PC-1
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE PUNJAB
“Best Agricultural Practices and Integrated Crop Management Through Training of Facilitator (TOF) and FarmerFieldSchool (FFS)Approachesfor Sustainable Fruits and Vegetables Production inthePunjab”
Prepared and Submitted by
Centre for Applied Biosciences International
Regional Bioscience Centre Pakistan
Opposite 1-A, SatelliteTown, Data Gunj Bakhsh Road
Off Murree Road, Rawalpindi
Tele: o92-o51-9290332: Fax: 092-051-9292131
E.mail:
Code Number for Project
(To be filled in by P&D)
Part “A”
Project Digest
1. Name of Project:
Best Agricultural Practices and Integrated Pest Management (ICM) through Training of Facilitator (ToF) and Farmer Field School (FFS) approaches for sustainable fruits and vegetables production in the Punjab.
2. Authorities Responsible:
1) Sponsoring: Govt. of the Punjab, Planning and Development Department through
Department of Agriculture (Agri. Extension & AR) .
2) Execution:
- Centre for Applied Bioscience International Regional Bioscience Centre Pakistan
- Directorate General of Agriculture, Govt. of Punjab (Department of Agri. Exten.
& AR).
3) Operation and Maintenance:
- CAB International Regional Bioscience Centre Pakistan
- Directorate General of Agriculture, Govt. of Punjab (Depart. of Agri.
Extension and AR).
3. Time required for completion 48 months
of project (in months)
4. Plan Provision:
1) If the project is included in the current five-year plan, specify the actual allocation.
Best Agriculture Practices & Integrated Crop Management through Training of Facilitators (ToF) and Farmer Field School ( FFS) for sustainable production of fruits and vegetables is one of the focused areas of the Govt. of Punjab. Therefore, resources for this purpose have already been made available in the project under the umbrella PC-1
“Fruit and Vegetable Development Project For Punjab Province”, to meet the proposed
expenditures.
ii) If project not included in the current plan, how it is now proposed to be accommodated inter/intra-sectoral adjustments in allocation or other resources may be indicated.
The project is an integral part of the Provincial Agriculture Policy. Financing is to be met out from umbrella PC-1 for which Govt. of Punjab has already allocated funds.
iii) a) If the project is proposed to be financed out of block provision for a program, indicate:
Not applicable
b) If the project is not in the plan, what warrants its inclusion in the plan:
Despite growing demand of agricultural produce, crop yields in the Punjab have continued to be stagnant for several years in spite of indiscriminate utilization of agro-chemicals. Besides, the gaps between potential and farmer-realized yields of existing varieties and seeds range between 40-60% in vegetables, 33-87% in fruit trees, and 37-65% in grain crops. Consumption of pesticides in Pakistan has increased many folds i.e. from 665 tons in 1980 to 45680 tons in 1999 and this trend continues till to date ( Soomro, H. M. Khan, M. A. & Ahmad, 1. 2001, Introduction and historical overview of agriculture In Policy and strategy for rational use of pesticides in Pakistan. No. UN-Pak/FAO/2001/002).,More than 17% of the pesticides used in the country is applied on fruits and vegetables. The amount of pesticides used per unit of land is most likely several times higher than on cotton even. This may explain the surprisingly high percentage of vegetables that have been reported to have residues above MRL set up by FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission. Various authors at organizations like National Institute of Health during 1981-84 and Pakistan Agriculture Research Council during 1992-1995 examined about 1059 samples of fruits and vegetables and of these 422 were found contaminated with pesticides residues and 71 samples had the residues levels exceeding maximum permissible limits. More recently, studies conducted under Pesticide Policy Project which revealed that 100% samples of Brinjal, Okra, Bitter gourd and Gourd were contaminated with pesticides residues. Out of these, there were 50% samples in case of Brinjal and Okra, 65% in case of Bitter gourd and Gourd where pesticide residues were above the Maximum Residue Level (MRL).
With in agriculture the horticulture is an important sub-sector of Pakistan’s agriculture economy. Export of fresh fruits and vegetables from Pakistan in International markets have tremendous potential provided that the international standards of production and marketing are observed. Last year, out of one million tons production of mango, about 60,000 tons were exported (PHDEB news 2004).
