Agricultural Crops of Pakistan
Introduction
Agricultural activities in plain
areas of Pakistan are performed in two seasons. Those crops which are
cultivated before the beginning of winter season and harvested in early summer
are known as “Rabi Crops”. They include wheat ,barley, grams, oil seeds, pulses
e.t.c. But those crops which are grown in the beginning in summer and their
picking or harvesting takes place in early winter are called “Kharif Crops”. These
may include Rice, Sugarcane, Millets, Maize etc. The following are the main
crops cultivated in Pakistan:
Sugar Cane
(Cash Crop)
Introduction
Sugar cane is an important cash crop
of Pakistan. All available evidences indicate that Sugar Cane originated in Indo-Pak
sub-continent. The description of sugar cane is found in the Indian mythological
literature of 1000 B.C.
It is a type of long grass
“perennial” in nature. The first crop is called “plant cane” and the succeeding
crops are called “Ratoon Crops”. Although it is a plant of tropical regions but
it can also be cultivated in sub-tropical areas.
Uses of Sugar Cane
Sugar cane is used for sweetening
purposes. It is the most important and cheapest source of refined sugar. Gur, Alcohol
and Desi Shakkar are also prepared from Sugar cane. The left out stalk fibers
(bagasse) are used in the paper industries are as fuel and cattle food.
Favourable Conditions For Its Growth
1.
Temperature
Sugarcane is a crop of wet tropical
lands .From eight to twenty four months elapse between 65 degree F to 85degree
F. Little or no growth takes place at a temperature below 60 degree F.Frost is
very dangerous to young cane and sever frost during the period of ripening
causes inversion of the sucrose. The sugarcane needs a minimum of 250 frost
free days.
2. Water
Heavy precipitation is beneficial
during the early and intermediate stage of crop growth, but a dry season is
desirable before harvest. It grows well in areas having rainfall of more than
40 degree annually. It is very sensitive to dought conditions. Stagnant water
is very damaging. In our country Sugarcane is cultivated in canal irrigated
areas since the rainfall is below 20″ which is not sufficient.
3.Soils
Sugarcane can be grown on a variety
of soils ranging from sandy loams the heavy clays but sill loams and clay loams
are most suitable. It is grown primarily on both alluvial and red soils. The
soil should contain some elements of lime, potash and nitrogen.
4.Land
The best land for sugarcane is flat
or undulating and fertile with topsoil that retains moisture and sub soils that
permit drainage. Therefore the main Sugarcane area in Pakistan is located in
the canal colonies of the fertile Indus valley.
Sugarcane Cultivation
In Pakistan, Sugarcane is cultivated
in the spring season in the month of February or March. It is harvested in
November or December .Sugarcane is included in both Rabi and Kharif Crops. It
is a “perennial ” crop. The first crop is called “plant cane” and the
succeeding crops are called “ratoon crops” .Generally good yields from ratoon
crops are obtained only in one or two years.
Sugarcane Growing Areas
In Pakistan, a sub tropical
continental climate militates against the growing of thick canals. All the
areas of our country are not suited to the growth of Sugarcane. It is mostly
cultivated in canal irrigated areas of Punjab, N.W.F.P and Sindh provinces.
1. Punjab
Faisalabad, Sargodha, Multan, Bahawalpur,
Lahore and Gujranwala division are famous for Sugar cane production.
2. Sindh
Hyderabad division ranks first and
Sukkur division second in the production of Sugar cane.
3. N.W.F.P
Mardan and Peshawar districts are at
the top and some amount of Sugar cane is also produced in the districts of
Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan.
Average And Production
The following table shows areas, production
and yield per hectare of sugarcane during the last three years:
Period Area …………… Production ……….. Yield
Per Hectare
(000 Hectares)…………….(000
Tones)………..(Tones)
1989-90 854 ………………35494……………..41.56
1990-91 884……………….35889……………..40.71
1991-92 877……………….34210……………..39.00
(provisional)
Cotton (Cash
Crop)
Introduction
Cotton is considered to be the most
important cash crop of Pakistan. Pakistan, ranks fifth in world cotton
production. It is outstanding among vegetable, animal and synthetic fibers, accounting
for approximately one half of the all materials that are made into cloth. Besides
the preparation of a number of its products ,we also earn a large amount of
foreign exchange from its export to other countries .Its importance may be
estimated from the fact that it contributes 15% to the G.N.P The entire textile
industry directly or indirectly depends upon it. It provides employment to
2/3rd of industrial labour force.
