The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) and the U.S. Department for Agriculture (USDA) convened a one-day commodity-based workshop on “Balanced Use of Fertilizers and Food Security Focussing on Rice Crop” on 15 June in Lahore. The objective was to highlight the significance of balanced fertilization in sustainable agriculture and environment. The participants of the workshop also assessed the use of fertilizer management practices at farm-gate level.

The workshop brought together approximately 80 participants from PARC, Farmer Associates of Pakistan, Basmati Growers Associations, Sindh Abadgar Board, National Fertilizer Development Center (NFDC), academia, fertilizer industry, provincial research, agricultural information, extension institutes across Punjab and Sindh, and FAO to share experiences, case studies and initiatives.

The inaugural session was chaired by Dr. Nisar Ahmad, Former Chief NFDC, Planning Commission of Pakistan. In his address to the participants he emphasized on the significance of 4Rs - Right fertilizer at the Right rate at the Right time in the Right place for sustainable quality production of rice in the country.

In his opening remarks Mr. Nasar Hayat, Assistant Representative (Programmne) highlighted the pivotal role of agriculture to national economy. He also briefed the participants on the role of FAO programmes in improving livelihoods of farmers and national food security. He said that FAO is currently working on a baseline atlas of existing soil fertility and fertilizer use practices, disaggregated by farm size and cropping systems. The atlas will help to understand required soil fertility management changes for sustainable agriculture intensification and consequently, appropriate balanced inputs and 4Rs would be promoted.

Mr. Riaz Ahmad Dayo, Director Agriculture Extension, Sindh said that soil fertility is a major issue in Pakistan. The promotion of sustainable soil management is pivotal to ensure sustainable agricultural development. He also said that the public and private sectors including farmer associations should join hands in resolving the rice export issues.

At this occasion, Dr. Waqar Ahmad, FAO Soil Expert highlighted the significance of the fertilizer use assessment at the farm gate level, and the important role of public private sectors to enhance quality produce as well as integration of 4Rs.

The invited speakers from the public and private sectors talked about fertilizer use practices, impact on crop productivity and environment. It was noted that gap exists between the recommendations given by different institutions as well as those practiced by the farms. The representatives of farmers associations across Punjab and Sindh shared their concerns over the input as well as commodity prices to ensure viable economic returns. This will largely be dictated by the appropriate government policies. The participants agreed that the information on 4Rs should be compiled synthesized, and disseminated to farming communities and other stakeholders.