Improving potato production in Punjab, Pakistan

The 'Capacity building of small-scale potato growers in Punjab, Pakistan' project – led by CABI and funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) – is already ‘sowing the seeds’ of success for hundreds growing one of the province’s key crops.

Over 95% of potato production originates from Punjab and the crop is a significant commodity for both farmers and consumers. However, the productivity of the small-scale potato grower is affected by farmers’ approaches to farming practices and the way they tackle problems, such as pests and diseases.

The project – which is working in partnership with the Agriculture Extension Department, Punjab, the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, the Pakistan Agriculture and Research Council (PARC) and Wageningen University & Research – has so far trained around 550 smallholder potato growers (including 100 women) on advanced potato production.

Twenty-four demonstration and seed quality plots have been established in addition to the extensive training of trainers and support given to farmers in terms of advanced potation production – aimed at strengthening the bond among key stakeholders along the whole potato value chain.

A complete package of training is being delivered – covering information from the aspects of seed sorting and grading as well as till harvesting.

Demonstration plots for ware and seed crop

In order to demonstrate advance potato production technology for the year (2022-2023), five demonstration plots for ware crop were established by district master trainers in the core potation producing areas of Punjab. This was inline with recommendations given by CABI and the Wageningen University & Research team.

Similarly, four more demonstration plots will also be established for seed crop to demonstrate the seed production technology. The demonstration plots were visited regularly by the farmers and the stakeholders to observe the advance potato production practices.
 The farmers were astonished by the seed treatment method adopted by the host farmers as it prevents several seed borne diseases. They also showed compassion to adopt these practices on their farm.

Farmers’ training sessions

This year, the project expects to conduct intensive training for about 450 farmers – including 90 women – in the core potato growing areas of Punjab through practical demonstrations and extension materials developed in the local language.

Farmers are receiving training on seed preparation, planting, fertilizer and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, harvest, post-harvest and storage practices. Many non-registered farmers also participated in these training sessions.

Women also gained knowledge and skills on advance potato production practices. They also appreciated that such activities enhance their engagement at the various stages of the potato value chain and also improve their livelihoods.

Farmers’ field day

Recently, a farmers’ field day was organized to share knowledge regarding seed selection, preparation, planting and land preparation among farmers – especially women – at Okara. More than 80 farmers attended.

The CABI master trainers and stakeholders guided the farmers about best practices for the potato seed selection, treatment, planting and land preparation. Ms Maila Al Saba (CABI master trainer) also highlighted the important role that gender plays in the potato value chain.

Janny Vos, Partnerships Development Director at CABI:
 

"Punjab has potential for good quality potato production due to favourable climatic and edaphic conditions. These advance potato production practices developed by CABI and the WUR team will help the small-scale potato growers to enhance their productivity and improve their livelihoods."

She also advised the master trainers and the farmers involved to spread awareness to their fellow farmers in the local vicinity so that they can also adopt these recommended practices.

Visit of Dutch Ambassador

To ensure the close collaboration with the stakeholders, Her Excellency Henny Fokel de Vries, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Pakistan, paid a visit to the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF).

Here she met with the project collaborators and to receive updates on the RVO-funded potato project from Dr Wasim Akram, Director External linkages, UAF, and Dr Ijaz Ashraf, (Project focal person UAF).
 The Ambassador said the Netherlands is the second largest exporter of the agriculture produce in the world. She further added that Pakistan imports 13,000 tons of seed potato from the Netherlands. Therefore, it is dire need to build capacity of smallholders on advance potato production to enhance their productivity and livelihoods.

She also appreciated the way project is getting progress and is keen to strengthen the bond among different project partners and also took questions from the audience on future collaboration between the Netherlands and Pakistan including opportunities for students.

Ambassador Fokel de Vries also had a detailed discussion with the female master trainers about the challenges they face as women engaged in the project activities and their learnings from them.

Refresher session for master trainers

To achieve the objectives of the project, intensive training was conducted for 24 master trainers – eight of whom are women. A refresher session was conducted in Sahiwal, Punjab, to guide them about advanced potato practices.
 They shared constraints faced by them in implementing the practices and strategies to overcome these issues. Dr Ijaz Ashraf, Associate Professor, the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, discussed the importance of communication skills and community development for the extension worker.

Meanwhile, Dr Ijaz Ul Hassan, Director of Potato Research Institute, Sahiwal, shared the achievements of their institute and the potato varieties developed by them. He also enlightened the trainers about the current potato production status of the country and the role of the Punjab province in it.

At the end of session, the team discussed a tentative schedule of the upcoming activities and develop a strategy for their successful implementation.

Annual stakeholder meeting

Earlier, the team organized an annual meeting with major stakeholders including the Department of Agriculture (Extension), Punjab, Potato Research Institute, Sahiwal, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Potato Research and Development Board, Potato Growers Cooperative Society (PGCS) and input suppliers.

All stakeholders were satisfied with the results of the project activities previously conducted.

They ensured their support according to their role in the potato value chain regarding extension services. This is through the dissemination of extension material developed by the experts of CABI and WUR on advance potato production technology.

The partnership will also help to organize seminars, conferences and expos etc. to disseminate these interventions. The team also appreciated the efforts and support provided by the stakeholders in organizing the project activities and disseminating the interventions.