Under WTO regulations, the fruits and vegetables importing countries can ask for the certification that the produce is fit for human consumption and will neither pose any health risk to consumers nor transmit any insect or disease pest to the importing countries. It will be necessary that the declaration be made on scientific evidence. Exporters will have to provide the documentary proof of production procedures and certificate of permissible levels of pesticides declared by international agencies. There, Pakistan has to maintain its competitiveness on international export markets and to adapt the increasingly stringent demands from foreign countries in terms of food safety, environmentally responsible production processes, and a functioning quality control system.
Therefore, considering the above mentioned facts, the Department of Planning and Development Govt. of Punjab, through Directorate of Agriculture Govt. of the Punjab warrant for the purpose.
5. Relationship of the project with the objectives of the sector.
The objectives of this project are in complete harmony with the strategy of Govt. of the Punjab. The Government and the Department of Agriculture has accorded high priority to fruit and vegetable production because raising agriculture production with minimal utilization of agro-chemicals for domestic consumption and for export is prime priority of the Provincial Government to meet the challenges of World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Integrated Crop Management (ICM) using non-formal participatory training methodology has been identified as a preferred approach to develop capacity of the farmers and the line departments for better crop management and reduce input use especially hazardous pesticides. During the course of project implementation and due to broad scope of the participatory ICM approach the use of term Best Agriculture Practices (BAP) has been identified to describe activities under the banner of ICM.
Despite growing demand of agriculture produce and increased input applications, crop yields in the Punjab have continued to be stagnant for several years. Besides, the gape between potential and farmer realized yields of existing varieties is ever increasing due to the lack of crop management skills at the farm level. The agriculture practices and effective management of available resources are vital for profitable and sustainable farming. The success of best agricultural practices lies in implementation of integrated pest management in its true spirit which can help in the reduction of pesticide usage while conserving bio diversity and natural ecosystem. The use of quality seed/crop varieties, best planting time, suitable crop rotation, natural mortality factors, natural resource management and biological control collectively form the basis for pest control decision-making in integrated pest management systems. Confidence building and experiential learning by farmers can only be achieved through season long capacity building training programs of extension personnel and farmers using Farmer Field School (FFS) methodology.
One of the main reasons for the success of this approach is that the decisions are based on the analysis of agro-eco system. Suitability of FFS in rice, vegetables and cotton has successfully been demonstrated in various countries in Asia and Pacific region. Farmers-led IPM program has been successfully implemented in Pakistan for the last few years in NWFP, Punjab and Sindh on cotton, rice, guava, tomatoes, onions, and peach. The program has improved the skills of extension staff and knowledge and income of the participating farmers. Once empowered with knowledge and skills, the farmers can apply the approach to other crops and share their experience with other farmers.
Use of Best Agriculture Practices (BAP) through integrated management system has been identified as a key element of sustainable agricultural development in the policy and strategy for agricultural development by Govt. of Pakistan as a part of its response to increasing misuse/overuse of pesticides and their negative impact on the Society.
The project aims at reducing the poverty of the rural population (particularly small landholders, tenants, the land less farmers and women), enhance their income, and improve the standard of their living.
Insects’ contaminations especially of fruit fly are barriers in trade of fresh fruits and vegetables. Export of mango to Japan and USA is banned due to fruit fly infestation. The fruit importing countries require certification that the produce is from areas free from fruit flies species of their concern and that the procedures adopted for their control are based on Best Agricultural Practices (BAP). Some of the documented benefits gained on compliance and losses on non-compliance of IPPC standards and SPS regulations by member countries of WTO are described below for setting the future trends in farming and trade of agriculture produce.
-On SPS compliance, Chile had its agriculture increased from US$ 29 million in 1983 to US$ 3.1 billion during 2001.
-Nearly 50% of less developed nations have been prevented from exporting fruits and vegetables to the EU during 1997-2000.
-Export of potatoes, Egypt’s most important agriculture export crop, was reduced from US4 102 million in 1995 to US$ 7 million in 2000, primarily due to lack of national capacity to identify pest free areas and provide SPS documentations.
