ISLAMABAD: Use of certified seeds can increase potatoes production as 99 per cent in Pakistan use non-certified seed, said an international expert.
Dutch expert on food security RomkeWustman, addressing seminar on ‘Food Security and Need for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in Crop Production,’ jointly organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute and the Embassy of Netherlands, said ensuring uses of technology at all stages of production, which includes storage as well, can improve economic benefit to farmers and other stakeholders. Charge d’ Affairs, Embassy of the Netherlands RenatePors was also present at the occasion.
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RomkeWustman said market oriented production based on stakeholder’s wishes gives feedback to breeders and researchers. This leads to good agricultural practices, which needs specific demands from processes and retailers.
Choosing the right variety, which is resistant to disease and other attacks and using minimum amount of fertilizer and herbicides is the key maintaining Good Agricultural Practice (GAP). He said soil borne pest are controlled by developing crop rotation system. Developing Potato cysts resistant varieties backed by decision support system can have good impact.
Wustman said use of nitrogen fertilizer can be rationalised by using modern technology like GPS. He maintained that minimum lethal dose of herbicides should be used for weed control.
