1. Pakistan Agriculture Issues and Prospects Sarsabz Fertilizers
FATIMA GROUP

2. Pakistan Agriculture Overview
Pakistan despite being among top ten producer has yields well below potential
India, Brazil and Egypt are considered the highly progressive countries.
Pakistan is one of the lowest user of fertilizers
Balance use of fertilizers can alone increase average yield from 30 to 50%
Limited focus on areas like livestock, poultry, forestry and fisheries

3. Agricultural Performance of Pakistan
Prospects of Pakistan as global agriculture player
Important Crops Production and growth potential
Production in ‘000 tons, except cotton which is ’000 bales
Wheat
Cotton
Sugarcane
Rice
Maize
Production1
25,286
12,769
66,469
6,798
4,527
Share in Agriculture (%)
10.3
6.7
3.4
3.1
2.1
Value ($.bn)1
6.3
4.1
1.9
1.3
Share of Fertilizer Use (%) 50 25 8 6
1.5
Avg. Yield (Kg/ha)
2,714
816
55196
2,396
3,991
Maunds/acre 27
558 24 40
Potential Maunds/acre 45 12
900 80
Incremental Growth 18 4
342 21
% Growth potential/acre
60%
67%
62%
53%
50%
Composition of GDP from Agriculture
Source: Pakistan Economic Survey 2014, Statista, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
Note: (1): Figures are FY14 in ‘000 tons, except cotton which is ’000 bales (P). (2): Ranks are by Production

4. 67% untapped potential on account of the following factors
Issues – Pakistan Agriculture
67% untapped potential on account of the following factors
Degradation of soil – Nutrient mining due to imbalanced fertilizer use & salinity
Poor seed quality and distribution system
Weak national agricultural research regime
High post harvest losses – Rs. 49 billion loss only in fruits and vegetables
Inefficient use and management of irrigation water
Poor awareness of the farmer on latest technologies
Primitive nature of farming (low mechanization)

5. FARM NUMBER AND AREA TREND
Pakistan Land Holding Statistics
(Million)
Source: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
FARM NUMBER AND AREA TREND
(2000 – 2010)
5.35 million farms cover less than 5 acre land which is 65% of the total farming community. These subsistence farmers occupy million acres which is 19% of the total cultivated area.
2.05 million farms cover acre of land which is 25% of the total farming community. These subsistence farmers occupy million acres which is 29% of the total cultivated area.
0.87 million farms cover more than 12.5 acre land which is 10.31% of the total farming community. These medium to large farmers occupy million acres which is 52% of the total cultivated area.

6. Issues of Small Farmer in Pakistan
About 66% of the country’s population is living in rural areas depends wholly or partially, on the earnings from Agriculture sector In addition to export earnings, nearly 21% of GDP and 45% of the total employment is generated by the Agriculture sector
Small farms face growing competition from larger and more capitalized farms that capture economies of scale in production and marketing, especially for food staples
Need is to find innovative technology driven ways to support small farmers so to capture new business opportunities in farming, especially for high value products and value addition activities
Agricultural economists, researchers and public private extension agencies to develop viable model for small farmers
Global market access for high value exportable crops and other farm produce is need of the time
Climate change is another added risk factor that small farmers should have to manage

7. Pakistan - Area under Major crops
The agriculture sector recorded a modest improvement, growing by 3.1 percent in FY12-13 compared to 2.4 percent in the previous year.

8. Fertilizer usage by crop (‘000 tons) Reasons of Low fertility
Soil Fertility Status
Fertilizer usage by crop (‘000 tons)
Nutrient
% Deficiency
Organic Matter
100%
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
80-90%
Potassium
40-50%
Zinc
60-70%
Boron
30-40%
Iron
20-30%
Highest usage in Wheat and Cotton
Reasons of Low fertility
Inherent – alluvial, Parent material
Leaching – Flood Irrigation, deforestation
Erosion - 2.2% forest area, 1,687,000 ha
Fixation – Nutrients fixation due to alkalinity
Removal – Imbalance use of fertilizers
Source: NFDC; Industry experts

9. Use efficiency of different Nutrients in alkaline Soils of Pakistan
Crop Wise Nutrients Removal Per ton of Produce 39 10
0.3
Use efficiency of different Nutrients in alkaline Soils of Pakistan
MACRO-NUTRIENTS
Nutrient
Use Efficiency (%) N
40 to 60 P
20 to 30 K
75 to 85
MICRO-NUTRIENTS Zn
4 to 5 B
6 to 8 Fe
11 to 15
Average Kg/acre applied nutrients
Kg / acre

