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Smeda striving for dairy sector uplift
For the convenience of farmers as well as new investors, the Small and Medium Enterprise
Development Authority (Smeda) is updating two pre-feasibility reports for dairy sector besides, translating the same into
Urdu and putting it on website.
wednesday,
December-31-2003
High prices and tight supply hit rice exports
Pakistan's rice prices edged higher in the past week on tight supplies and low stocks, and
traders said on Tuesday market activity would remain slack until new crop arrivals came on full stream.
wednesday,
December-31-2003
Wheat situation quite satisfactory: Minfal
A spokesman of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Minfal) has termed the wheat situation in the country as quite satisfactory.
wednesday,
December-31-2003
PSMA suggests upturn in sugar prices
The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), Sindh zone, has suggested upturn in sugar prices or else the entire sugar sector may perish.
wednesday,
December-31-2003
Cotton prices sharply up, restraining buying rush
Sharp upturn in New York had instant impact on the local cotton prices which forced down buying support, as commented by the relevant sources.
wednesday,
December-31-2003
Farm lending jumps sharply
There has been a sharp upward jump in lending by commercial banks (CBs) pushing the gross credit disbursement to agriculture during the first quarter of 2003-04 by over 41 percent against the corresponding period of 2002-03, according to State Bank report released on Tuesday.
wednesday,
December-31-2003
Commercial banks lend more for farm sector than ADBP and HBFC
According to the State Bank of Pakistan lending by commercial banks for agricultural finance and housing has outstripped the lending by specialised banks (ADBP & HBFC) in the respective area.
wednesday,
December-31-2003
Wheat import contract: Passco accused of adopting 'fishy' method
The Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) has been accused of adopting a
"fishy" method in awarding tender for the import of 150,000 tonnes of wheat to the Australian Wheat Board, leading grain
traders here said.
Tuesday,
December-30-2003
Mill owners and cane growers meeting convened
Sindh Sugarcane Control Board (SSCB) has convened a meeting of mills management and cane
growers on January 7, 2004 to develop consensus on resolution of various problems following the series of protest staged by
the growers in various sugarcane growing areas.
Tuesday,
December-30-2003
Balanced fertiliser essential for enhanced yield
Balanced and adequate use of fertiliser is imperative for increasing the agricultural yield of the country. Use of potash fertiliser on 50 percent of the minor crops and 20 percent of the major crops at an estimated cost of Rs 6 billion.
Tuesday,
December-30-2003
Production of onion and potato increases
The production of onion and potato has registered increase during the year 2002-03 as compared with the last year.
Tuesday,
December-30-2003
Three new farm projects submitted for approval
Agriculture scientists and experts have submitted three new agriculture research projects for approval to boost wheat, cotton and rice crops, which needs Rs 16.273 million.
Monday,
December-29-2003
Rs 3.763 million agri loans issued
Agriculture loans for Rabi crops worth Rs 3.763 million issued to 129 farmers in District Faisalabad through "One Window Scheme".
Monday,
December-29-2003
Prolonged holidays affect activities on cotton market
Local and international prolonged holidays had profound effect on sales and purchases of cotton here, and of course on prices during the week ended on December 27, 2003.
Monday,
December-29-2003
ANALYSIS: Cotton market passes through slack period
Reports of increased arrivals of seed-cotton from some districts of Sindh and Punjab are pouring into the market. Actually, this is due to opening of last pick balls due to drop in night temperature.
Monday,
December-29-2003
TCCL sell-off: Star Cotton fails to make payment
The highest bidder of Thatta Cement Company Limited (TCCL), the Star Cotton Corporation (SCC),
which offered Rs 10.85 per share and Rs 778.987 million in total, has failed to make payment to acquire minimum of 90 percent
shares.
Sunday,
December-28-2003
Buyers active in cotton market
Cotton market continued to remain lively with good going on Saturday as price line favoured the
buyers, relevant sources said.
Sunday,
December-28-2003
Body formed for oil palm plantation in Badin and Thatta
The Sindh Minister for Planning and Development approved the constitution of a technical
committee of the task force for the promotion of Oil Palm plantation in coastal zones of Badin and Thatta districts.
Sunday,
December-28-2003
Ghee export to Afghanistan
The Peshawar Collectorate of the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has made the Duty and Tax
Remission for Export (DTRE) approval to ghee exporters for Afghanistan subject to certification of consignments' document by
the Pakistan's embassy in Kabul instead of Jalalabad consulate without any amendment in the rules.
Sunday,
December-28-2003
Government allocates 2,874 acres for landless farmers
The Punjab government has allocated 2,874 acres of state land for free distributions among 230
landless farmers of district Faisalabad.
Saturday,
December-27-2003
Call to modernise farm sector
It was encouraging to see an increase in Pak-China agriculture co-operation, which was a step
towards economic development, as the agriculture sector holds a lot of promise to get the millions out of poverty.
Saturday,
December-27-2003
Inflows and outflows of rivers
The position of water inflows/outflows at Mangla and Tarbela along with the reservoir levels and
the barrages at 6.00 am on Friday was as under.
