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Agri, industrial growth to surpass expectations
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said here Tuesday the overall agriculture sector remained positive during the first half of the current fiscal year despite the decline in the cotton crop and the impact of the bird flu crisis.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Government to assist farmers for better farm yield: Rind
The Federal Minister for Food & Agriculture, Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind, has said that government is determined to help farming community particularly small farmers because they are the backbone of country's economy as 40 percent of our exports depend on agriculture.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Sustainable fisheries policy demanded
Speakers at a round table conference called for a sustainable fisheries policy to be announced immediately to protect natural resources, coastline and inland waters , and urged the government to introduce a guideline framework to protect small fishermen.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Smeda starts work on farm tools standardisation
The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) has taken an initiative by starting work for standardisation of agricultural implements in Pakistan which might result in saving of 20-30 percent diesel.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Banks disburse Rs43 billion farm credit: July-Feb 2003/04
Banks have disbursed Rs43.16 billion farm credit in the first eight months of this fiscal year i.e. between July/February 2003/04 against the full fiscal year target of Rs65.5 billion.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Sugarcane growers switch over to sunflower
Practically all agriculturists in Sindh have switched over from sugarcane cultivation to sunflower cultivation following the alleged non-co-operation of the sugar mill owners in respect of the non-payment of various dues to the growers.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Minister briefed about benefits of international sugar body
Pakistan, being a new member of the London-based International Sugar Organisation (ISO), can benefit from the experiences of the organisation in various fields of sugar production.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Avian flu costs Rs 5.4 billion to poultry sector
The avian influenza has caused an estimated loss of Rs 5.4 billion to the poultry industry.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Iran allows private sector to import rice
The Iranian government has allowed the private sector to import rice on payment of 4 percent custom duty and 96 percent benefit tax.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

FAO pledges $390,000 to combat bird flu
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will provide a grant of $390,000 for implementation of disinfection techniques of the farms, mapping, disease modelling, zoning and enhanced laboratory diagnostic capacity.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Cotton market has a dull session
The cotton market again relapsed into inactivity and dullness on Tuesday as spinners retired to the sidelines after covering their positions.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Call for setting up 'meat development authority
Workshop on "Red Meat Situation Analysis" on Tuesday proposed to the government for the establishment of "Provincial Meat Development Authority" to improve the quality.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Mills have all-time high sugar stocks
With record sugar production of 3.361 million tonnes as on March 15, stocks available with the mill owners have piled up to 2.283 million tonnes.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Bird flu scare hurts livestock growth targets
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in its second quarterly report has highlighted the negative effect of avian influenza virus on the local poultry industry, saying it caused an enormous loss of about Rs 5.4 billion to the sector as a result the target growth of the live stocks sub sector seems difficult to achieve.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Sugar mill given deadline to control smoke emission
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) NWFP, has given two months deadline to the management of Frontier Sugar Mills, Takhtbai in district Mardan to take preventive measures for smoke emission, otherwise action against them would be taken under Pakistan Environment Protection Act 1997.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Agri bodies directed not to set up check-posts beyond jurisdiction
The director-general of agriculture and research on the directive of provincial food and agriculture minister issued notice to all agriculture produce market committees not to set up check-post beyond market-notified area or else legal action would be taken against them.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

A couple of deals reported on cotton market
A couple of deals were finalised in Sindh cotton till usual office hours on Tuesday, while actual trading taking place daily is much more, said relevant sources.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Poultry industry suffers Rs5.4bn loss
Pakistan's poultry industry has suffered a loss of Rs5.4 billion due to avian influenza that spread in November-December 2003 in and around Karachi's poultry farms.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Cotton market shows steady trend
The cotton market on Tuesday showed steady trend and was firmly held at the previous level despite falling demand, both from mills and spinners.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Flour price goes down
Flour price has begun to come down after arrival of the new wheat crop in the market as flour was being sold for Rs12 to Rs13 per kilogramme in the district on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

MPAs demand farm tax withdrawal
The NWFP Assembly has urged the government to stop collection of fixed land tax, saying that it is a violation of the Agriculture Income Tax Act, 2001, which exempts Rs80,000 income from agriculture produce, from being taxed.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

CDGK rejects hike in milk price
City District Government Karachi (CDGK) rejecting the recent price hike in milk has retained it at Rs 22 per liter as was prescribed in October 2003.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Six parties in run to buy Dalda business
Six parties remain in the run for purchase of Dalda business of Unilever Pakistan, and the transactions is expected to be completed within the next four weeks.
Wednesday, March-31-2004

Punjab governor assures help to PHDEB
Punjab Governor Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd) has advised the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board (PHDEB) to conduct complete value chain analysis of citrus and mango cultivation from pre-harvest to post-harvest process.
Tuesday, March-30-2004

ADB workshop for betterment of Barani area farmers
A one-day workshop on 'Sustainable Livelihood in Barani Areas' was held under auspices of Asian Development Bank and Agriculture Barani Area Development here on Monday. The workshop was inaugurated by Sialkot district Nazim Naeem Javed.
Tuesday, March-30-2004

Agriculture, market access deal by July
A senior official of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) said Monday that framework agreements on the thorny issues of agricultural subsidies and market access for non-agricultural products could be reached by July.
Tuesday, March-30-2004

Rs 30 million for welfare of fishermen
Fishermen's Co-operative Society (FCS), for the first time in its current budget, has allocated Rs 30 million for the welfare of fishermen.
Tuesday, March-30-2004

Brisk buying in cotton at lower rates
Brisk buying was witnessed in the cotton market on Monday at reduced rates. The buyers staged a comeback in a big way to cover their forward sales of yarn.
Tuesday, March-30-2004

Britain okays Pak rice, rejects Indian Pusa
British rice importers have accepted 51 varieties of Pakistani rice and rejected three Indian varieties from approved list.
Tuesday, March-30-2004

Trading gets slow on cotton market
Physical activity on the cotton market on Monday was relatively slow as leading spinners apparently took a technical breather after weekend's heavy covering purchases.
Tuesday, March-30-2004

Growers asked to guide govt on farm sector
A member of the Bio-Sciences and Administration, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik, has said development of the country depends on improvement in the agriculture sector.
Tuesday, March-30-2004

Recruitment plan changed
The directorate of livestock and dairy development will appoint 50 fresh officers, deviating from its original plan to induct 71 livestock research officers for which the NWFP Public Service Commission had also conducted tests , according to official sources.
Tuesday, March-30-2004

Recovery cases filed against 5 sugar mills
Cases have been filed against five sugar mills, in the courts of their respective districts, for recovery Rs 180 million of last year's dues of growers.
Tuesday, March-30-2004

Sizeable quantity of Sindh lint traded on cotton market
A respectable quantity of upper Sindh lint was traded on cotton market on Monday which manifests that trading is likely to sustain, relevant sources said.
Tuesday, March-30-2004

WTO and the challenge to exports
The WTO regulation presents challenges as well as opportunities to all stakeholders after the year 2004. Its trade regime is complex but is based on four simple rules.
Monday, March-29-2004

Plan to protect agri land from erosion prepared: speaker
Speaker National Assembly Chaudhry Amir Hussain has said that a well-knitted plan has been prepared for protecting vast area including agricultural land from erosion of River Niky Tavi in Chapra area.
Monday, March-29-2004

Milk becomes costlier
Milk producers, particularly in the largest milk-consuming urban centres in Karachi increase their prices off and on without any justification.
Monday, March-29-2004

Vaccine won't stop avian flu, doctor says
A veterinary pathologist at the University of Saskatchewan says an avian influenza vaccine for poultry is on its way, but that won't stop the spread of the virus.
Monday, March-29-2004

Call to change crop pattern
Sindh Food and Agriculture Minister Arif Mustafa Jatoi has stressed the need for changing crop pattern in the water deficient province of the country.
Monday, March-29-2004

Judges in a bind over forest laws
Special forest magistrates in the Provincially-Administered Tribal Areas are facing difficulties because the NWFP Forest Ordinance 2002 is not applicable over to those areas.
Monday, March-29-2004

Ecology bodies not yet formed
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act's provision requiring establishment of sectoral committees of environmental experts remains unfulfilled even after six years of its enforcement in 1997 , reveals information gathered from different sources.
Monday, March-29-2004

