Agriculture in District Ghizer

Main problems of Agriculture in District Ghizer

Current scenario of agriculture in Ghizer is miserable and requires immediate attention. Primitive vis-à-vis native cultivars are used in cropping pattern and poor crop management practices are followed in raising of agronomic crops. No innovations for major field crop production and soil management are in practice thus an ecological agricultural pattern is prevailing. Besides limited land holding, quality seed, traditional systems, and untrained labor are a big hindrance in step to progressive farming. As far as horticultural crops are concerned, fruits and vegetables are highly valuable cash crops grown largely throughout the district and are a major source of livelihood. Again the yield is very low that could not meet market demand, and the crops grown are not well received in market. Obsolete practices, local varieties and post harvest losses are very much common prevailing everywhere throughout the area thus causing the decline in quality and perishing the product before marketed.

Realizing the above facets, a big gap is there to fill in order to boost up the agriculture of Ghizer on new lines and ultimately improve the economic conditions of people. In fact this requires the participatory approach involving all disciplines directly or indirectly linked with agriculture. Firstly I would like to highlight the research wing as researchers are the nib pins in process of food production. We will have to change our research patterns and stop working on all the obsolete lines as no further benefit we can have from repeating the existing.  New horizons in research focusing the needs of area should be explored and fund based projects should be run in collaboration with Research and Development Institutions.  Next to Research it begins the turn of extension department who are the front line soldiers in dissemination of all research output given by researchers. Existing weak and rudimentary type of extension system has to play a vital role for the uplift of system that includes technology transfer, training of farmers and advice, provision of helping material, and supply of good and quality agricultural inputs (seed, fertilizer etc.). A meagre role of Agriculture marketing can be seen in down country parts but this wing should be strengthened enough in northern areas because a big potential is there for the produce to be marketed in national and international markets. Local as well as foreign based Stakeholders can be invited by creating interest factor thereby providing a room for industrial growth that correlates directly with employment and income generation.

Here I would like to appreciate the efforts made by different NGO’s for the agriculture, sustainable development, and food security. Likewise our state-owned agencies should be interconnected and work together for the betterment and mutually agreed benefits.  Finally keeping in view the environment sensitivity, all steps taken for the vertical move should be eco-friendly and conservation of nature should be given due diligence.fallowing are the main agricultural problems in district Ghizer.

White Grub

Heavy white grub infestations can destroythe roorts of vegetable crops and cereal crops.the attack is  visible during spring (April and May) and late summer and fall (September and October).

Management 

Although white grubs can be a problem every year, the most serious damage occurs in regular three year cycles. The greatest damage to crops occurs the year after the appearance of the adults. During the years of heavy May beetle infestation, deep-rooted legumes, such as alfalfa or clovers, should be planted. If corn or small grains are present, every effort should be made to keep the field free of grass and weed growth to reduce the number of beetle eggs laid. The year following heavy flights of May beetles, planting corn or potatoes should be avoided in fields that were previously under sod or grass.

Late spring or early autumn plowing destroys many larvae, pupae, and adults in the soil and also exposes the insects to predators, such as birds and skunks. For this cultural practice to be effective, plowing must occur before the grubs migrate below the plow depth. No-tillage or reduced tillage crop management encourages grub populations.

Natural enemies that control these white grubs include parasitic wasps and flies in the genera Tiphiaand Myzinum (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae), and Pelecinus polyturator Drury (Hymenoptera: Pelecinidae), and the fly, Pyrgota undata (Diptera: Pyrgotidae). Also, Cordyceps fungus infects the grubs.                                                                    (part 1)