Saturday,
December-27-2003
Cotton prices steady but trading volume subsides
Slight downtrend was noted on the cotton market on Friday though prices level remained
unaffected, relevant sources said.
Saturday,
December-27-2003
Incorrect statistics to conceal cotton shortfall
High ranking agriculture officials have submitted incorrect figures of cotton production to the Federal Government and concealed low cotton production into optimistically high by reducing the official approved weight of cotton bale to show increase numbers of bales.
Thursday,
December-25-2003
Volume declines slightly, but cotton prices steady
Cotton market maintained firm trend as spinners lifted fairly good quantity of cotton to take advantage of the prevailing favourable prices, relevant sources said.
Thursday,
December-25-2003
ANALYSIS: cotton prices continue to rule steady
Despite extended and intermittent holidays over the next week or ten days, traders said on Wednesday that a reported turnover between 25,000 to 30,000 bales is still transacted daily when the market is not closed.
Thursday,
December-25-2003
KWC urges government to buy surplus sugar
Kissan Welfare Council (KWC) has urged the Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to hold meeting with the farmers to know the problems being faced by sugarcane growers.
Thursday,
December-25-2003
PCGA contests 10 million bales production estimate
The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) has strongly contested the cotton crop committee's production report of 10 million bales for 2003-04, terming it as unfounded and unrealistic.
Thursday,
December-25-2003
First fortnight sugar output sets new record
Sugar production during the first fortnight with net output of 0.367 million tons, against 0.351 million tons of corresponding period of last year, has set new record for 2003-04.
Wednesday,
December-24-2003
Buyer interest unabated in cotton market
Cotton market depicted firm trend as spinners continue to offer buying support at the previous price levels, relevant sources said on Tuesday.
Wednesday,
December-24-2003
Cotton production estimated at 10 million bales
Cotton production in Pakistan is officially estimated at 10 million bales inspite of severe losses due to army bollworm, American worm, and spotted bollworm, of them 7.6 million bales is estimated in Punjab, 2.3 million bales in Sindh and 0.1 million bales in NWFP.
Wednesday,
December-24-2003
Sindh able to produce 3 million cotton bales for 2004
Sindh is able to produce 3 million cotton bales for 2004 with better use of seeds and soil testing.
Wednesday,
December-24-2003
Passco
to buy 150,000 tonnes wheat
The Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Supply Corporation (Passco) will be in the market to buy 150,000 tonnes of wheat by the end of this week, a government official said on Tuesday.
Wednesday,
December-24-2003
High prices and slow supplies hit Pakistani rice exports
Pakistan's rice trade was slow in the past week on low export demand, but it may pick up given Indonesian interest in IRRI-6, traders said on Tuesday.
Wednesday,
December-24-2003
Ashraf Sugar Mills awarded ISO 9001-2000
Ashraf Sugar Mills was awarded ISO 9001-2000 certificate at a simple but impressive ceremony by
Moody International here on Monday.
Tuesday,
December-23-2003
Punjab government urged to save sugar industry from complete collapse
Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (Punjab zone) Chairman, Javed Kayani, has urged upon the
Punjab government to save the sugar industry from complete collapse in view of ever-rising surplus stocks and depressed
prices in the market.
Tuesday,
December-23-2003
Fauji Fertiliser declares 32.5 percent as third interim dividend
Fauji Fertiliser has declared a third interim dividend of 32.5 percent for the running calendar
year as against 25 percent paid in the same period a year ago.
Tuesday,
December-23-2003
Cotton deals reported at respectable level
Business at respectable level was reported on the cotton market on Monday but sources said deals
will start landing late after office shutters were down.
Tuesday,
December-23-2003
ANALYSIS: Local, world cotton prices
According to the periodical report of Pakistan Cotton Ginners' Association, seed-cotton
equivalent to 895,283 bales (Punjab 706,753 and Sindh 188,530) was received in ginneries in the first fortnight of December,
2003, to make up-to-date arrivals at 7,482,875 local bales (Punjab 6,025,751 and Sindh 1,456,924).
Tuesday,
December-23-2003
Lack of infrastructure and food processing facilities main hurdle in fruit
The lack of physical infrastructure including farm-to-market roads, cold storage, processing
facilities like washing, waxing and grading of fresh produce and lack of awareness on the international market situation
evolving under the WTO regime are the main constraints being faced by the farmers in Pakistan.
Tuesday,
December-23-2003
Provision of adequate quantities of wheat to millers demanded
The Sindh government must arrange the provision of adequate quantities of wheat to millers in
Karachi including the private Chakki owners so that black-marketeers do not thrive, according to the traders in the retail
and wholesale market of food-grains, reports UPP correspondent.
Tuesday,
December-23-2003
Unisame to press Minfal to abolish wheat quota system
The Union of Small & Medium Enterprises (Unisame) will press the Ministry of Food, Agriculture &
Livestock (Minfal) to abolish wheat quota system, in its meeting with the ministry, wheat traders and flour mill owners
scheduled to be held on Tuesday.