Duty exemption demanded on cotton waste import
The open end spinning industry would reach the brink of closure if the government did not extend a helping hand Pakistan Open End Spinners Association (POESA) said on Sunday.
Monday, March-29-2004

Bed-linen: the anti-dumping game
The imposition of 13.1 per cent anti-dumping duties on imports of Pakistani bedlinen by the European Union, which was notified on March 5 and became effective on March 17.
Monday, March-29-2004

Spot rate cut by Rs 25 on cotton market
The ginners in Pakistan had their nerves under hold expecting support to come from abroad enabling them to gain but it was not to so during the week ended on March 27, 2004.
Monday, March-29-2004

ANALYSIS: cotton prices stay weak due to sluggish yarn market
The speculation about the size of current cotton crop has now come to an end when it has been determined around 10.0 million bales ex-gin.
Monday, March-29-2004

Bahria University to set up institute of marine sciences at Gwadar
Bahria University has planned to establish a modern, fully equipped institute of marine sciences at Gwadar.
Sunday, March-28-2004

Prices ease on cotton market
Cotton prices on Saturday eased by another Rs25 per maund as some of the ginners holding odd lots of low-mic lint sold in a bit haste.
Sunday, March-28-2004

Sindh traders to purchase wheat in big quantity: Punjab may face crisis
Taking advantage of the government's open wheat policy, the influential commission agents and waderas of Sindh have made advance payments of hundreds of thousands of rupees to the Punjab businessmen to purchase heavy stocks of wheat.
Sunday, March-28-2004

Trading picks up pace on cotton market
Trading in cotton on Saturday gained acceleration pace as ginners further reduced prices to lure the spinners to the market, relevant sources said.
Sunday, March-28-2004

Change in crop pattern inevitable for agri-sector growth
Sindh Food and Agriculture Minister Arif Mustafa Jatoi has said that change in cropping pattern replacing high delta crop by high value low delta crop is inevitable for the sustainable development of the agriculture sector in this part of the country where water stress is common phenomenon.
Sunday, March-28-2004

Ministry receives proposals to formulate sugar policy
Ministry of Industries and Production has received proposals from all stakeholders regarding formulation of long term sugar policy to resolve problems on permanent basis.
Sunday, March-28-2004

URS holds conference on food safety
United Registrar of Systems (URS), a UK based food quality and safety certification organisation, in partnership with the leading biscuit company, English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM), organised a third National Conference on Food Safety under the banner of 'Safe Food 2004' here on Saturday.
Sunday, March-28-2004

Promotion of agriculture: laser technology being introduced in Sialkot
Sialkot District Government has adopted special measures for the promotion and expansion of agriculture on modern and scientific lines in the district.
Saturday, March-27-2004

Sunflower cultivation up by 31 percent
Sunflower has been cultivated on a record area of 521,000 acres so far against a target of 400,000 acres fixed for 2003-04, showing 31 percent increase in acreage over the last year.
Saturday, March-27-2004

Rice millers observe strike
Sixty-five rice mills in Kandhkot, Ghouspur, Karampur, Tangwani and Buxapur observed strike on the second consecutive day on Friday against a tax levied by the market committee on the transportation of rice.
Saturday, March-27-2004

Major crops production on decline for five years
Major crops production losses in the province during the past five years amount to Rs 100 billion if calculated on the basis of market value.
Saturday, March-27-2004

FCA meeting on April 3 to review crops situation
The Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) will meet here early next month to review the Rabi crops situation and set targets for Kharif 2004-05 and there is likelihood that target production of cotton and rice would be revised upward, depending on availability of water and pesticides in the coming season.
Saturday, March-27-2004

Cotton market outlook remains cheerless
The cotton market passed another dull and cheerless day on Friday when both the buyers and sellers remained glued to the sidelines.
Saturday, March-27-2004

No buying activity on cotton market
Physical business on the cotton market on Friday remained insipid as spinners and mills again kept to the sidelines apparently awaiting confirmation of fresh export orders for the quarter ending June 30.
Saturday, March-27-2004

Dull trading on cotton market
Trading in cotton was cheerless as not a single bale was noted having changed hands on Friday which is usually a 'thin' day, relevant sources said.
Saturday, March-27-2004

Plan underway to promote forestry in Punjab
Punjab Forest Department is working on a comprehensive plan to further promote forestry in the province, said Sajjad Hussein Chattha Punjab Secretary Forest.
Friday, March-26-2004

Pakistan, Indian flour millers join hands
Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) and Rollers Flour Millers Federation of India (RFMFI) have announced the setting up of an Indo-Pak Roller Flour Mills Federation (IPRFMF) here on Thursday in order to solve their combined problems and exchange and share technology.
Friday, March-26-2004

Chicken prices jump by Rs14 in five days
Smelling consumers' restoring confidence on chicken after a deep fall in consumption owing to bird flu scare, poultry farmers and wholesalers have finally given a deep jerk to the end-users by pushing up prices of live bird by Rs8 per kg in just one day and Rs14 per kg in just five days.
Friday, March-26-2004

3.72 million tonnes sugar production expected in 2004
Over 32 million tonnes of sugarcane was crushed and another 10 million tonnes available with sugar mills for the ongoing season and the government was expecting a total production of 3.72 million tonnes sugar during 2004.
Friday, March-26-2004

Punjab government to allow private sector for WBFs
Punjab government is going to allow private sector for setting up Wildlife Breeding Farms (WBFs) aiming at to increase number of rapidly declining rare animals.
Friday, March-26-2004

Immediate ban on fine fishing nets urged
Small fishermen who use wooden boats and depend on creeks for their livelihood, have called for an immediate implementation of a ban on dangerous nets as proposed to be enforced.
Friday, March-26-2004

200,000 subsidized flour bags sold
Over 200,000 20kg subsidized flour bags have been sold to the deserving persons in the city under the Sasta Atta Scheme since January and over 100,000 are in the pipeline.
Friday, March-26-2004

Bird owners asked to get licences
The district game warden has asked people owning prohibited birds and animals to get licences by April 10.
Friday, March-26-2004

No trading seen on cotton market
Nil trading was reported on the cotton market as prices firmed at lower level but cotton market in New York showed ways to spinners to wait for a short while to see how ginners here behaved, relevant sources said.
Friday, March-26-2004

Safe Food 2004' conference on March 27
The 3rd national conference on food safety "Safe Food 2004" will be held in Lahore on Saturday.
Friday, March-26-2004

National Poultry Congress & Exhibition from April 9
Poultry scientists and experts from various countries have confirmed their participation in 'National Poultry Congress 2004' to be held here on April 9 & 10.
Friday, March-26-2004

Committee to probe into mutton price hike
The Punjab government has constituted a committee, led by Secretary Livestock Department, which will review the situation with regards to increase in the prices of mutton and submit its report within a week.
Friday, March-26-2004

Fixing of atta prices provincial matter, National Assembly told
National Assembly was informed on Thursday that the prices of atta were fixed by the provincial governments and the federal government had no role in pricing mechanism.
Friday, March-26-2004

No more wheat shortage in Sindh
All problems relating to wheat shortage in Sindh have finally settled down.
Friday, March-26-2004

Ghee export to Kabul becomes unviable
Exclusion of ghee from the negative list of Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA) has made its export unviable, besides making local industry vulnerable to smuggled cooking oil and ghee.
Friday, March-26-2004

ANALYSIS: pressure continues on cotton prices
Pressure continued to mount on cotton prices this week which relented by Rs 25 to Rs 50 per mound (37.32 kgs) in the ready market. Turnover remained low but some sources say that several thousand bales are sold daily but are not all being reported or recorded.
Friday, March-26-2004

Trading fails to pick up on cotton market
The cotton market on Thursday passed through another dull trading session as spinners and mills kept to the sidelines despite being in short supply position.
Friday, March-26-2004

Millers dispute exporters' plea for Indian rice
Rice millers and exporters have entangled themselves in the issue of available local stocks and exportable surplus of Irri-6 at a time when India has agreed to allow Pakistani exporters to lift 0.5 million tons rice for re-export.
Thursday, March-25-2004

