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5	LAND UTILIZATION STATISTICS Million Hectares Geographical Area 34.719 Reported Area 17.144 Cultivated Area 1.956 Culturable waste 3.992 Forest 1.362 Not available for cultivation 9.834
6	Area & Production of Major Crops (2006 – 2007) Crops Area (Hec:) Prod: (Tons) Apple 102,802 219,535 Wheat 408,913 872,066 Rice 193,927 478,212 Dates 48,152 172,131 Onion 38,185 701,620 Gram 36,713 30,443 Cotton 41,585 106,637 (Bales)
7	M A N D A T E The mandate of the department is to evolve appropriate agricultural technologies for each of the agro-ecological zones of the province by need based research and to disseminate such evolved and proven technologies through advanced extension tools to the farming community by exploiting vast culturable waste and harnessing massive flood water through land development and mechanized farming to ensure food security and sustainability.
8	OBJECTIVES Reclamation of culturable waste land for cultivation purposes. Harnessing and utilizing flood water as much as possible. Increase in crop production/yield through balance use of inputs i.e. certified seed/planting material, fertilizers & pesticides and promotion of farm mechanization. Production of quality seed and fruit plants. Horizontal expansion of agriculture through the command area development programs. Introducing new crops with more commercial value. Adoption of water conservation measures. Human Resource Development. (HRD) Institutional / Organizational development. Improvement of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure.
9	PRESENT STATUS Agriculture production increased due to expansion of electrification & improvement of infrastructure. Persistent drought spell accounted for reduction both horizontal and vertical which lead to adopt new strategy for agriculture growth like:- Introducing micro irrigation systems lining of watercourses & construction of water storage tanks, promotion of low delta crops, recharging of water table by constructing check dams/ bundats. Provision of inputs on subsidized rates.
10	PRESENT STATUS Adoption of suitable plant protection practices. Promotion of farm mechanization. To ensure food security and sustainability many projects are in progress like:- National Program for Improvement of Water Courses and Water Storage Tanks in Balochistan. Water Conservation and Productivity Enhancement through High Efficiency Irrigation Systems. Aabyari-I in Five Districts. Crop Maximization Project-II (Productivity Enhancement on Sustainable Basis). Establishment of Dry Land Research centre at Kharan. Promotion of Palm Oil in Coastal areas of Balochistan. Establishment of Soil and Water Testing Laboratories. Construction of Market Squares. Promotion of Cotton Cultivation in Balochistan.
11	PRESENT STATUS Dissemination of Improved Agriculture technologies to the farming community. Improvement of Departmental Agricultural Farms. Command Area Development Programs. Promotion of Olive Production. Promotion of Agri-Business Activities in Balochistan. Introduction, Evaluation & Quality seed production of Sorghum, Maize & Millet for grain purpose in Balochistan. Establishment of Research Station for Stone fruits, Nuts & Pomegranate. Skill Enhancement of Staff of Agriculture Department. Land Reclamation through a fleet of Old 315 Bulldozers which reclaim 15000-18000 hectares culturable waste land annually and construct micro bundats.
12	ISSUES, CONSTRAINTS AND CHALLENGES. Lack of Resources. Lack of Trained Manpower. (HRD) Ineffective Input supply system. De-centralization of decision making. Expansion of Research infrastructure. Need for Extended Linkages between Research & Extension. Irrigation Water Scarcity.
13	ISSUES, CONSTRAINTS AND CHALLENGES. Lack of Plant Quarantine Services & Marketing of Adulterated Pesticides. Non existence of Cottage Industries. Non Availability of Proper Market Squares/ Marketing Infrastructure in the potential areas. Lack of Credit facility
14	POTENTIALS Availability of 3.995 Million Hectares Culturable Waste Lands (Largest Geographic Area > 43% of Pakistan). Multiple Agro-climatic Zones (5 Major Agro-Ecological Zones). Promotion of High Value Less Water requiring Crops like Cotton, Pistachio, Olive & Grapes. Development of new crop varieties. Development of New Canal Commands and Small Dams like Kachi Canal, Pat Feeder Canal, Mirani and Sabakzai Dam etc. Desert and Semi Desert Areas for example Chagai, Kharan, Washuk.
15	POTENTIALS Availability of about 13 MAF Flash Flood Water. Crop Diversification (73 crops grown). Tube Well Irrigated Areas. Karez Irrigated Areas. Open Surface/ Dug Well Irrigated Areas. Spate Irrigation.
16	FUTURE PRIORITIES LAND DEVELOPMENT. Potential Culturable waste 3.995 million hectares. Program Land reclamation through bulldozers. Flood water harvesting for irrigating purpose in Sailaba areas. INPUT USE. Potential Low usage of chemical fertilizer. Plant protection coverage. Program Area/crop specific fertilizer application packages. Soil and water analysis/testing facilities. Pesticides quality control facility.
17	FUTURE PRIORITIES CROP PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT. Potential Multiple Agro-Climatic Zones (Climate diversification). Vertical and horizontal development to augment crop yield and area (fruits, vegetables and crops). Development of new canal/dams command areas. Program Short Term Grow more crop campaigns. Introduction of input packages. Long Term Devising of cropping pattern/calendar/cycle according to the existing climatic zones. Development of new crop varieties & promotion of high value less water requiring crops. Kacchi & Pat Feeder canals and Mirani & Sabakzai Dams command area development.
18	FUTURE PRIORITIES Establishment of Seed Industry in Balochistan. Increasing supply of chemical fertilizer & pesticides and its balance use through IPM and IPNM Programs. ON-FARM WATER MANAGEMENT/MICRO-IRRIGATION SYSTEMS. Potential 3.995 million culturable waste land. About 13 MAF flash flood water. Program ON Farm Water Management Lining of water courses. Construction of water storage tanks. Precision land leveling. Micro bundats. Irrigation agronomy. Promotion of High Efficiency Irrigation Systems like Drip & Bubblers. Drainage system for water-logged and salinity areas.
19	FUTURE PRIORITIES Deep well installation in areas where ample water is available. Water recharge program for the area where tube well water is depleting. Flood water harvesting. Water Management Research. Technology package for consumptive water use/requirement for different crops/areas. SEED DEVELOPMENT. Strengthening of the present seed production facilities to cover all crops. Joint ventures with private sector to meet crop seed demand of the farming community. Programs for utilization of departmental farms for seed production/multiplication.
20	FUTURE PRIORITIES MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. Strengthening of Balochistan Agriculture College. Training for lower field staff (Agriculture Training Institutes). In-service training of field officers. Farmer skill development training program (both male and female). INSTITUTION/ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT. Reorganization and Strengthening of Agriculture Extension services. Strengthening of Agriculture Research in Balochistan. Establishment of Horticultural Development Institute.
21	"CROP DEVELOPMENT" CROP DEVELOPMENT. Coastal area crop development program. Development of desert and semi desert areas (Chagai, Kharan, Washuk etc.). Date Palm development program (Date cropping husbandry). MARKETING. Establishment of new market structures at the potential districts. Post harvest technology development program. Farm to market roads. CREDIT. Credit facilities by the Lending Institutions / Commercial Banks at lowest tier. Strengthening of the Provincial Cooperatives Institutions.
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