Tuesday,
December-23-2003
Farmers Associates Pakistan meeting on December 23
Farmers Associates Pakistan (FAP) would hold its 97th extraordinary general body meeting on
Tuesday to review sugarcane procurement.
Tuesday,
December-23-2003
Wheat from India not importable
The Ministry of Commerce has said that as per trade procedures importers are not allowed to bring
wheat from India.
Tuesday,
December-23-2003
Body formed to boost oil palm plantation
Sindh Planning and Development Minister Syed Shoaib Ahmed Bukhari has constituted a six-member committee to work for boosting oil palm plantation along the coastal zone of Sindh.
Monday,
December-22-2003
Ample wheat stocks for three months consumption
Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Food and Agriculture, Rajab Ali Khan Baloch on Saturday said that the country had ample wheat stock to meet the needs of people till the arrival of new crop.
Sunday,
December-21-2003
Sindh sugar mills working at half capacity
Sugar mills in Sindh are working at about 50 percent of their production capacity creating hurdles in lifting sugarcane from growers.
Sunday,
December-21-2003
Cotton market turns sluggish
Slightly sluggish trend was noted on the cotton market on Friday as ginners are not prepared to sell at the buyers dictated prices, the relevant sources said on Friday.
Saturday,
December-20-2003
India exploring possibility of exporting tea to Pakistan
Rajya Sabha was informed on Friday that India was exploring the possibility of exporting tea to Pakistan through the border route.
Saturday,
December-20-2003
Mango growers field school initiated
Mango Growers Association Pakistan (MGAP), CABI region bioscience centre Rawalpindi and Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) under Agriculture Linkage Programme have initiated Farmers Field School programme for participatory training of mango growers in Multan and Khanewal districts.
Saturday,
December-20-2003
Sufficient wheat stock available in Punjab
Sufficient wheat stock is available in Punjab and there was no chance of food shortage in the province, said Punjab Food Minister Chaudhry Mohammad Iqbal.
Saturday,
December-20-2003
Wheat crisis gaining alarming proportions in Sindh
Growers and agriculture experts were of the unanimous opinion that the wheat crises is gaining alarming proportions owing to growing mismanagement and corruption in provincial Food Department responsible for distribution of government wheat in the province.
Saturday,
December-20-2003
Sunflower cultivation up 11 percent in Sindh
Sindh Food and Agriculture Minister Arif Mustafa Jatoi has said that sunflower sowing during 2003-2004 season is on 185,000 acres in Sindh which is 11 percent higher than the last season's acreage under sunflower cultivation.
Saturday,
December-20-2003
Agri scientists stress need for enhancement of extension system
An effective agricultural extension system involves not only the dissemination of individual technologies, but also knowledge sharing, capacity building, encouragement of active farmer participation and improved mindset of farmers, among others.
Saturday,
December-20-2003
Chinese and Japanese suppliers offer farm machinery
Japanese representative of Agriculture machinery has said that in collaboration with Shantui, they were producing good quality Bulldozers and had established a network to provide quality and efficiency after sale service.
Friday,
December-19-2003
Government to carry out Rs 42 billion Water Management Programme
The government has decided to carry out Water Management Programme (WMP) at a cost of Rs 42 billion for improvement of irrigation water channels to enhance agriculture productivity.
Friday,
December-19-2003
ANALYSIS: sagging tendency appears in cotton market
Despite lower arrivals of seed-cotton (kapas/phutti) reported by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) for the period ending December 15, 2003 compared with the market expectations which foresaw some improvement for the current fortnight, lint prices lost at least Rs 50 to Rs 75 per maund since last week.
Friday,
December-19-2003
Low arrival reports subdue cotton market
The latest fortnightly statement issued by ginners which has said that arrival had been much less than expected has restrained both sellers and buyers for the time being, said relevant sources on Thursday.
Friday,
December-19-2003
Cotton output may go up to 15 million bales by 2010
The government was adopting measures to achieve the production target of 15 million cotton bales by 2010 or even earlier as it is aware of the importance of this crop in the national economy.
Friday,
December-19-2003
Kinno export suffers due to shortage of containers
The export of Kinno, already reeling under tough competition from China in the Far East market, suffered yet another setback this week due to acute shortage of reefer containers in the country.
Friday,
December-19-2003
Low quality pesticides hit cotton crop
Low quality pesticides have affected the cotton crop and a shortfall of more than two million cotton bales is expected this year, said an agricultural expert.
Thursday,
December-18-2003
Easing of cotton price sparks hectic buying
The cotton prices eased despite latest seedcotton arrival having dropped substantially while buying support continued at faster note, the relevant sources said on Wednesday.
Thursday,
December-18-2003
Punjab assures smooth water supply to Sindh and Balochistan
Punjab on Wednesday assured smooth supply of water to Sindh and Balochistan through Chashma-Jehlum link canal during the closure of Chashma Barrage from December 28, 2003 to January 16, 2004 for repair work.