Iran lifts ban on fruits import from Pakistan
Iran has removed all restrictions on the import of Pakistani fruits imposed on health grounds, following tactful persuasion from the private sector with the backing of the federal government.
Thursday, March-25-2004

Protest against irrigation officials
A large number of growers of Khan Wah and Sadarang Wah continued their protest against irrigation officials for the second consecutive day here on Wednesday.
Thursday, March-25-2004

Integrated efforts vital for livestock development
Integrated efforts are vital to undertake livestock development activities to attain required pace of progress for improvement of national onomy.
Thursday, March-25-2004

Iran's concern about quality of Pakistani fruits removed
The Government of Pakistan has been able to remove doubts and concerns of the Iranian government regarding quality of Pakistani fruits that has opened up a big export market for Pakistani kinoo and mangoes.
Thursday, March-25-2004

Government urged to allow import of Irri-6 rice from India
The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) has urged the government to allow import of Irri-6 rice from India on back-to-back letter of credit (LC) to help exporters fulfil their export commitments.
Thursday, March-25-2004

Sugar mills seek government help over SCC warning
Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has sought federal government's intervention against Sindh Cane Commissioner's warning to the millers that they would be arrested under Sugar Factories Act/ Rules 1950, if could not ensure payments to the growers within a week.
Thursday, March-25-2004

Pakistan's palm oil imports slow on high world prices
Pakistan's palm oil market remained mixed over the past week, with importers preferring to wait for world prices to ease before booking new orders, dealers said.
Thursday, March-25-2004

FAO helps initiate crop maximisation project
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)-assisted "crop maximisation project" has been initiated in 109 villages of Sindh, NEWFP, Balochistan, Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
Thursday, March-25-2004

Cotton & Cotton collections attract Indian designers
Cotton & Cotton was the only fashion brand amongst others selected by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) for participation in the single country - Made in Pakistan - exhibition held in Delhi from March 3 to 11.
Thursday, March-25-2004

Lull prevails in cotton market
Lull prevailed in the cotton market on Wednesday in the absence of buyers.
Thursday, March-25-2004

Cotton exporters allowed change in tax category
The Sales Tax Wing of Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has allowed cotton exporters to change their category.
Thursday, March-25-2004

Dull trading on cotton market
Trading on the cotton market on Wednesday was affected by final one-day cricket match between Pakistan and India as both buyers and sellers remained conspicuous by their absence.
Thursday, March-25-2004

Leasing companies may be asked to provide farm credit: Ishrat
Dr Ishrat Husain, Governor State Bank of Pakistan, has said that if banks do not operate agriculture credit in accordance with the instructions of the SBP, leasing companies would be asked to come forward and take up the task.
Wednesday, March-24-2004

No fresh wheat cargoes sought
Pakistan will not seek replacement wheat imports for four Australian cargoes it rejected on quality grounds, the head of the country's state-run grain storage firm told Reuters on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March-24-2004

Fruit and vegetable consignments
The Collectorate of Customs (Export) has withdrawn exemption of dog sniffing for drug checks on fresh fruits and vegetable consignments, and directed the concerned staff to examine all such consignments on random or selective basis, considering the profile of the exporters.
Wednesday, March-24-2004

Pakistan set to achieve record sugar production
The country is poised to achieve record sugar production at 4.1 million tons after harvesting good sugarcane crop resulting from heavy rains of last year and improvement in supply of irrigation water.
Wednesday, March-24-2004

Markets awash with smuggled ghee and cooking oil
The markets of Peshawar are flooded with the smuggled cooking oil and ghee, being sold out in open market without any check from the law-enforcement agencies, said sources in business circles on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March-24-2004

Pakistan will not seek to replace Australian wheat
Pakistan will not seek replacement wheat imports for four Australian cargoes it rejected on quality grounds, the head of the country's state-run grain storage firm told Reuters on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March-24-2004

Urea price goes up by Rs 5 per bag
Urea price has gone up by Rs 5 a bag, which would take the dealers' delivery price from Rs 428 to Rs 433 for Rabi crops. However, for the end users the prices may range between Rs 445 and Rs 450 a bag.
Wednesday, March-24-2004

Afghanistan starts buying Pakistani poultry
Afghanistan has agreed to import poultry from Pakistan quashing the ban imposed after the bird flu rumours, Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) Secretary General Chaudhry Majeed said here on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March-24-2004

ADB to help uplift of SMEs, agriculture
(Asian Development Bank will help increase access to credit for agriculture and small and medium enterprises in Pakistan by strengthening secured transactions, through a technical assistance (TA) grant of US$500,000.
Wednesday, March-24-2004

Reap offers to buy Pipri rice gowdowns
Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) has approached the government to purchase rice godowns at Pipri for creating a 'rice zone' with godowns and processing units at one place.
Tuesday, March-23-2004

Passco and food departments told to open more wheat centres
The wheat committee on Monday approved a pro-active grain procurement plan for 2003-04, wherein Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) and provincial food departments have been directed to double their procurement points as compared to last year.
Tuesday, March-23-2004

Halal food in USA
A study report, by Dr Hany Atchan, Ph.D and Lori Walter RN of the Muslim American Council for Consumers Advocacy, has raised serious questions about the so-called Halal quality of chicken meat, beef, mutton and even dairy products sold in the US.
Tuesday, March-23-2004

Identification of areas in agri sector praised
The Union of Small & Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has appreciated the identification of various areas in agricultural sector by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture & Livestock for investment.
Monday, March-22-2004

Three Sindh districts declared most suitable for oil palm farming
Mirpursakro, Ghora Ban, Keti Bandar, Kharo Chhan, Jati, Shah Bandar, Sujawal and Mirpur Bathoro of district Thatta and Talhar, S.F. Rahu (Golarchi); Math, and Tando.
Monday, March-22-2004

Al-Ghazi Tractors profit up 127 percent on higher sales
The profits of Al-Ghazi Tractors Ltd, manufacturer of Fiat brand of tractors in Pakistan, registered a massive improvement of 127 percent on back of higher demand from farmers in 2003.
Monday, March-22-2004

Pak imposes bar on import of poultry products from 11 countries
Pakistan has imposed bar officially on the import of poultry products from 11 countries toavert bird flu menace.
Monday, March-22-2004

A community perspective on deep-sea fishing
The Pakistani coast is spread over 1050 km including approximately 350km in Sindh and 700 km in Balochistan province. It is rich in marine resources and provides means of livelihood for more than two million people mainly through fishing business.
Monday, March-22-2004

Timely payment to growers promised
Growers will be immediately paid for wheat through banks nearest to them, for which the State Bank has issued instructions to all bank branches in Sindh.
Monday, March-22-2004

Sellers resist surrendering to buyers in cotton market
The flow of seed-cotton from fields to marketplaces and ginning factories is going on and is likely to continue till the end of next month.
Monday, March-22-2004

Eight percent less arrival of seed cotton in ginneries
The seed cotton arrival in Sindh ginneries continue to flag 8 percent decline as compared to the corresponding period last year, but the monitoring cell was optimistic that cotton production losses would be further trimmed when the final survey of the cotton crop would be over.
Monday, March-22-2004

Lowering cotton prices by ginners results in some good buying
Pulling down prices early in last week generated some good buying prompting ginners to reassess the situation owing to world rates moving on the reverse course, relevant sources said commenting on the week's trading which ended on March 20, 2004.
Monday, March-22-2004

FAO to provide $390,000 to combat bird flu
The government has signed an agreement with the FAO to get financial assistance of US$ 390,000 for the training of farmers and government workers on the safe disposal of disease relating to birds.
Sunday, March-21-2004

Poppy crop over 2,000 kanals destroyed
Growers have voluntarily destroyed standing poppy crop over 2,000 kanals in far-flung parts of the agency, officials said on Saturday.
Sunday, March-21-2004

Pakistan to buy 500,000 tonnes rice from India
Pakistani exporters will purchase 500,000 tons of IRRI rice if needed to cater to the existing buyers of rice to earn additional foreign exchange of more than $125 million for the country.
Sunday, March-21-2004

NOC issued for rejected wheat withdrawal
The Ministry of Commerce and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have issued no-objection certificate (NOC) to Tradesman International, a Karachi-based company, for withdrawal of four ships from Port Qasim, carrying 0.15 million tons rejected Australian wheat.
Sunday, March-21-2004