Biological And Historical Reference
Cotton is also known as the “Silver
Fiber” .It is a wooly fiber surrounded around the seeds of the plant the
longing to genus “Gossypium”. It is known to have been produced in the Indus
plain since 3000 B.C.
Favourable Conditions For Its Growth
1. Temperature
Humid tropical and sub-tropical
savanna climates are both conductive to cotton growth .At the time of
cultivation it requires temperature ranging between 80 degree F to 100 degree F
but at the time of picking 50 degree F to 60 degree F temperature remains
sufficient. Frost or severe cold is dangerous for its growth. As produced
commercially, cotton requires a growing season of at least 180 to 200
frost-free days.
2. Water
A minimum precipitation amount of 20″
and a maximum of 40″ per year is considered to be the optimum requirement for
cotton cultivation. The annual rainfall in Pakistan is less than 20″ which is
insufficient, so without artificial irrigation, cotton cultivation is not
possible. It is for this reason that canal and tube well irrigated areas of
Sindh and Punjab are devoted to cotton cultivation. The moisture should be
comparatively even throughout much of the year but retorted during the
harvesting period.
3. Soil
Cotton grows best on soils which
retain moisture at their upper levels and are well drained at lower depths. Its
favours alluvial soil but can do quite well on tighter soils if sufficient
moisture is present to prevent excessive compaction around the plant roots. The
use of natural or artificial manure is essential to maintain the fertility of
soil.
4. Land
Sea breeze is very helpful for the
production of quality cotton. For this reason low lands near the sea (Sindh
areas ) are considered to be ideal situations for its cultivation.
Cotton Cultivation
Cotton is a Kharif crop in Pakistan
and is cultivated in the summer season. Sowing is mainly broadcast and begins
in April in Sindh and in May or June in Punjab. In Sindh,picking starts from
August. Whereas in Punjab it begins in September or October. Cotton mostly grows
in rows and the minimum distance between row to row is kept about 11/2 feet
.Similarly the minimum distance between plant to plant remain about 6″.
Cotton Growing Areas
In Pakistan cotton is grown in canal
irrigated areas of Punjab and Sindh and also in some parts of Baluchistan and
N.W.F.P.
1. Punjab
The province of Punjab has a network
of canals leading out from the mighty river Indus and draining the are. (0 % of
the crop depends Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Lahore and
Gujranwala constitute the cotton belt .In these areas the well-known variety of
medium staple cotton is grown. A small quantity of Desi quality cotton is
allowed to be grown for domestic use. Punjab produces a surplus quantity of
cotton and after meeting the local requirements the rest of it is exported.
2. Sindh
The province of Sindh also produces a
considerable amount of cotton. The canal irrigated areas of Sindh, constituting
Hyderabad and Sukkur division are the main cotton centres.Here both the
American medium staple and Desi qualities of cotton are grown. Sindh also
produces surplus quantity of cotton which is more than the local requirements.
Average And Production
The following table shows area, production
and yield per hectare of cotton during the last three years:
Period ………….. Area …………… Production ……………….. Yield
Per Hectare
……………….(000 Hectares)……..(000 Tones)…………………(kg)
1989-90………….2599………………8560………………………..561
1990-91………….2662………………9628………………………..616
1991-92………….2896………………12500……………………….734
(provisional)
Exports:(min.Rs.)
1989-90 – 9550
1990-91 – 9553
1991-92 – 5916
(July to March)
Rice (Food
Crop)
Importance of Rice in Pakistan
Rice holds an important position
among the cash crops of Pakistan. It fulfills the food requirements of our
country but we also earn a lot of foreign exchange from its export. Besides it
is an important raw material for manufacturing starch, paper , sandals, hats, mattresses
etc. grain as well as its husk is also used as fodder for cattle.
