There is a magazine from Pakistan called Farming Outlook. Editor is my former counterpart M Tahir Saleem. There are reports from a Pakistani horizon but also articles on agricultural development in general. The magazine is important for all interested in the development of world agriculture. Mail tahir.pak@comsats.net.pk
The issue of June 2008 has the theme Food Security – why, what and how. I cannot here give even a summary, only some reflections.
The cereal production of Pakistan is about 30 million tons, of which 21 is wheat, 5 rice and 3 maize. This is enough to feed the 150 million people in the country (there was about 75 when I was there around 1980). But the increase in production should continue and presently that is not the case, which causes concern. Main problem is difficulties in the availability of fertilizers and their high price. But there is potential for increase. Further – the post harvest losses are estimated to 25% and there is something to work on.
One chapter is about best management practices for plant nutrition. Main topic: field specific measures. This was an important theme also 1980.
One chapter deals with Indian Punjab (also Pakistan has a part of Punjab). Mainly irrigated agriculture. Average cereal yields in Punjab is about 4 tons per hectare. Fertilizer use 146 N, 18 P and 4 K. The nitrogen balance shows surplus. The potassium balance can be a problem.
In a small report about cotton (Pakistan has 3 million hectares of cotton) is noted that cotton removes about 118 kg N, 15 kg P and 150 kg K per hectare.
Not mentioned is that there is a discussion about the environmental effects of cotton production in Pakistan, both concerning nutrients and biocides. Certainly improved practices here are needed. There are also projects with organic cotton. But more of that later.