Growers urged to adopt latest technology
Speakers at a seminar on "Water Conservation Technology" have urged the sugarcane growers to adopt latest technology for saving water and slashing production cost.
Sunday, March-21-2004

Two export zones for farm goods soon
Punjab government has decided to establish two export zones for agriculture commodities shortly in the province.
Sunday, March-21-2004

Minfal identifies 11 areas for investment in farm sector
The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) has identified various areas to be focused on investment in the agriculture sector aiming to enhancing economic growth and prosperity in the country.
Sunday, March-21-2004

Good bit of trading on cotton market
Good bit trading in cotton was marked, mostly in Sindh lint, at lower prices which suited the exporters of yarn and textile items, relevant sources said on Saturday.
Sunday, March-21-2004

Ginners oppose hedge trading in cotton
The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association has opposed the idea of reopening of hedge trading in the cotton market, declaring it a recipe to disaster.
Sunday, March-21-2004

Reduction of subsidy on farm goods sought: WTO negotiations
Pakistan along with other developing countries have urged developed countries to reduce subsidy and domestic support on agriculture products to resume the negotiations for early completion of Doha Development Agenda.
Saturday, March-20-2004

No threat to local fishermen by deep-sea fishing
Tariq Ikram, Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), on Friday ruled out notions that deep-sea fishing operations were bringing harm to marine resources and seafood export as their activities were ‘well-checked’ by the authorities concerned.
Saturday, March-20-2004

Irri-6 rates fixed by Centre, PA told
Agriculture Minister Arif Mustafa Jatoi informed the Sindh Assembly session on Friday that the prices of pesticides have decreased during the last five years , whereas the rates of IRRI-6 have been fixed by the federal government.
Saturday, March-20-2004

Farmers to be apprised of new world trends
The government has decided to establish a mechanism to monitor requirements and new trends of the international market before sowing of major crops.
Saturday, March-20-2004

ZTBL raises credit limits for various crops
Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), keeping in view the escalation in prices of agri inputs, has increased the fixed per acre input credit limits for various crops so that the credit needs of farmers can be met effectively.
Saturday, March-20-2004

Growers training
Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority (PIDA) will organise a training programme for growers in a bid to update their knowledge about water management, agriculture extension and fertility of the agriculture land.
Saturday, March-20-2004

Seminar on yellow rust from March 22
The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (Parc) is organising a five-day international second regional yellow rust conference here from March 22.
Saturday, March-20-2004

Call for balanced use of fertilizers - World congress of soil scientists
Tenth international congress of soil scientists at its concluding session held at the Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, on Thursday called for long-term research in the field of agriculture.
Saturday, March-20-2004

Import of Indian rice opposed
Sindh Abadgar Board president Majeed Nizamani has taken exception to statement made by the chief of the Rice Export Association of Pakistan chief in Mumbai that Pakistan would be without rice unless the association was permitted to import rice from India.
Saturday, March-20-2004

Cotton market resists fresh decline
Cotton market on Friday resisted fresh decline as ginners again raised their asking prices followed by reports of bullish trend on the world trading centres.
Saturday, March-20-2004

Wheat crisis growing
While the officials in the ministries of food and agriculture at the federal and provincial levels keep claiming improvement in supply of wheat.
Friday, March-19-2004

Protests against flour price rise
Activists of Pasban held a demonstration outside the press club here on Thursday to protest against rise in flour price.
Friday, March-19-2004

Cane-growers stage sit-in - Demand for payment of dues
Sugarcane growers on Wednesday night staged a sit-in near Moro against the non-payment of dues by sugar mills.
Friday, March-19-2004

Wheat quota to six flour mills cancelled
Sindh Food Department on Thursday cancelled the wheat quota to six flour mills of Sindh after receiving the complaints that these flour mills are not complying the orders of government to set up flour stalls at Bacahat Bazars of Karachi.
Friday, March-19-2004

Cotton market stays firm
The cotton market on Thursday stayed firm as both spinners and mills remained active buyers at the current levels as they fell in line with their export parity levels.
Friday, March-19-2004

Council resents wheat shortage
District council members have expressed concern over shortage of wheat and rising prices of flour as well as sale of spurious cotton seeds in the district.
Friday, March-19-2004

ANALYSIS: turnover improves in cotton market
Though the lint prices mostly remained at their previous low levels, the volume of daily business reported in the ready market in Karachi reached a respectable figure of 15,000 bales.
Friday, March-19-2004

Around 12,000 bales change hands on cotton market
Spinners appeared quite optimistic about the ruling low cotton prices and did not spare any lot that was put on offers, relevant sources said.
Friday, March-19-2004

Task force formation on goods quality hailed
The Pakistan Cotton Fashion Apparel Manufacturers and Exporters Association's Chairman, Dr Arshad Shahzad, has congratulated Federal Minister for Commerce Humayun Akhter Khan for formation of task force on quality and standards of Pakistani products.
Friday, March-19-2004

Cotton steady amid moderate buying
The cotton market depicted a steady tone amid moderate buying on Wednesday.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Rejected wheat close to sale
Negotiations were well advanced for on-selling four cargoes of Australian wheat rejected by Pakistan authorities, a Pakistani shipping official and the Karachi importer of the wheat said on Wednesday.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Spinners, mills make covering purchases
The cotton market on Wednesday passed through another actively traded session as spinners and mills made fresh covering purchases after ginners lowered their asking prices.
Thursday, March-18-2004

No govt godown in Sialkot, says Nazim - Wheat storage
There is no government godown in the district for wheat storage. This was stated by District Nazim Mian Naeem Javaid here on Wednesday.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Wheat supply
The Chakki Owners Association of Mirpurkhas taluka has welcomed the government's initiative for reducing the price of flour in the market, by ensuring a wheat quota to the chakkis owners, at a meeting held here on Wednesday.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Govt fails to contain rising atta price
Rates of the wheat flour continued the upward flight in the city despite price checking campaign launched by the city government under the directives of the governor and city nazim.
Thursday, March-18-2004

9.673 million cotton bales arrive at ginneries
Over 9.673 million cotton bales have so far reached the ginneries, a report issued by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) said here on Wednesday.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Spinners resort to calculated buying on cotton market
Movement was evident on the cotton markets as spinners resumed calculated buying after a long gap to observe the price trend, the relevant sources said on Wednesday.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Farm researchers urged to help achieve food security
President General Pervez Musharraf, in his message to 10th Congress of Soil Science held at the Sindh Agriculture University.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Importance of soil science stressed
Sindh Food and Agriculture Minister Arif Mustafa Jatoi has said that the soil science is unique as it draws from ecology, geology, biology and many other natural and life sciences, and expressed hope that the 'Congress of Soil Science' would have adequate deliberation.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Mill to pay part of cane growers dues on March 18
A meeting between representatives of protesting growers and the Mirpurkhas Sugar Mills management concluded an agreement through which the management will pay arrears of growers.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Wheat rejected by Pakistan close to sale
Negotiations were well advanced for on-selling four cargoes of Australian wheat rejected by Pakistan authorities, a Pakistani shipping official and the Karachi importer of the wheat said on Wednesday.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Traders vying for Sindh wheat
A large number of wheat traders from Balochistan and lower Punjab were here, in Hyderabad, with a view to sign contracts for supply of wheat from the new wheat crop.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Anti-narcotics checks affect Kinno export to Jeddah
The export of Kinno to Jeddah is down by 50 percent due to anti-narcotics checks, which result in damage to the perishable item in the prevailing hot weather, fruit exporters said on Wednesday.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Deep sea fishing licences to be finalised soon
The awarding of licences for deep sea fishing is under process and matter will be sorted out soon paving the way for better prospects of the sector.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Beef packer tallow tender floated
Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has floated a tender for the auction of 8,000 metric tonnes beef packer tallow imported from USA under Pakistan FFP Programme FY 2003.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Pakistani farmers reap huge benefits
Pakistan's palm oil market remained mixed to bullish over the past week but dealers said on Wednesday importers were reluctant to place big orders due to high international prices.
Thursday, March-18-2004