Biological and Historical References
Rice belongs to the genus “Oxygen”, two
species of which are cultivated, ”Oryza Glaberrima” and “Oryza Sativa”. The
former is found only in tropical west African while the latter is found all
over the rice growing areas..The exact origin of rice is not known but most of
the research workers give this credit to South East Asi.After 1468 it was
introduced in Italy from where it spread to European and many other countries
of the world.
Favourable Coditions For Its growth
1.
Temperature
Rice is a tropical plant. it requires
high temperature during the growing season of 4 to 6 months. The temperature
should be more than 80 degree F and in no way less than 70 degree F even for
the quick maturing varieties. In Pakistan rice is cultivated only one a year
i.e. early summer. Its cultivation is not possible in areas of severe cold or
where the temperature goes below freezing point.
2. Water
Rice is known as a plant of water. Its
cultivation requires large amount of moisture. The annual rainfall should not
be in any way leas than 40 “.The root of the rice plant should remain submerged
in water for a long time. For 75 days the rice fields should have 6” of slow
moving water. When the rice crops mature, less water is required and during
ripening season, the field should be almost dry so that it can be harvested
easily.
The rice growing areas of Pakistan
have an average annual rainfall of less than 20 ” .So the deficiency of
rainfall has been met by the artificial arrangements of irrigation water
through canals and tube wells etc.
3. Soil
With the exemption of sandy soils
which are very permeable ,rice can be grown successfully on soils ranging from
silt loam to clays .Alluvial soil is the most suitable soil for the rich growth
of rice. Heavy clayey sub soil with water retaining capacity gives best
results.
4. Land
The flooding of rice fields requires
level land and therefore river valleys, deltas and coasted plains are suitable
areas, otherwise terracing is required.
System of Cultivation
There are two methods of rice
cultivation:
1.Broad Cast
Sowing
This involves direct plantation of
rice plants in the fields.
2.Transplantation
In this case sowing is first done in
nursery beds. When the plants attain a height of 4 ” to 6 “,they are
transplanted into big fields. This method is also called the Japanese method. It
is the most scientific and beneficial method. By its practice, the per acre
production increases considerably.
Rice is mostly cultivated in rows and
the distance from row to row is kept about 6 ” and from plant to plant remains
3 “.
Rice Growing Areas
Cultivation of rice is mainly
confined to the low lying parts of the Punjab plain and the flooded rivers and
canal areas of Sindh. To a small extent it is also grown in the sub mountain
districts in the North and the canal irrigated areas. Rice cultivation in
N.W.F.P .Baluchistan and Azad Kashmir areas is not more than 1 % to 2 % of
their total areas.
1. Punjab
In Punjab, the division of Lahore and
Gujranwala rank at the top. Best equalities like Basmati, Parmal, Sukhdari, Irri-six
etc. are grown in this part of Punjab. Besides somu rice is also cultivated in
Shakhupura, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan and Bahawalpur divisions.
2. Sindh
In the province of Sindh, the
districts of Sukkur division are most famous for good quality rice cultivation.
Larkana district ranks at cultivated in Khairpur, Nawabshah and Hyderabad
districts. The main qualities of rice which are common in the province of Sindh
are Kangni,Beghi,Irri-8 etc.
Average And Production
The following table shows areas, production
and yield per hectare of rice during the last three years:
Period ………… Area ……….. Production ……………. Yield
Per Hectare
…………….(000 Hec)……..(000
Ton)……………….(kg)
1989-90……….2107………….3220………………….1528
1990-91……….2113………….3261………………….1543
1991-92……….2007………….3198………………….1593
(Provisional)
Exports
1989-90 – Rs. 5144 million
1990-91 – Rs. 7846 million
1991-92 – Rs. 7083 million
(July-March)
WHEAT (Food
Crop)
Introduction
Wheat is the most popular food crop
of Pakistan. Wheat being the staple diet of most of the people of Pakistan it
dominates all crops in acreage and production .We use wheat and its products in
a number of ways. It accounts for over 70 % of the gross cereals and over 36 %
of the country’s acreage is devoted to wheat cultivation.