10. Impact of balanced use of fertilizer on yield kg/h
Some important Facts
Long term study conducted by IFA for India, China and Pakistan revealed less grain
yield due decline in N use efficiency because of imbalance use of fertilizer nutrients
Kg Grains per Kg of N used
India
China
Pakistan
Impact of balanced use of fertilizer on yield kg/h
Crop
N Only
NPK
% Increase
Wheat
2,521
4,120 63
Rice
2,800
4,494 60
Maize
2,110
5,084 14
Sugarcane
56,515
126,334
123
NFDC Reports

11. Primitive Nature of Agriculture
ALL FARMS
TRACTOR
TUBEWELL
THRESHER
SHELLER
COMBINED/ HARVESTER
REAPER/HARVESTER
SEED DRILL
SPRAY MACHINE
737202
353768
42113
29344
66958
295184
8.9%
13.1%
4.3%
0.5%
0.4%
0.8%
3.6%
17.4%
Agricultural Census of Pakistan 2004

12. GROUND WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN PUNJAB
(Under Project Period 2004 – 2010)
Directorate of Soil Fertility Research Institute - Punjab
Sr. No
Division
Total
No. of samples
Fit
Unfit
% unfit 1.
Bahawalpur
61799
31653
30146
48.8 2.
D. G. Khan
61735
36288
25447
41.2 3.
Faisalabad
71703
29266
42437
59.2 4.
Gujranwala
76435
57288
19147
25.1 5.
Lahore
48279
18882
29397
60.9 6.
Multan
81960
51269
30691
37.4 7.
Rawalpindi
19830
16859
2971
15.0 8.
Sargodha
78794
61630
17164
21.8
TOTAL
500535
303135
197400
39.4

13. Fertility Status of Soils in Punjab - Pakistan
Directorate of Soil Fertility Research Institute - Punjab
Fertility Status of Soils in Punjab (Rice- Wheat)
Fertility Status of Soils in Punjab (Cotton- Wheat)
Parameters
Low
Medium
Adequate
% area
Organic matter
77.0
18.6
4.4
Available- P
78.0
19.6
2.4
Available –K
28.3
48.0
23.7
Parameters
Low
Medium
Adequate
% area
Organic matter
85.7
13.2
1.1
Available- P
74.4
23.1
2.5
Available –K
11.1
28.4
60.5
Fertility Status of Soils in Punjab (Mixed Crops)
Fertility Status of Soils in Punjab (Pulses-Wheat)
Parameters
Low
Medium
Adequate
% area
Organic matter
80.8
16.5
2.7
Available- P
64.7
29.6
5.7
Available –K
7.8
45.9
46.3
Parameters
Low
Medium
Adequate
% area
Organic matter
90.8
8.6
0.6
Available- P
84.5
13.3
2.2
Available –K
64.9
31.6
3.5

14. N Balance Sheet P Balance Sheet K Balance Sheet Nutrient Balance Sheet
Directorate of Soil Fertility Research Institute - Punjab
N Balance Sheet
P Balance Sheet
Nitrogen (Kg/ha)
Year
85-86
95-96
00-01
05-06
08-09
Cotton - wheat
-14.8
8.6
-7.2
3.6
2.9
Rice - Wheat
-12.3
-2.0
-19.7
0.2
5.7
Mixed Crop
-10.2
7.6
-9.6
Pulses & Wheat
-7.4
-8.2
-13.1
-16.2
-11.6
Wheat-Maize-Oil Seed
-18.3
-18.9
-14.6
-25.4
Punjab
-12.4
2.4
-6.6
-3.8
-9.1
Phosphorus (Kg/ha)
Year
85-86
95-96
00-01
05-06
08-09
Cotton - wheat
-12.7
-12.8
-24.9
-25.1
-26.5
Rice - Wheat
-12.1
-13.1
-23.2
-21.2
Mixed Crop
-12.2
-12.0
-23.3
-28.7
-33.0
Pulses & Wheat
-7.1
-8.6
-14.2
-17.2
-15.9
Wheat-Maize-Oil Seed
-8.3
-9.3
-10.8
-17.3
-19.9
Punjab
-11.4
-11.8
-19.8
-22.5
-27.0
K Balance Sheet
Potassium (Kg/ha)
Year
85-86
95-96
00-01
05-06
08-09
Cotton - wheat
-28.8
-35.0
-50.1
-56.4
-62.6
Rice - Wheat
-7.0
-4.0
-38.5
-41.1
-50.7
Mixed Crop
-26.5
-30.5
-51.1
-71.3
-82.7
Pulses & Wheat
-22.7
-28.0
-32.8
-44.6
-32.4
Wheat-Maize-Oil Seed
-35.1
-37.9
-50.3
-55.6
Punjab
-24.2
-27.9
-45.6
-56.5
-63.5