Pakistani farmers reap huge benefits
The farmers have reaped huge benefits because of government’s protection to fertiliser prices and huge rises in the prices of agricultural produce specially wheat.
Wednesday, March-17-2004

Wheat target to be achieved, says minister
The wheat target fixed by the government will be achieved as the crop is in good condition, and weather conditions are most conducive, said Punjab Agriculture Minister Arshad Khan Lodhi.
Wednesday, March-17-2004

Sindh mill owners yet to pay Rs 120 million to cane growers
Industries and Production Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi informed the National Assembly on Tuesday that Sindh mill owners were yet to pay Rs 120 million to the sugarcane growers.
Wednesday, March-17-2004

Taiwan says rice tariffs to stay despite protests
Taiwan will keep its rice import tariff-quota system despite protests from exporting nations like the United States who say they are overly restrictive and
don’t conform to international trade standards.
Wednesday, March-17-2004

Cotton market loses further ground
The cotton market started moving on the descending path on Tuesday with the lint prices losing more ground.
Wednesday, March-17-2004

High prices scupper rice exports
Pakistani rice exports remained under pressure in the past week because of high domestic prices and low international demand, and traders said on Tuesday business was likely to be dull in coming weeks.
Wednesday, March-17-2004

Growers for EPZ
Potato growers have urged the Punjab government to establish an exports' processing zone in the district on the pattern of the one for citrus in Bhalwal.
Wednesday, March-17-2004

Punjab govt to buy entire wheat crop
The Punjab government has made arrangements for procuring 3.5 million tons of wheat, and it would keep buying the crop till the last grain available, Food Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal told Dawn.
Wednesday, March-17-2004

High prices scupper Pakistani rice exports
Pakistani rice exports remained under pressure in the past week because of high domestic prices and low international demand, and traders said on Tuesday business was likely to be dull in coming weeks.
Wednesday, March-17-2004

What caused wheat crisis in Sindh?
Wheat shortage in Sindh has been created due to mismanagement by various government functionaries, flour-mills, chakky owners, wheat traders and middlemen, resulting in atta price sky-rocketing to Rs 16 per kg and even to Rs 20 in some areas.
Wednesday, March-17-2004

Badin farmers switch to sunflower
A large number of farmers and agriculturists in Badin district have switched to sunflower farming after they suffered huge losses on sugarcane cultivation.
Wednesday, March-17-2004

Modest trading noted on cotton market amid spot rate cut
Modest trading was noted on the cotton market on Tuesday as ginners showed reservations in offering as in their view prices were low, relevant sources said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March-17-2004

Afghanistan lifts ban on chickens from Pakistan
Afghanistan has lifted a ban on the import of live chickens from Pakistan, state news announced on Monday.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Country has 2 million tonnes surplus rice
The vice-president, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Shahzad Ali Malik, has taken strong exception of the reported statement of the head of the Pakistani delegation visiting New Delhi that Pakistan plans to buy 500,000 tonnes of rice from India to meet its export commitments.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Reap inks MoU with AIREA
The visiting delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA).
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Australian wheat formally rejected
Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) has formally conveyed to the Tradesman International that its decision to rejected Australian wheat case was irreversible and it could seek permission from the government of Pakistan (GoP) to take back all the four ships from Karachi port.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Flour prices to settle down at Rs 12 per kg by march-end
Sindh Food and Agriculture Minister Arif Mustafa Jatoi has said that flour prices would settle down at or around Rs 12 per kilogram by the end of March.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Federal Poultry Board meeting on March 16
Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind will chair the meeting of the Federal Poultry Board being held at Islamabad on March 16.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Cotton market abuzz with trading activity
A burst of trading activity was marked on the cotton market on Monday where spinners returned, with a vengeance, relevant sources said.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Restructuring of sugar industry on modern lines demanded
President Sindh Abadgar Board Abdul Majeed Nizamani has extolled the federal government's decision to purchase 0.5 million tons surplus sugar from the sugar industry.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Buyers rule weak cotton market
The buyers continued to dominate the cotton scene on Monday as prices kept falling due to panic selling by the ginners.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Indian rice exporters not to get subsidy
India will not give any subsidy to its rice exporters this year; the Indian minister for finance and food Surshe Jain said this while was talking with the Pakistani delegation of rice exporters in Mumbai on Sunday.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Ginners lower prices on cotton market
Brisk trading was witnessed on the cotton market on Monday as spinners and mills resumed their covering operations after ginners lowered their asking prices.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

REAP seeks directive on tax cut
Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) vice-chairman Shaikh Arshad Mahmood has drawn the attention of the member direct taxes, CBR, towards the fact that banks are still deducting 1.25 per cent withholding tax on packings above five kilograms.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Poultry industry seeks soft loan
The poultry industry is seeking finances on low mark up to re-establish itself in the post-bird flu crisis period. The crisis has turned the economics of the entire sector upside down.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Hunger strike against flour shortage in Hyderabad
A large number of people from Qasimabad area observed a token hunger strike outside the press club here on Monday to protest against flour shortage in the city.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

BSc (Hon) food science, technical programme proposed
The National Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC) of the Higher Education Commission has recommended launching of a separate four-year BSc (Honours) Food Science and Technology programme.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Atta prices to be made stable by April
Sindh Food Minister Arif Ali Khan Jatoi, on Monday, assured that flour prices would be stabilized by the first week of April. "We have to face difficulty for the next seven to 10 days, when the wheat procurement from Sindh will start, thus, improving the over all stock position," the minister told a press conference.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Japan to fund projects for fishermen
A three-member mission from Japan visited the Karachi Fish Harbour on Monday to identify development projects in the light of requirements of the harbour.
Tuesday, March-16-2004

Foreign wheat tests save local farmers
Pakistan has taken a decision on the wheat consignment from Australia on the basis of intensive laboratory tests. But the scandal surrounding the episode is unlikely to die in a hurry.
Monday, March-15-2004

Political economy of water resources
It appears that the next fisticuffs would be fought over water, especially in South Asia. The conflict of Kashmir is actually the dispute of water. Both, India and Pakistan are assaying to get the control of the two rivers Jhehlum and Chenab.
Monday, March-15-2004

Holiday mood prevails in cotton
Holiday prevailed in the cotton market on Saturday as everyone watched the crucial one-day cricket match between Pakistan and India; resultantly, the trading hall wore a deserted look.
Monday, March-15-2004

Hyderabad flooded with low quality wheat flour
Roller flour mills owners flooded the city with wheat flour by setting up 70 sale points throughout the city following the consensus reached between mills owners.
Monday, March-15-2004

Agri University vice chancellor calls for target-oriented policies
University of Agriculture vice chancellor Dr Bashir Ahmed has urged to evolve target-oriented policies to meet food requirements of the country and face challenges posed to the agrarian economy after the implementation of the WTO regime.
Monday, March-15-2004

ANALYSIS: buyers rule over prices amid weak cotton market
The ground realities indicate that the flow of cotton arrivals from fields to market places or ginning factories may continue beyond March, against the earlier expectations.
Monday, March-15-2004

Cotton market stays Sluggish
Trading in cotton remained sluggish as China did not enter world markets with a big shopping list as was expected infusing perception in buyers to wait for drop in prices, during the week ended on March 13, 2004.
Monday, March-15-2004

Smeda's financial support sought for poultry industry
Poultry industry needs immediate support in the form of finances on low mark-up to enable it to re-stand on its feet.
Monday, March-15-2004

Non-payment of dues: growers asked to suspend cane supply to mills
The Sindh Abadgar Board has decided to get supply of sugarcane to the mills suspended because of non-payment of growers' outstanding dues by mills management's.
Monday, March-15-2004

Pharmaceuticals sector : Losses recorded due to A.I scare
As suggested given below is the statement showing losses due Avian influenza scare spread by WHO/Media.Losses recorded to date: Rs. 842.10 mio.
Monday, March-15-2004

Cricket match takes away cotton market lustre
Cricket match between India and Pakistan after 14 years took away the shine from cotton market on Saturday where no trading was witnessed, relevant sources said as the words were drowned in the cheers of crowd on TV.
Sunday, March-14-2004

Pakistan to export fruits to Iran
Pakistan and Iran are to sign a protocol for allowing export of fruits and vegetables to Iran which were hitherto banned due to hygienic conditions.
Sunday, March-14-2004