Thursday,
December-18-2003
Cotton arrivals much less than last year
Cotton production in the country has reached 7.484 million bales by middle of December which the ginners believe is much less than last year.
Thursday,
December-18-2003
Cotton growers oppose PCSI proposals
Board of Directors Pakistan Cotton Standards Institute (PCSI) made several new recommendations following which the growers expressed strong reservations on the recommendations of special committee.
Thursday,
December-18-2003
Onion to be imported
Unprecedented shortage of onions has obliged the government to import this commodity to overcome the price hike all over the country.
Thursday,
December-18-2003
Russian tractor makers team calls on Rind
Russian tractor manufacturers team on Tuesday visited the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and
Livestock and called on Minister for Food and Agriculture, Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind.
Wednday,
December-17-2003
Chakki owners protest against non-supply of wheat
The owners of flour grinding chakkis held protest in front of office of District Nazim here on
Tuesday against Food Department for not supplying them wheat.
Wednday,
December-17-2003
Wheat prices continue upward movement
The prices of wheat and wheat flour continue to move upward following short supply of wheat to
grinding units by the government, especially to small grinding units (chakkies).
Wednday,
December-17-2003
Team to visit India for buying sela rice plant
On instructions from federal government a 12-member delegation of rice mills will visit India in
the second week of January, 2004, and sign an agreement to purchase parboiled rice (sela) machinery and plant.
Wednday,
December-17-2003
PQA bills Minfal for Rs 90 million demurrage
The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) has been billed for about Rs 90 million
demurrage by the Port Qasim Authority (PQA,) for 2,260 tonnes of fertiliser lying in its storage since 1996.
Wednday,
December-17-2003
Sugar mills incur loss as ex-factory price reduced
The sugar mills are suffering further loss in the sale of sugar as the price of the commodity at ex-factory level has come down by one rupee per kg, selling at Rs 16 per kg.
Wednday,
December-17-2003
Passco authorised to import wheat: ECC decisions
In order to build reserves, stabilise prices, pre-empt hoarding and speculative tendencies, the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, which met on Tuesday here with Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz.
Wednday,
December-17-2003
Sugar industry's sickness boosts sunflower cultivation
The so-called sick sugar industry has given a fillip to the sunflower crop, particularly in Lower Sindh, which has been sown on 0.2 million acres in Thatta and Badin districts.
Tuesday,
December-16-2003
Pakistan trade eyes Indian cotton amid high prices
Pakistani mills are importing cotton from neighbouring India for the first time in several years as high local and international prices force them to look for cheaper sources, traders and cotton officials said.
Tuesday,
December-16-2003
Cotton prices ease, but buyers go for quality lots
There is no let up in cotton buying on the market owing to regular slide in prices, according to relevant sources on Monday.
Tuesday,
December-16-2003
Enough wheat stock available in country
The wheat commissioner, Food and Agriculture Ministry, Qadir Bukhsh Baloch, said on Monday enough wheat stock is available in the country to meet domestic requirement and rumours of shortage have no reality.
Tuesday,
December-16-2003
ECC may allow 0.5 million tonnes wheat import
The Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet is likely to approve import of 0.5 million tonnes wheat, in its meeting scheduled for Tuesday, to meet the anticipated shortfall.
Tuesday,
December-16-2003
Sugar and wheat prices show downtrend on commodity markets
A couple of essentials depicted downturn on the wholesale commodity markets while variations were also marked in other commodities during the week ended on December 12.
Monday,
December-15-2003
Punjab to form 200 Nehri Panchayats
While implementing the Institutional Reforms under the Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority (PIDA), the provincial government has decided to extend the operational capacity of canal system and form as many as 200 Nehri Panchayats (farmer organisations) in the Area Water Board by next year.
Monday,
December-15-2003
Heavy buying witnessed on cotton market
Cotton market had, as if, hung a red piece of cloth for "sales" increased on it which was responded duly by the consumers, who nearly bought one lakh bales or so, during the week ended on December 3, 2003.
Monday,
December-15-2003
PHDEB plans to boost citrus fruit exports
The Pakistan Horticulture Development Export Board (PHDEB) has planned to enter the Russian and Vietnamese markets to boost citrus fruit exports.
Sunday,
December-14-2003
EU decision against Super Basmati
Pakistan has expressed concern over European Union's possible decision to exclude 'Super' basmati rice from the abatement scheme by withdrawing the exemption of Euro 250 per metric ton.
Sunday,
December-14-2003
POSDB fails in providing sunflower seeds to growers
Pakistan Oil Seed Development Board's failure to provide seeds and technical support might adversely affect the cultivation of low delta crop -Sunflower - which helps in minimising the water shortage in Indus River lower region.
Sunday,
December-14-2003
Cotton prices entice ready buyers
The buying support continued on falling prices as sellers have realised stocks must have an outlet before world rates show further losses, relevant sources said.
Sunday,
December-14-2003
PPCBL to disburse Rs 7.5 billion loans
Punjab Co-operative Minister Colonel Malik Mohammad Anwer (Retd) on Saturday said the Punjab Provincial Co-operative Bank Ltd (PPCBL) will disburse loans worth Rs 7.5 billion among farmers and non-members to enhance agricultural produce of the province.