Wheat is being cultivated in our
country from ancient times. According to some experts wheat was first
cultivated in the Indus Valley. Pakistan is the 4th largest producer of wheat in
Asia and stands 11th in world production.
Favourable Conditions For Its Growth
1.
Temperature
Wheat is essentially a temperate crop
requiring moderate heat and moisture. In Pakistan it is a rain (winter) crop. It
is cultivated in the month of October and November. The temperature then is
between 50 degree and 60 degree F which is most suitable for wheat growth while
it is harvested at the end of April or early in May when the temperature is
between 80 degree F and 100 degree F. This high temperature helps in the
ripening of the crop.
2. Water
For wheat cultivation, rain must come
during the period of growth and sunny conditions should prevail at the time of
ripening. Minimum rainfall required during the growing season is 20 “.Rainfall
is no way should exceed 40 “.In Pakistan the average annual rainfall is less
than 20 ” which is insufficient. Thus wheat is mostly grown by means of
irrigation. Due to lack of irrigational facilities Baluchistan and Potwar
plateau depend exclusively on rainfall. However the yield per acre of the rain
fed fields is about half that of irrigated fields.
3. Soil
Wheat is known to grow on a variety
of soils but it does best in the well-drained clayey loams having plenty of
humus. Hence the dark coloured chernozems of the temperate grasslands like that
of Pakistan are the most suitable soils.
Kinds of Wheat
There are two main types of wheat:
1.Vulgare or Sharbati
It is widely cultivated and is prized
for common bread.
2.Durum
It has local importance and is mostly
used for making of Suji (Semolina) and Sewian (Vermicelli).
Wheat Producing Centres of Pakistan
Wheat is cultivated in all the four
provinces of Pakistan. Punjab and Sindh provinces however rank at the top. The
plain areas of Punjab and Sindh provinces have alluvial soil brought by River
Indus and its tributaries. These rivers further increase the fertility of the
soil by adding a number of organic and in-organic matters brought by them from
various areas of our country. The plain areas of Punjab and Sindh provinces
have insufficient rainfall. This deficiency has been made up by providing
canals and other irrigational facilities. The temperate climate aids wheat
production in Sindh and Punjab.
1. Punjab
The province of Punjab ranks at the
top in the production of wheat. The upper indus plain accounts for 70 % of the
total wheat of our country. Canal fed fields produce 2/3 and the rest comes
from the rain fed fields. The main wheat growing divisions are :
Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Dera
Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Lahore, Sahiwal, Shaikhupura and Sialkot.
2. Sindh
The province of Sindh ranks second in
wheat production. Kabul, Kurram and Gomal rivers have a substantial share in
wheat acreage. Most of the lands devoted to wheat cultivation in the lower
Indus Plains are located in the irrigated districts of Nawabshah,
Hyderabad, Sukkur, Tharparkar and Khairpur.
3. N.W.F.P
The North west Frontier province does
not contribute much towards wheat production. In the canal irrigated areas of
N.W.F.P Mardan, Peshawar and Bannu are famous for wheat cultivation.
4.
Baluchistan
Some wheat is also grown in the
plateau areas and the valleys of the hilly regions of Baluchistan. On the
Potwar Plateau there are large areas under wheat which depend entirely on
rainfall.
Average And Production
The following table shows area, production
and yield per hectare of wheat during the last three years:
Period ………………… Area ……………… Production ………………. Yield
per Hectare
…………………….(000 Hec)……………..(000
Ton)…………………….(kg)
1989-90…………………7845…………………14316……………………….1825
1990-91…………………7911…………………14565……………………….1841
1991-92…………………7795…………………14657……………………….1880
(provisional)
Imports
Period ………………. Quantity ………………. Unit
Value
……………………….(000 ml?)……………….Rs/ml?)
1989-90………………….2047……………………4197
1990-91………………….972…………………….3208
1991-92………………….1000……………………4057
(July-March)(ml metric tones)
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