PPA meeting on March 15
A meeting of the Central Executive Committee of Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) will be held on March 15 at Poultry Research Institute, Rawalpindi.
Sunday, March-14-2004

Loss suffered due to avian influenza
As required, please find given below the statement of losses (as on February 23, 2004) incurred due to Avian Influenza outbreak, and the uncalled for WHO scare giving rise to media hype.
Saturday, March-13-2004

Australia disputes wheat tests
Four recent Australian wheat shipments to Pakistan may have been contaminated with a fungus, but not Karnal bunt as alleged by Pakistani cargo inspectors, a senior wheat industry source said on Friday.
Saturday, March-13-2004

ZTBL disburses Rs 30bn, recovers Rs 37bn
Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) disbursed around Rs30 billion among the country’s farming community during the calendar year 2003, as against Rs29 billion disbursed in 2002, showing Rs one billion growth.
Saturday, March-13-2004

Government urged to sell wheat flour through mobile sale shops
While the Federal Food and Agriculture Minister and officials of the Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) as also the officials of the Sindh Government are claiming that the wheat crisis has been overcome.
Saturday, March-13-2004

Trading gets slow on cotton market
Trading on the cotton market on Friday remained slow as spinners kept to the sidelines followed by reports of falling yarn prices and a considerable decline in local demand.
Saturday, March-13-2004

Flour stalls being set up in Hyderabad
The office-bearers of Roller Flour Mills, small grinding units and food officials have developed a consensus on setting up a chain of flour stalls throughout the city to minimise the intensity of wheat flour crisis in Hyderabad city.
Saturday, March-13-2004

TCP asked to buy surplus sugar stock
The federal government Friday decided that the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) would purchase substantial quantity of surplus sugar either for export or for maintaining a buffer stock to cater for future domestic requirements.
Saturday, March-13-2004

Govt to purchase surplus sugar
The government has agreed to purchase about 500,000 tons of surplus sugar from the mills to replenish its buffer stock and ensure that sugar prices do not fall below Rs18 per kg in the local market.
Saturday, March-13-2004

Cotton market gives lacklustre performance
The cotton market gave a lack-lustre performance as both buyers and sellers maintained a low profile as usual on Friday.
Saturday, March-13-2004

Passco asked to procure wheat more than target
The federal government, while approving the wheat procurement policy 2004, has asked the Pakistan Agriculture Storage & Services Corporation (Passco) to procure wheat to the maximum instead of restricting itself to the target of 1.4 million tonnes of wheat.
Saturday, March-13-2004

Conditions firm on cotton market
Cotton market was firm on Friday as world rates turned volatile giving no definite size of the gain or loss, relevant sources said on Friday.
Saturday, March-13-2004

Body to review sugar crisis today
The inter-ministerial committee formed by the government last week to review the surplus sugar crisis in the country is scheduled to hold its first meeting in the federal capital on Friday.
Friday, March-12-2004

Wheat prices surge in Rawalpindi
Wheat prices in Rawalpindi have surged to new levels as the provincial and local governments are struggling to cope with the situation.
Friday, March-12-2004

Trading picks up on cotton market
Cotton market on Thursday resisted fresh decline as spinners resume their covering operations against forward sales of cotton yarn to their foreign
trading partners.
Friday, March-12-2004

Wheat to be imported from other sources than Australia
After rejecting Australian wheat declared unfit for human consumption, the federal government has decided to import wheat from other sources.
Friday, March-12-2004

Howard writes to Musharraf over wheat tangle
Prime Minister John Howard wrote to President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday in an effort to resolve a potentially costly dispute over Islamabad's
rejection of an Australian wheat shipment.
Friday, March-12-2004

Body set up to attract new investment: Fertilizer industry
The Federal Minister for Industries and Production Liaqat Jatoi on Thursday constituted a 12-member committee to devise a scheme for attracting new investment in fertilizer industry and resolve problems faced by the existing fertilizer factories.
Friday, March-12-2004

Australia peeved as Pakistan rejects plea
Australia was deeply disappointed with Pakistan's rejection of a plea to hold more tests on 150,000 tonnes of wheat that Pakistan said was contaminated, the Australian government said on Thursday.
Friday, March-12-2004

Sumitomo Corp team meets Rind
A delegation of Sumitomo Corporation led by Motto Yoshioka, called on Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind here on Thursday.
Friday, March-12-2004

Fertilisers demand and supply gap widens
A meeting of the fertiliser sector was informed here on Thursday that the demand and supply gap of fertilisers was widening, which may push Pakistan's agriculture-based economy into trouble in the months to come.
Friday, March-12-2004

Wheat flour by-product prices up by 5-17pc
The price hike in wheat flour has made an impact on its by-products like plain bread, rusk, tandoori nan, sheermal and taftaan, making them costlier by five to 17 per cent.
Friday, March-12-2004

Auctions of agri market committees termed 'ugly manoeuvring'
Leaders of grower's organisations termed the auctions of agri market committees across the province "Ugly manoeuvring" and demanded restoration of market committee status as defined in Agriculture Produce Market Committee Act 1939.
Friday, March-12-2004

ANALYSIS: panic condition prevails in cotton market
Cotton prices continued to sag further this week which has not only disturbed the ginners seriously, but also created difficulties for several spinners holding long positions.
Friday, March-12-2004

Trading on cotton market remains sluggish
Trading on cotton maintained sluggish outlook a spell that broke since Monday on hopes that prices are likely to plunge, said relevant sources on Thursday.
Friday, March-12-2004

Cabinet rejects Australian wheat
The Cabinet on Wednesday formally rejected Australian wheat as contaminated and declined to make any payment to the Australian firm.
Thursday, March-11-2004

Punjab says reduced water supply not to affect wheat
The Punjab claimed on Wednesday that the latest 22 per cent cut in water supply will not affect the wheat crop which had already been watered thrice.
Thursday, March-11-2004

New EU rules to hit Pakistan basmati exports
Global rice prices may stabilise around the current levels as any further rally could force consumers to look for alternatives, a leading Pakistani rice exporter told Dow Jones Newswires late Tuesday.
Thursday, March-11-2004

Forcible procurement of wheat criticized
District Nazim Pir Shafqat Hussain Shah has taken a notice of excesses against the wheat growers by officials of the Sindh food department.
Thursday, March-11-2004

Flour price up by Rs2 per kg
The NWFP government's reluctance to control the flour price in the absence of an official pricing mechanism and increasing reliance on Punjab has led to in the price to an all time high in the province.
Thursday, March-11-2004

'Big' money blamed for hoarding: Wheat, rice
Big money coming from neighbouring country via Dubai along with locally available cheap finance has given traders an opportunity to hoard essential grains like wheat and rice thereby creating artificial shortages resulting in unprecedented price spiral.
Thursday, March-11-2004

Prices fall sharply on cotton market
Cotton prices on Wednesday fell sharply partly in sympathy with limit-loss in New York cotton futures and partly to slack mill demand.
Thursday, March-11-2004

Ban on bird exports costs traders $0.8m
A government ban on the export of precious live birds, imposed after breakout of avian virus in chicken flocks, is costing the national exchequer a loss of $75,000 to $0.1 million per week or a cumulative figure of about $800,000, live birds exporters said here Wednesday.
Thursday, March-11-2004

New Sabzi Mandi inquiry
An inquiry into the alleged irregularities in allotment of plots at the New Sabzi Mandi, located at Super Highway, and misuse of funds through excessive hiring, has concluded that the misappropriations caused a loss of over Rs 23 million to the agricultural marketing wing of the Sindh government, sources said.
Thursday, March-11-2004

National poultry congress from April 9
Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) Punjab is to hold a 'National Poultry Congress' in the provincial capital on April 9-10.
Thursday, March-11-2004

Iran may allow Pakistani kinno import
Iran is likely to allow import of Pakistani kinno following a report on the quality and hygiene standards being maintained at the fruits processing plants and the quarantine department.
Thursday, March-11-2004

Rise in wheat production must for autarky
Increase in wheat production is a must to maintain food autarky in view of fast growing population.
Thursday, March-11-2004