Sunday,
December-14-2003
Chinese soyabean imports up
China imported 19.18 million tonnes of soyabeans in the first 11 months of 2003, up 87 percent from the same period last year, the INTERNATIONAL Business Daily reported on Saturday, citing official customs figures.
Sunday,
December-14-2003
Scramble for better lots at cotton market
The cotton consumers appear to have been vying for the purchase of better cotton lots to fulfil commitment for standard yarn and other products, relevant sources said. The sources were pretty astonished at the relentless buying spree.
Saturday,
December-13-2003
Export of woods advocated to earn foreign exchange
Pakistan can earn precious foreign exchange by exporting woods like Kiker, Shishem, Mulberry, Deodar to different parts of the world particularly in Muslim countries, where Pakistani made furniture is in heavy demand.
Saturday,
December-13-2003
Minister to chair Senate body meeting on WTO
Minister to chair Senate body meeting on WTO.The experts in the sector Shafi Niaz, Dr Zafar Altaf, Akhtar Mahmood Khan, Dr Shahida Zia and Dr Syed Wajid H. Pirzada will also make a presentation on challenges confronting Pakistan's Agriculture in the wake of WTO regime and their solutions.
Saturday,
December-13-2003
Pakistani
rice exporters were still struggling
While the Pakistani rice exporters were still struggling to absorb the shock from the $60 million loss of European market, these entrepreneurs are now being haunted by fears of a possible setback in other markets too.
Saturday,
December-13-2003
Active trading in cotton market
Parked improvement was observed in cotton trading as more or less 14000 bales of cotton were
traded at lower prices. The deals below are lifted from DMR which are from both Sindh and Punjab, sources close to trade
said.
Friday,
December-12-2003
Parc board approves 81 projects
Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (Parc) approved 81 Agriculture Linkage Programme (ALP)
research projects involving estimated cost of Rs 395 million for promotion of all important fields of agriculture including
crops, animals, natural resources and social sciences.
Friday,
December-12-2003
Middleman reappears abruptly in sugar cane supply
The system of middleman has appeared abruptly for the supply of sugar cane to the sugar mills
comparatively at lower price.
Friday,
December-12-2003
Subsidy on transportation of sugar demanded
The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has demanded of the government grant of 'subsidy on
transportation' of sugar to make export of surplus commodity to Iran and Afghanistan possible through land route.
Friday,
December-12-2003
SAB concerned over reduction in sugarcane crushing season
President Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB) Abdul Majeed Nizamani has expressed grave concern over the
decision taken by the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) to terminate crushing season by March 15, 2004 all over the
country.
Friday,
December-12-2003
UK supports Pakistani stance on Super Basmati rice in EU
A 16-member visiting trade delegation of businessmen from the UK affirms support to Pakistan's
stance on withdrawal of duty abatement by the European Union on brown Super Basmati rice.
Friday,
December-12-2003
Fauji Fertiliser Bin Qasim to issue 2.66 percent right shares
Fauji Fertiliser Bin Qasim Ltd (formerly) FFC Jordan Fertiliser Co, plans to issue 2.66 percent
right shares.
Friday,
December-12-2003
Supreme Court rejects Nilom Mills petition
The Supreme Court of Pakistan rejected the petition filed by Nilom Nylon Mills Limited against the
decision of its winding up.
Friday,
December-12-2003
District government fails to monitor sale of fake pesticides
The Director General, Research and Agriculture Extension, Malik Muhammad AKRAM in a
clarification issued here on Thursday.
Friday,
December-12-2003
Training Workshop on WTO
Institute of Continuing Education & Extension, University of
Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore is going to conduct one day
Training Workshop on WTO & its impacts on Livestock, Poultry and
Fisheries Sectors on 20th December, 2003 at Seminar Hall, UVAS,
Lahore from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Friday,
December-12-2003
Removal of Super Basmati from duty exemption list resented
The LCCI Vice-President, Shahzad Ali Malik, while expressing his deep concern over the rice export issue, has said that the Pakistan's economy is based on agriculture export, and "if we lose the rice export market, it will prove serious jerk to our
economy.
Friday,
December-12-2003
Sindh chief secretary directs smooth wheat supply to utility stores
Sindh Chief Secretary (CS), Dr Mutawakkal Kazi, has directed the Secretary Food to erasure the supply of right quality wheat in good quantity to Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan (USCP) so that consumers could be supplied quality atta at government fixed price.
Thursday,
December-11-2003
Sugarcane sowing target hard to achieve
The target of sowing sugarcane crop during the current year cannot be achieved at any cost as a result of unprecedented heavy losses suffered by growers due to obduracy of sugar mill-owners.
Thursday,
December-11-2003
Water position at Tarbela and Mangla satisfactory
The water position at Tarbela, the largest dam of the country and Mangla Dam is satisfactory, and water release from both dams remained sufficient to meet the requirement of crops of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.
