Capacity building of small-scale potato growers in Punjab, Pakistan
Potato is an important crop in Pakistan for both consumers and producers. It is nutritious, produces high returns and there is a potential to increase yields by using good potato cultivation practices. However, a lack of knowledge concerning these is inhibiting many smallholder farmers in their effort to raise productivity.…
Enhancing technology-based agriculture and marketing in rural Punjab
Punjab’s agriculture growth rate has declined over the last two decades because of various challenges. These include the inadequate availability of high-yielding cultivars and lack of diversification in cultivation, inefficient on-farm water management, poor infrastructure for value chain development, weak research and extension services that are largely disconnected from market…
Regulatory harmonization in Pakistan for maximum residue limits and biopesticides
Many less developed economies in Asia, including Pakistan, face challenges in conforming to international food standards and, in particular, pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs), either because these MRLs are not established or because the MRLs are too low for farmers to comply with. Subsequently, affecting Pakistan’s ability to trade. This…
CABI shares progress made on its contribution to food security efforts in Africa at International Year of Plant Health meeting
CABI has shared progress its has made on its activities in Africa – particularly in respect of its contribution to food security on the continent – at an International Plant Protection Convention (IPCC) convened online conference held as part of the International Year of Plant Health. Dr Washington Otieno, who…
UN Food Systems Summit brief calls for global increase in consumption of fruits and vegetables
The need to increase the global consumption of fruits and vegetables for healthier diets has been highlighted in a United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) 2021 brief prepared by scientists working for member organisations of AIRCA. The brief, entitled ‘Fruits and Vegetables for Healthy Diets: Priorities for Food System Research…
Strengthening the potato value chain in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s (KRI) favourable climate and soil fertility offer ideal conditions for potato production, while cultivation and post-harvest activities provide important sources of employment and income in rural areas. Land and labour are also in abundance so there is the potential to significantly increase production. However, due…