Cotton spot rate slashed by Rs 50
Cotton trading continued to remain dull for the second day in a row which looked deserted as spinners waited to see the impact of sharp losses in world rates, relevant sources said on Wednesday.
Thursday, March-11-2004

Dullness prevails on cotton market
Quieter conditions prevailed on the cotton market on Tuesday as spinners were not inclined to make fresh commitments despite the fact that some of the ginners have lowered their asking prices.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

Dependency on imported cotton increases
Pakistan's dependency on imported cotton has increased from 1.5 million bales to 2 million bales, due to sharp decline in domestic production for 2003-04.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

Cheerless trading marked on cotton market
Trading remained cheerless on the cotton market on Tuesday as world rates continued to show softening trend, relevant sources said.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

Pakistan rules out third-party idea: Australian wheat
Pakistan has all but ruled out the 'independent analyses' in some other country as demanded by the Australian Wheat.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

Committee to discuss sugar issues on March 12
The inter-ministerial committee on sugar will meet here on March 12 to identify bottlenecks in smooth sailing of the sugar sector and work out long-term solution to the problems, it is learnt.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

WF Students disrupt forest conference
Students of the Government Postgraduate Jehanzeb College Swat disrupted a one-day forest conference organized by the NWFP forest department here on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

Wheat procurement target to be achieved: Arif
Sindh Food and Agriculture Minister Arif Mustafa Jatoi has said that wheat procurement target fixed by the provincial government would be achieved at all costs and officers found negligent in wheat procurement would be taken to task.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

Another 1,500 trees to be uprooted
At least 1,500 trees, mostly of fruit, will be uprooted during the construction of the Jinnah and Doctor's hospitals' underpasses along the Lahore Canal.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

High local prices dampen Pakistani rice exports
Pakistani rice exports were thin during the past week as existing orders were shipped but high domestic prices limited new demand, traders said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

Flour situation eases further
The availability of flour improved further on Tuesday, but the price remained high despite raids by the city district government.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

Flour millers hail lifting of ban on wheat movement
Pakistan Flour Mills Association (Sindh Circle) has hailed Sindh Government decision to remove the ban on inter-provincial movement of wheat as the steps, according to the Association, will help solve the wheat crisis.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

90 flour mills call off strike
The 90 flour mills in interior Sindh, which went on strike on Sunday last, have decided to call off their strike by Wednesday after receiving permission from the provincial government to procure wheat.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

Atta price shoots up to Rs18 per kg in Karachi
Wheat crisis persisted as consumers continued to suffer the effects of spiralling wheat flour prices as its price swung between Rs16 and Rs18 (atta no.2.5) since the past week.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

Bread prices rise up to 25%
Bread prices in the city have been increased in the range of 5.5 percent to 25 percent due to shortage of wheat and flour.
Wednesday, March-10-2004

Australia seeks meeting with Jamali
Australia is seeking talks with Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali after reports that Pakistan had rejected four cargoes of Australian wheat, saying they had "karnal bunt" fungus, a spokesman said on Monday.
Tuesday, March-09-2004

Growers propose model technology to boost sugar yield
The Sugarcane Growers Association of Mamoo Kanjan, in Faisalabad district, has found a new industrial model to bring together small farmers and 21st century sugar technology to increase yield and improve quality.
Tuesday, March-09-2004

Cotton market lacks lustre
Cotton market on Monday passed through a dull session as spinners stayed on the sidelines apparently awaiting the opening of New York future market and its likely impact on the local prices.
Tuesday, March-09-2004

Australia seeks third-party DNA testing: Wheat consignment
Australia has stepped up its efforts to save the $30 million wheat consignment from being rejected by Pakistan on grounds of being infected with fungus , and its ministers have sought an "urgent appointment" with Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali on the issue.
Tuesday, March-09-2004

High fodder rates push milk prices up 14%
The increase in the prices of cow, buffalo and other animal fodder have forced dairy farmers to increase the price of milk in the city by 14 percent, dairy farmers said here Wednesday.
Tuesday, March-09-2004

No threat of bird flu virus transmission to goats
There is no threat of transmission of the bird flu virus to goats, according to the poultry and livestock research experts here on Monday.
Tuesday, March-09-2004

Cotton market remains stumpy
The cotton market continued to be subdued on Saturday, due to poor buying interest.
Tuesday, March-09-2004

Per acre yield improves in Sialkot
Sialkot district Nazim Mian Naeem Javaid has said that because of proper use of advanced farm technology and ultra-modern farm machinery by farmers and growers, per acre yield has been enhanced to 55 maunds from 25 maunds in Sialkot district.
Monday, March-08-2004

JICA, govt to ink MoU on Thursday
The Punjab Government will sign MoU with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on 11th for securing aid worth Rs 790 million for rehabilitation of drainage system in Lahore.
Monday, March-08-2004

Export trophy function to be held in Rawalpindi
Export trophy function will be arranged to encourage industrialists, exporters and traders of the area to step up activities in order to strengthen the country's economy, said Hussain Ahmed Ozgen, President of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Saturday.
Monday, March-08-2004

Institutional credit's impact on farm output
The three main factors that contribute to agricultural growth are the increased use of agricultural inputs, technological change and technical efficiency.
Monday, March-08-2004

Pakistan rejects Australian wheat
Pakistan's grain authorities have rejected all four shipments of Australian wheat, totalling 150,000 tons, after re-examination proved that the grain was contaminated with 'Karnal bunt fungus', officials said on Sunday.
Monday, March-08-2004

Walk held in support of poultry industry
A large number SME poultry farmers and leaders of several trade associations participated in a walk held here on Sunday to show support to the poultry industry.
Monday, March-08-2004

EU dumping duty adversely affects cotton market
Anti-dumping duty by European Union (EU) effective from March 4, 2004, and yarn continuing to show no prospect of rise had combined adverse effect on 3-day trading in cotton during the week ended on March 5, 2004.
Monday, March-08-2004

ANALYSIS: sellers lose further ground to buyers on cotton market
The Pakistan Cotton Ginners' Association (PCGA) has decided not to release fortnightly cotton report up to March1, and now, understandably, it may be released by the middle of this month.
Monday, March-08-2004

Cotton market remains stumpy
The cotton market continued to be subdued on Saturday, due to poor buying interest.
Sunday, March-07-2004

Plea to lift ban on wheat movement
The Sindh Abadgar Board has demanded that the ban on movement of wheat from one taluka to the other should be lifted without delay.
Sunday, March-07-2004

Wheat shortage leads to closure of flour mills
Owners closed over 50 flour mills and hundreds of 'chakkis' in the Sukkur, Larkana and Nawabshah areas for an indefinite period on Saturday to protest against inadequate wheat supply by the Sindh food department.
Sunday, March-07-2004

Punjab flour crisis easing
The flour situation eased a bit here on Sunday with millers maintaining a smooth supply to their 200 fair-price shops and the food department closely watching both the millers and the shops.
Sunday, March-07-2004

Rebate allowed on noodles and milk products
The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has given duty drawback on the export of noodles and different types of milk products from March 4, 2004.
Sunday, March-07-2004

Increase in milk prices
A sudden increase in the milk prices is another shock for the people as they are already under pressure owing to rise in the cost of essential
items.
Sunday, March-07-2004

UVAS and PU to collaborate in animal sciences
The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) and Punjab University have agreed to collaborate in the field of animal sciences.
Sunday, March-07-2004

New cotton policy this month
Minister of State for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Sikandar Hayat Bosan has said the new cotton policy will be announced by the federal government by the end of this month.
Sunday, March-07-2004

No deal reported on cotton market
Spinners saw cut in spot rate with a sense of relief and sidelined hoping further slashing was likely, relevant sources said on Saturday.
Sunday, March-07-2004

Six new wheat varieties approved
The variety-evaluation committee has approved six new wheat varieties for cultivation during current sowing season of wheat crop.
Sunday, March-07-2004

No government centre set up yet for wheat procurement
Harvesting of new wheat crop has started in lower parts of Sindh but no procurement centre has been set up by government.
Sunday, March-07-2004

Wheat position to improve in three days: Rind
Minister for Food, Agriculture and Live Stocks Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind has said wheat and flour position will be totally in control within two-three days, all over the country.
Sunday, March-07-2004