Thursday,
December-11-2003
Cotton trading brisk as rates ease
Trading in cotton continued at brisk pace as sellers showed relaxation in their attitude by reducing price, reported people close to trade on Wednesday.
Thursday,
December-11-2003
Donors and
Minful officials discuss loan and assistance matters
Frederick Roche, Director Asian Development Bank, held a meeting with Salik Nazir Ahmad, Secretary and Mumtaz Ahmad Sheikh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and LIVESTOCK (Minful) to discuss progress regarding Agriculture Sector
Programmed Loan (ASPL) and Agric business Development Project Loan.
Thursday,
December-11-2003
Seminar on DAIRY industry on December 11
A seminar on "Prospects of DAIRY industry in Pakistan" will be held on Thursday at 10 am at a
local hotel.
Thursday,
December-11-2003
Lower production reports spur cotton market activity
Buying support has been coming regularly on the cotton market despite firmer price
owing particularly to reports about lower production, relevant sources said.
Wednesday,
December-10-2003
Over 2 million cotton bales shortfall feared
There is likely to be a shortfall of over two million bales in the production of cotton this
season, affecting the country's exports.
Wednesday,
December-10-2003
Pakistani rice prices rise
Pakistani rice prices gained over the past week on slow supplies from farms, and dealers said
on Tuesday they expected values to rise further because of a slightly smaller crop than previously estimated.
Wednesday,
December-10-2003
TCP convenes meeting to discuss wheat import for SMEs
The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has convened a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the
possibilities of importing wheat to cater to immediate need of local flour mills and
khakis.
Wednesday,
December-10-2003
Licence of flour mill cancelled for black-marketing
Sindh Food and Agriculture Minister Arif Mustafa Jatoi has cancelled the
license of Korangi
Flour Mills for black-marketing wheat flour.
Wednesday,
December-10-2003
Sindh to procure wheat from Punjab
Sindh will procure wheat from Punjab to overcome the shortage of the commodity in the province.According to informed sources, negotiations between the officials of the two provinces are in progressInitially, Punjab is reported to have supplied 200,000 tonnes of wheat to Sindh.
Wednesday,
December-10-2003
FAP seeks early start of cane crushing
The Farmers Associates Pakistan (FAP) has made an appeal to President General Pervaiz Musharrafand Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali to intervene and direct sugar mills to immediately start crushing season, asinordinate delay is adversely
affecting the poor farmers.
Wednesday,
December-10-2003
Banks start cash payment to farmers for buying tractors
Trading support was conspicuous by its absence on the cotton market, according to DMR, as brokers said they had no deals in hand on Monday.
Tuesday,
December-09-2003
Quiet day on cotton market
Trading support was conspicuous by its absence on the cotton market, according to DMR, as brokers said they had no deals in hand on Monday.
Tuesday,
December-09-2003
Next fortnight to determine direction for cotton market
During the second fortnight of November, seed-cotton (phutti) arrivals were short due to five-day holiday of Eid festival, and total arrivals were reported by Pakistan Cotton Ginners' Association (PCGA) at 6.587 million local bales (1.94 percent short).
Tuesday,
December-09-2003
UAF arranges animal husbandry course
The University of Agriculture, Faisalabad is arranging for the
completion of deficiency course for graduates of animal husbandry to bringing them at par with
doctor of veterinary medicine graduates.
Tuesday,
December-09-2003
REAP splits on rice crisis
The losing group in the elections of the Rice Export Association of Pakistan (REAP) successfully made a show on the issue of withdrawal of abetment (duty concessions) from the brown (non processed) super basmati rice importers of European Union.
Monday,
December-08-2003
Cotton firm amid active trading
The cotton market remained firm on Saturday amid active buying.However, there was no sign of panic buying despite strong rumours of drastic crop shortfall.
Monday,
December-08-2003
Kissan Board rejects farm policies
Criticising the government policies for agriculture sector, the Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP) has claimed because of less produce of cotton, wheat, edible oil, rice and tobacco this year the government has suffered a colossal loss of Rs 100 billion.
Monday,
December-08-2003
Government urged to import wheat on urgent basis
The Union of Small & Medium Enterprises (Unisame) discussed the wheat crisis at a meeting and urged the private sector to bring the commodity from India as they are offering it at the cheaper rates.
Monday,
December-08-2003
Fish consumption very low in country
Fish consumption of 1.6 kg per capita in Pakistan is very low as compared to 24 kg in Japan, 20 kg in Europe and USA.
Monday,
December-08-2003
Cotton trading picks up gradually after Eid holidays
There was nothing very particular about trading in cotton during the week ended on December 6, 2003 as long holidays had made players sloth and also because losing world rates were in their interest.
Monday,
December-08-2003
Rice exporters divided over EU export issue
After the decision of the European Commission (EC) to withdraw the import duty facility of 250-euro on two varieties of Pakistani super Basmati and brown rice, the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has been divided into two groups, the sources in the industry told daily times here on Saturday.