-Return of Pak. Onion from Oman and difficulty of exporting citrus to Iran are important to be mentioned.
6. Cost of the project.
A. Management costs of Best Agricultural Practices through ToF and FFS activities in the Punjab.
No. / Head / Amount (Rs. in million)1. / Establishment costs (Staff costs of CABI RBC Pak.) / 14.785
2. / Operational costs (CABI RBC Pak.) / 9.880
Total costs / 24.665
B. Area wide management of fruit fly in the Punjab
No. / Head / Amount (Rs. in million)1. / Chemicals / 2.40
2. / Establishment costs / 2.95
3. / Bio-control laboratory / 1.20
4. / Traveling and transportation / 2.40
Total Costs / 8.95
C. Capital cost for the implementation of Best Agricultural Practices through ToF
and FFS activities in the Punjab.
No. / Head / Amount (Rs. in million)1. / Computers, generator, wooden racks, cages etc. / 0.658
D. Institutional Charges for the implementation of Best Agricultural Practices through ToF and FFS activities in the Punjab.
No. / Head / Amount (Rs. in million)1. / Institutional charges / 3.4263
E. Summary of the overall budget for the implementation of Best Agricultural Practices through ToF and FFS activities in the Punjab.
No. / Head / Amount (Rs. In million)1. / Management and Implementation of Best Agricultural Practices through ToF/FFS / 24.665
2. / Area wide management of fruit fly / 8.95
4. / Capital costs / 0.658
5. / Institutional charges / 3.4263
Grand Total / 37.699
7. Objectives of the project. Please indicate if scope and aim of the project is in line with plan objectives.
The overall objective is to increase the income of small farmers through sustainable fruits and vegetables production to enhance their income and improve the standard of living by producing fruit and vegetable of international standard set out by WTO. Support village level development and capacity building, assisting and training for creation of sustainable livelihood and improving the national and provincial economy through introduction and implementation of best agricultural practices in the project area. To contribute in institutional reform to develop empowerment at local level.
The specific objectives are;
a) Curricula development
b) Training of Master Trainer/Expert Field Facilitators/Field Facilitators.
c) Establishment of quality FFS activities through extension department and
development of FFS network.
e)Train senior extension project staff in quality monitoring assurance and
evaluation of the activities for the sustainability of the program.
f)Awareness regarding BAP and trade implications.
g)Facilitate network formation between the FFS and service providers.
h) Introduction and implementation of innovative participatory technologies that are
environmentally friendly and match with international standards of best
agricultural practices.
i) Awareness of farmers about international sanitary and phyto-sanitary standards of
production procedures of exportable fruits and vegetables.
j)Reduce health hazards to pesticides users and consumers through rationalizing use of pesticides through developing awareness and training.
k)To develop activities and processes for evolution of FFSs into self sustaining farmers associations.
In order to achieve the above targets, the following specific targets are being proposed;
- Training of 120 Agriculture Officers, Field Assistants and other professionals and technical staff of Department of Agriculture, 120 master farmers and more than 25,000 farmers in adoption of best agriculture, practices and ICM philosophy through ten Training of Facilitators (TOF) for agriculture graduate, for field assistants and farmers and by conducting more than 1050 Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in collaboration with Agri. Extension Department, Govt. of the Punjab.
- Development of more than 750 villages based and community managed organizations by adopting FFS approach.
- Preparation of recommendation package for policy options to reduce indiscriminate use of pesticides.
- Development of course content for TOF/FFS of target crops and activities.
- Farmer field problems arising or identified during TOF/FFS, will be investigated with assistance of facilitators and through Participatory Technology Development (PTD) approaches/on-farm research activities.
- Establish and train Agri. Extension staff on monitoring and quality assurance system for TOF and FFS activities.
Anticipated impacts of the project:
-Empowerment of the farming communities to make right site specific decisions regarding crop management to meet challenges of world trade scenario.
-Socio-economic up lift of the resource poor farming communities through better quality produce.
- Better understanding between farming communities and the extension staff.