Flour mills strike: a clarification
The Sindh Food Department, clarifying a news item appeared in a section of press regarding closure of flour mills, has said that the Food Department issues wheat to the mills to keep stability in atta price.
Sunday, March-07-2004

Rice exporters team to visit India from March 9
A 26-member rice exporters' delegation from Pakistan, led by Abdul Rahim Janoo, will leave for India on March 9.
Sunday, March-07-2004

Jatoi chairs meeting of stakeholders: Body formed to resolve sugar industry crisis
Liaquat Ali Jatoi, the federal minister for industries and production, Friday constituted a 12-member committee to suggest long term policy measures to resolve problems of the sugar industry and the growers on permanent basis.
Saturday, March-06-2004

Agri disbursement target likely to be achieved: SBP
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has said that the five major commercial banks of the country have so far achieved around 77 percent of their annual targets for agriculture disbursement, which is around 52 percent higher than the disbursement during the same period last year.
Saturday, March-06-2004

No shortage of flour
Food Deputy Director Rana Saeed Ahmed has claimed that there is no flour shortage in Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh districts.
Saturday, March-06-2004

Flour price goes up as shortage persists
The flour crisis persists in the district as 'chakkis' and flour mills have not been provided with their wheat quota, leading to a rise in the flour price.
Saturday, March-06-2004

Farmers call for exporting potatoes
Pakistan has over 300,000 tons of exportable potatoes which must be exported to save local farmers from financial crunch, demanded various farmer bodies here on Monday.
Saturday, March-06-2004

Fresh milk, flour, ghee prices rise
The month of February saw no let-up in price-hike as prices of wheat flour, fresh milk, ghee and cooking oil, some pulses and vegetables and some rice varieties registered upward movement.
Saturday, March-06-2004

Trading gains pace on cotton market
Trading in cotton appeared to be gaining pace on Friday as the ruling prices turned favourable to buyers, relevant sources said. The local lint prices are constantly under pressure because world rates are showing softness, they added.
Saturday, March-06-2004

Australian wheat samples collected for tests
The samples of the fourth vessel, m.v. Sea Swan, carrying 39,587 tonnes of Australian wheat, were handed over on Friday morning to the committee set up under the chairmanship of Dr Atta-ur-Rahman.
Saturday, March-06-2004

Interior Sindh flour mills observe strike
All the flour mills in interior Sindh on Friday observed strike against non-supply of wheat by the government.
Saturday, March-06-2004

Powers sought to penalise polluters
Adviser to Chief Minister on Environment and Alternative Energy Faisal Malik has said his ministry has moved a summary to the chief secretary for getting judicial powers to penalise violators of anti-pollution laws.
Saturday, March-06-2004

Malaysian palm oil down
Malaysian crude palm oil (CPO) futures closed lower on Friday after an overnight drop in rival Chicago soy oil forced liquidation on contracts that saw fresh five-year highs a day earlier.
Saturday, March-06-2004

China vows to help farmers, cool economy
Prime Minister Wen Jiabao pledged to help the country’s millions of impoverished farmers and cool blistering economic growth amid fears of social unrest as China’s annual parliament session opened Friday.
Saturday, March-06-2004

Cotton lacks trading interest
The cotton market lacked trading interest on resumption of trading on Wednesday.
Friday, March-05-2004

PPA seeks government's intervention
Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) has asked the government to take immediate notice of media campaign launched by international fast food chain, which by announcing the import of disease free chicken from abroad.
Friday, March-05-2004

4th Australian ship arrives: Wheat samples collected
The fourth Australian ship carrying imported wheat has reached Port Qasim and is now in the outer anchorage. The PASSCO officials have collected wheat samples from the fourth ship in presence of the visiting Australian experts on Friday.
Friday, March-05-2004

Prices decline on cotton market
Cotton prices on Thursday fell from the recent higher levels apparently in sympathy with international markets and slack demand from the local buyers.
Friday, March-05-2004

Cotton standards meeting fails to make headway
Ginners expressed their willingness to cooperate in introducing cotton standards in the country during a meeting of the executive committee of Pakistan Cotton Standard Institute held on Thursday.
Friday, March-05-2004

Sugar mill-owners summoned to Islamabad
The sugar mill-owners, who are responsible for non-payment of the growers' dues, have been summoned to Islamabad by Minister for Industries and Production Liaquat Ali Jatoi to discuss the issue, which has now created a serious situation, particularly in Sindh.
Friday, March-05-2004

Palm oil prices stable
Palm oil prices were firm during the past week on good domestic demand and dealers said on Wednesday the market was expected to remain stable in weeks ahead as importers were making spot deals.
Friday, March-05-2004

Bottlenecks in rice export to be removed, says Jamali
Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said on Wednesday that the government will remove bottlenecks in the export of valuable cash crop of rice, besides, providing all facilities such as development of new varieties of rice and improvements in Basmati rice seed.
Thursday, March-04-2004

Cotton lacks trading interest
The cotton market lacked trading interest on resumption of trading on Wednesday.
Thursday, March-04-2004

Decision on Australian wheat today
The fate of wheat imported from Australia will be decided today (Thursday) as the team appointed by the federal cabinet for examination has completed the sampling and is now all set for laboratory testing.
Thursday, March-04-2004

Report on rejected Australian wheat expected by Friday, Canberra welcomes retest
A cabinet committee headed by Professor Dr Attaur Rehman, minister for science and technology, has assured all the parties that fair and just decision would be taken on the issue of Australian wheat imported by the government.
Thursday, March-04-2004

Govt to help promote rice export
Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said on Wednesday, the government would remove bottlenecks in the export of valuable cash crop of rice, besides, providing all facilities such as development of new varieties of rice and improvements in basmati rice seed.
Wednesday, March-03-2004

Commercial banks raise farm lending
Flooded with excess liquidity, big commercial banks are now making larger loans to the agricultural sector than in the past. Agricultural loans disbursed by five major commercial banks in the first half of this fiscal year totalled Rs15.1 billion.
Wednesday, March-03-2004

KBP for probe into flour shortage
Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP) has asked the government to order probe to unearth elements responsible for on going wheat flour shortage.
Tuesday, March-02-2004

Re-examination of Australian wheat samples continues
The Passco-Australian joint team continued re-examination of wheat samples from two vessels, waiting at the outer anchorage of Port Qasim.
Tuesday, March-02-2004

Molasses export drops by 50 percent
The volume of the export of molasses has declined by 50 percent due to its increased consumption in the local market, and fall in the prices in the international markets.
Tuesday, March-02-2004

Cotton yarn export: textile bodies get ready for showdown at EPB meeting
The spinners and representatives of value-added textile associations are flexing their muscles for a possible show down at a meeting here on March 9 on the question of putting restrictions on the export of cotton yarn.
Tuesday, March-02-2004

Supreme Court accepts hearing of Sindh sugar mills plea
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments for and against part of Sindh Sugar Factories Control Act of 1950 authorising the provincial authorities to impose "quality premium at the end of the crushing season" that will be in proportion to the sucrose recovery of each factory.
Tuesday, March-02-2004

Govt to develop agro-EPZs in Sindh
“The main processing centre is being set up in Karachi to maximize the exports of agriculture products, which would help earn huge foreign exchange,” an official source told PPI.
Tuesday, March-02-2004

Illegal trade of tractors: 1,500 units smuggled to Afghanistan last fiscal
An estimated 1,500 locally manufactured tractors worth over Rs 500 million are being smuggled to Afghanistan every year through a network of agents, many of who buy off tractors acquired by farmers through special bank loan schemes, industry sources say.
Tuesday, March-02-2004

Prices move both ways on cotton market
Slight swing in cotton trading was seen towards the end of the week ended on February 28, 2004, on worries that abrupt rise in cotton futures in New York would push local lint prices also.
Monday, March-01-2004

Milk retail price raised to Rs 25 per litre
The retail price of dairy milk have been increased to Rs 25 per litre with effect from March 1, 2004, a spokesman of Dairy Farmers Association of Karachi announced here on Sunday.
Monday, March-01-2004

Minister denies wheat import accord with any country
Food and Agriculture Minister Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind has denied execution of any agreement for import of wheat with any country.
Monday, March-01-2004

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