Sunday,
December-07-2003
Wheat sowing with new 'bed planter' machine inaugurated at PARS
Professor Dr Riaz Hussain Qureshi, vice-chancellor, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, has said at present, Pakistan is facing a situation that all its developed water resources are inadequate to meet the irrigation and other water requirements.
Sunday,
December-07-2003
National Poultry Congress 2004
Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) has decided to hold National Poultry Congress & Exhibition 2004 in Lahore on April 9 & 10, 2004.
Sunday,
December-07-2003
Rice exporters advised to make shipments before December 31
A meeting of the rice exporters was held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) here on Saturday, to discuss the situation arising out of decision of the Cereals Experts Committee (CEC) of the European Union (EU) to specifically exclude Super Basmati variety from abatement of 250 Euro/ton.
Sunday,
December-07-2003
Brown rice exporters criticise Gafta draft regulation
Brown rice exporters of Pakistan, while criticising the draft of a regulation proposed by Grain and Feed Trade Association (Gafta), seeking export of non-existent lines of rice, have claimed that the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) should not consider the regulation, as it would practically eliminate Pakistan from the European market and would damage the national interests.
Saturday,
December-06-2003
EU withdraws facility of concession to super basmati
The Cereal Management Committee of the European Union (EU) has passed a regulation through voting, which provides that the Pakistani Super Basmati would not be eligible for abatement concession of Euro 250 per tonne with effect from January 1, 2004.
Saturday,
December-06-2003
Wheat crisis persists in urban Sindh
Imperfect wheat distribution policy of Food Department Government of Sindh resulted in acute shortage of wheat and wheat flour in urban Sindh.
Saturday,
December-06-2003
Lifting ban on Indian wheat on the cards
Lifting of ban on import of wheat from India is on the cards after Food Ministry's recommendations to Commerce Ministry that private sector is not in a position to import the commodity from any country despite zero-rate duty.
Saturday,
December-06-2003
Government urged not to include sugar in tradable items with India
Sugar industrialists and sugarcane growers, while raising their concern over reduction in tariff on certain importable items between Pakistan and India, have said that inclusion of sugar in tradable items could hit the sugar industry and growers again.
Saturday,
December-06-2003
Mechanism needed to boost agri knowledge
An effective mechanism is needed to strengthen agriculture knowledge and information system for transfer of technologies to farming community to boost economy for the uplift of rural poor.
Saturday,
December-06-2003
Shortfall news subdues cotton trading
The fortnightly phutti arrival report, which says production would be much less than
mills needs, made both sellers and buyers pretty cautious, leading to scant deals, relevant sources said. Deals remain usually low on Fridays, they said.
Saturday,
December-06-2003
Rice exporters meeting on December 6
Shahzad Ali Malik, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Vice-President, is holding an emergent meeting of rice exporters here on December 6.
Saturday,
December-06-2003
Pakistani stalls attract potential tobacco buyers at Barcelona Expo-2003
Pakistani stalls in Tabexpo-2003 held in Barcelona, Spain, attracted large number of visitors and prospective customers, who showed interest in the tobacco of Pakistan which will go a long way in promotion of Pakistan tobacco export, says a press release of the Pakistan Tobacco Board issued here on Thursday.
Friday,
December-05-2003
Kinno packaging: concern voiced over delay in release of subsidy
Pakistan Citrus Fruits and Persimmons Processors Association (PCFPPA) has expressed deep concern over inordinate delay in the release of Kinno packaging subsidy.
Friday,
December-05-2003
Sindh chief secretary directs officials to settle flour crisis
Sindh Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakkil Kazi has directed the Secretary Food Department to resolve the artificial crisis of hike in flour prices in Karachi jointly with District Co-ordination Officer Karachi.
Friday,
December-05-2003
Meeting to review wheat situation on December 6
Federal Wheat Disposal Committee would meet at Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) head office here on Saturday December 6 to review the overall position of wheat stock in the country.
Friday,
December-05-2003
Flour prices go up
The wheat floor crisis has resurfaced as with reported stoppage of supply of wheat to 175 flour grinding Chakkis in Hyderabad, Latifabad and Qasimabad for last 5 days the flour stocks have consumed with prices going up from Rs 10.50 per Kg during Ramazan to Rs 14 after Eid.
Friday,
December-05-2003
Sindh food department told to change wheat release system
The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) on Thursday issued warning to the Sindh Food Department that it should replace existing flawed wheat release system with some workable mechanism to ensure transparency and accuracy.
Friday,
December-05-2003
Situation exists in sugar mills
Six sugar mills have started functioning to commence the sugarcane crushing season 2003-04 in district Badin.
Friday,
December-05-2003
Cotton output may not cross 9.5 million bales
The cotton production has finally come into the negative column endorsing the fears that the production
would not cross 9.5 million bales.
Friday,
December-05-2003
Exports to Afghanistan rise
threefold
The Governor of NWFP, Lieutenant General Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah (Retd) has said that after a long time our western borders are experiencing positive changes from the trade-related viewpoint, and the exports to Afghanistan have almost crossed three times increase as compared to the situation prevailed some three years back.