15. Primary Reason of deficiency
Comparative study on status of Zn in diabetic and non-diabetics
Non diabetic
Diabetic
Impact of Zn level in blood irrespective of age group
> 1 ppm No diabetes
< 0.6 ppm All diabetic
Primary Reason of deficiency
Daily diet base 72% wheat
Zn in wheat grains ppm
Human need 45 – 50 ppm
Daily deficit 25 – 30 ppm
Increasing Zn contents in food grains is the most economical and effective method
Comparative study on status of Zn in diabetic and non-diabetic males in Punjab, Pakistan. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Vol 6(20), 29 May 2013

16. Response of NP & CAN over DAP & UREA -WHEAT CROP
Value Cost Ratio (VCR) with
NP & CAN=4.40
DAP & UREA=4.32
Wheat (md/acre) Yields of Farmer Field Demonstrations
NP & CAN NP
CAN
MOP
Total Cost of Fertilizer
Avg. yield with NP Plus CAN
Avg. yield with DAP Plus UREA
Incremental yield with NP Plus CAN (md/acre)
Net Additional benefit with NP Plus CAN Wheat Price (Rs- 1250/md )
(Sarsabz Plot)
Bags
Rate
Cost
DAP & UREA (Comparison Plot)
3.5
2389
8362
2.4
1524
3658 1
3357
15376
50.7
45.5
5.2
Rs/Acre= 7020
DAP
UREA
11 % additional Yield of Wheat from NP and CAN combination is due to better 'P' use efficiency from NP in alkaline soils and minimal 'N' losses from CAN, which contributes in root development and better grain formation. Availability of Calcium (Ca) from CAN also contributed in controlling lodging.
1.50
3370
5055
2.5
2020
5050
13462
additional amount paid by the farmer to purchase NP & CAN Rs:
1914

17. Current Farming Crisis in Pakistan
Falling income, rising costs, declining yields

18. Declining prices of agricultural commodities and increased
Inputs’ cost has created severe financial crisis for farmers
Reduction in commodity prices
Increase in input costs
Imposition of 17% GST on all Agricultural inputs, since 2012
Devaluation of Rs 21 or 25% against US $ in last five years, impacted imported inputs
Significant increase in gas prices leading to increase in fertilizer and energy cost
Agricultural Commodities Vs Input Costs
Crop
Price (Rs/md)
Rupees per mound variation in Commodity Prices
Inputs
Inputs costs per acre
Increased Cost Rs/Acre
2010
2015
Wheat
950
1,300
350
UREA
710
1900
1190
Cotton
3,800
2,500
-1300
DAP
3200
1300
Rice
2000
900
-1100
Land Preparation
2800
5000
2200
Maize
1080
800
-280
Irrigation
2400
8000
5600
Sugarcane
125
180 55
Pesticide
1000
Source: NFDC for Fertilizer prices, other input costs calculations are derived from the farmers of different cropping zones

19. IMPACT ON LAND HOLDERS VS TENANT FARMERS
Value Cost Ratio Comparisons
OWN LAND HOLDERS PROFITABILITY RUPEES PER ACRE
TENANT FARMERS PROFITABILITY RUPEES PER ACRE
CROP
2010
2015
% decrease in profitability
Wheat
9725
7743
-20%
-375
-7257
1835% 
Sugarcane
36920
26940
-27%
11820
-13061
-210%
Rice
50965
1680
-96%
40865
-13320
-132%
Cotton
18780
-3707
-119%
8680
-18707
-315%
Maize
49855
14414
-71%
43755
-5586
-112%
Source: NFDC for Fertilizer prices, other input costs calculations are derived from the farmers of different cropping zones

20. Opportunities and Available Support
30 to 50% increase in average yield can be attained with balanced fertilizer use.
Pakistan has 17 public research institutes engaged in development of new varieties and support services to the farmer community.
There are 17 agricultural universities/ colleges involved in agricultural research and education
Provincial extension department, fertilizer industry and agro based multinationals are also engaged in farmers education and training programs
To bring sustainable growth in crop sector, farmer’s easy access to quality seeds, awareness to safe and
selective pesticides and IT support are crucial needs of the time.

21. Holistic Approach For Narrowing The Per Acre Yield Gap
Need is to develop viable model for small farmers
A significant need to stress the balanced use of fertilizers
Need is to stimulate agricultural R & D to encounter with current and future challenges
Need for water conservation, storage and usage policy
Area Specific Dry Land Technologies Research Needs
Reclamation of Saline and saline Sodic Soils

22. Thanks!