LANZHOU: “Empowering flaxseed farmers through agro-technology is just our beginning. Our collaboration project could contribute to the economic development of both sides by creating job opportunities, increasing trade, and improving the overall efficiency of the flaxseed value chain,” Prof Dr. A. W. Gandahi, Chairman, Department of Soil Science at Sindh Agriculture University, noted at a flaxseed collaboration seminar held on July 24.
Pakistan is striving hard to increase oilseed production. The first-ever comprehensive National Oilseed Policy has been proposed to enhance the production of edible oils and reduce dependence on imports, as well as improve the profitability of the oilseed growers.
By now, Punjab and Sindh are the major growing provinces of flaxseed in Pakistan, accounting for 47% and 53% of the area respectively. However, “the area under flaxseed has remained static (9000-9500 hectares) for the past fifteen years,” Prof Gandahi mentioned, “it is clearly imperative to increase the area and yield of such an important cash crop.”
Whereas, Flaxseed farmers in Pakistan are troubled by a series of barriers, including low prices, Irrigation water shortages, lack of quality seed and the archenemy, climate change.
“Overall, addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from the government, research institutions, and the private sector to provide technical support, improved seed varieties, and training to farmers. Obviously, the agriculture cooperation between Pakistan and China should never be ignored,” Prof Gandahi pointed out. –Agencies