Thursday,
December-04-2003
Developed varieties of crops provided additional income to farmers
Mohsin Iqbal, Director, Nuclear Institute for agriculture and Biology (Niab) has claimed that 21 improved/developed varieties of important crops including cotton, rice and pulses have provided a cumulative additional income of Rs 56 billion to farmers during a decade.
Thursday,
December-04-2003
Rs 3.319 million farm loans disbursed in three weeks
The provision of agricultural loans to small farmers for Rabi crop is going on, under one-window operation scheme of the Punjab Government, and in this regard the loans of Rs 3.319 million have been disbursed to 104 farmers in different Tehsils of district Faisalabad during the last three weeks, while 142 agricultural pass books have been issued to the farmers by the Revenue department, during the same period.
Thursday,
December-04-2003
4000 new watercourses to be
built
Sindh Government has decided to change watercourse construction cost-sharing formula for the farmers and has reduced it for them from 50 percent share to only 10 percent.
Thursday,
December-04-2003
Minfal meeting on December 4 to see wheat situation
An inter-provincial meeting has been convened for Thursday to take stock of the situation arising out of wheat released by the provincial food departments to the millers, over and above the quota during the last few months.
Thursday,
December-04-2003
Sherpao to visit provinces to resolve water-related issues
Federal water and Power Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao will visit all the provinces for resolving all the outstanding issues pertaining to water projects.
This was decided in a meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of water and Power Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao here on Wednesday.
Thursday,
December-04-2003
Activity picks up in cotton market
Trading in cotton has gathered momentum, though deals have not yet reached full strength, while prices remain steady, relevant sources said. The source estimated ginners' fortnightly arrival would be around 6,500,000 bales.
The official spot rate of cotton remained firm at Rs 3225 without ST and upcountry expenses.
Thursday,
December-04-2003
Medicinal plants organisation to be set up
The government has decided to set up Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Organisation (Mapo) under a
public sector university. Pakistan and some other Muslim countries have a great treasure of medicinal and aromatic plants, which need to be developed on commercial basis to provide affordable health care to the people.
Wednesday,
December-03-2003
Punjab to distribute 150,000 acres of land among tillers
Punjab government will distribute 150,000 acres of land among landless tillers in the province to help them
sustain their own livelihood.Briefing newsmen on the achievements of Punjab government during the past one year, Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Ellahi said that
12.5 acres of land would be given away to each of the tillers.
Wednesday,
December-03-2003
CDA may re-start water rationing
The continued dry weather in the catchment areas of the Federal Capital has forced the Capital
Development Authority (CDA) to restart water rationing for meeting any crisis, Business Recorder learnt on Tuesday.
Wednesday,
December-03-2003
Wapda issues clarification
The exemption of fixed charges to the industrial units for Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, attributed to the water and
Power Development Authority (Wapda) chairman, in a statement of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI), as appeared in
a section of the press, is incorrect. A Wapda spokesman said this in a clarification issued here on Tuesday.
Wednesday,
December-03-2003
Low-head power generation at Punjab canals soon
Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Tuesday announced that the provincial government was
planning to initiate low-head hydel power generation projects at different canals to exploit the power potential in the province.
Wednesday,
December-03-2003
Plan to build mini dams in Punjab designed
Punjab Power Minister Chaudhry Armughan Subhani has said that a well-knitted plan has been prepared for the construction of mini dams aimed at enhancing the water reservoirs and producing inexpensive electricity in the province.
Tuesday,
December-02-2003
Most Faisalabad streets flooded with sewerage water
The city's streets namely Madina Street, Dost Street and Odeon Street, which are connected with the Industrial Area, including Summandri Road, have been flooded with filthy and chemical-polluted water gushing out of choked sewerage lines and creating severe problems for business community.
Almost the similar situation has been prevailing in the vicinity of Maqbool Road.
Tuesday,
December-02-2003
Agricultural diversification can save country from WTO onslaught
Agricultural diversification can save the country from the onslaught of WTO and we have to find new avenues in this respect, said Dr Abdul Hayee Qureshi, Incharge WTO Wing of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC).
Tuesday,
December-02-2003
Probe into fraud in seed-cotton transportation fee begins
The enquiry into the swindling of Rs 4.5 million in seed cotton transportation fee against the Sanghar agriculture staff has started here to fix the responsibilities and initiate action against the culprits.
Tuesday,
December-02-2003
10 developing states getting Pakistan's saline land
reclamatio
Pakistan is providing saline land reclamation technology to about 10 developing countries through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Tuesday,
December-02-2003
Integrated farming being promoted in NWFP
The NWFP's Fisheries Department is trying to introduce the concept of integrated farming aimed at promoting various types of farming by reducing the production costs.
Tuesday,
December-02-2003
Musharraf praised for launching Thal Canal project
The Punjab Minister for Jails, Saeed Akbar Khan Niwani has said that a number of development projects have been initiated in the Thal area for the socio-economic uplift of the people.
He said this while addressing a big gathering here on Saturday evening, on his arrival from Lahore after becoming minister.
Monday,
December-01-2003
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