- Availability of fruit and vegetables in the local markets with reduce agro-chemical residues and at low prices.
-More possibilities of increasing fruit and vegetable export.
- Sustainability of the environment and reduction in health hazards to pesticides users and consumers through rationalizing use of pesticides through developing awareness and training.
Prepared by: Arif H. Makhdum
Farmer Participatory Technology Development and Dissemination
Specialist
CABI RBC Pak. Rawalpindi
Opposite 1-A, SatelliteTown, Data Gunj Bakhsh Road,
Off Murree Road, Rawalpindi.
Tele: 051-9290332, 9290132 Fax: 051-9290131
E.mail: arif@ cabi.org.pk
Approved by: Dr. M. Ashraf Poswal
Centre Director
CABI Regional Bioscience CentrePakistan
Opposite 1-A, SatelliteTown, Data Gunj Bakhsh Road,
Off Murree Road, Rawalpindi.
Tele: 051-9290332, 9290132 Fax: 051-9290131
E.mail: ashraf@ cabi.org.pk
Part “B”
Project Description and Financing
8.Location of the project:
a)Give name of place and administrative districts in which the project activity will be located;
The project will cover six districts; Multan and Rahim Yar Khan on mango in particular and other fruits in general, Sarghodha and Toba Tec Singh for Citrus in particular and other fruits in general and peri-urban areas of Lahore and Faisalabad including districts Lahore, Gujranwala, Kasure, Faisalabad and Shekopura for activities on vegetables.
b) Indicate total area, which will be served/covered
The project activities would be carried out in more than eight districts with main focus on the vegetable and fruits growers of the target districts with special emphasis on small growers.
- Description and justification of the project:
Give brief history of extension work and indicate why additional efforts of the size proposed is justified. Give detail of the components of the project and administrative arrangements for implementation and operation of project. Indicate relationship of project with schemes in the same sector and in other sectors.
9.1 Background:
The economy of the Punjab is based on agricultural related activities, which involves growing of crops, fruits, vegetables and livestock. More than 75% of the farm area is owned by resource deficient (<5 ha) farmers. If measured by human development indicators, such as educational attainment and health status, the rural areas and women fare especially badly, in spite of accelerated efforts to remove regional disparities.Punjab has a variety of agro-climatic characteristics and topography and these have a major effects on agriculture and on farming system. However, production of different crops particularly the fruits and vegetables is low due to several factors and constraints.
Prior to the introduction of green revolution in early sixties, farmers used to natural cropping system including control of pests through farming practices. For example, simple farming practice like seed selection, crop rotation, time of planting, trap crop, resistant varieties were used to control pests. Later on, pesticides became a regular part of agriculture and at present chemicals control methods particularly in vegetables and fruits are widely being practiced, which are now a growing concern due to coming WTO implications.
Pesticides worth of Rs. 12 billion are imported in the country every year. Fruits and vegetables consumes 18-22% of the total import. Other environmental degrading chemicals such as fertilizers are also extensively being used. Since the farmers in the Punjab in general and in the fruits and vegetables growing areas in particular are more inclined toward excessive use of these agro-chemicals due to very high value of the produce and more over, majority of these farmers lack skills for assessing the need, and determine the form and quantities to be used, the misuse of the chemicals is therefore, very high. There is considerable evidence of soil fertility depletion in various regions of the province due to improper usage of agricultural chemicals. Emergence of resistance in key fruit and vegetable pests has become evident, necessitating the need to manage pests carefully using environmentally friendly techniques.
9.2 Project justification
9.2.1 Rational
Area under fruit and vegetable cultivation has gradually increased and has almost doubled over the period of time. However, yield per unit area and net income are still very low as against the potential. Several factors have contributed to sustained low crop productivity due to use of out dated and in-efficient tools and methods relating to crop management. Indiscriminate use of pesticides, poor varieties and seed, inappropriate nutrients, inefficient water management, and poor marketing system has reduced the profitability of fruits and vegetables and made this profession unprofitable, the major factor however, has been damaged by pests. This is further aggravated by lack of skills at farm level to determine the cause of damage, and appropriate management option.