
  • Maize production is estimated at 9.0 million tons from an area of 1.4 million hectares.
  • FCA fixed the production target for Rabi crops (2021-22) at 28.9 million tons for wheat.
  • Rabi Advisory Committee anticipated a shortfall of 28% in crop production for Rabi 2021-22.
  • State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) assigned an annual indicative agricultural credit disbursement target of Rs. 1,700 billion for FY 2021-22.

Sources:

  • [Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) meeting minutes]
  • [State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) press release]

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