Global News

[ad_1] ISLAMABAD: The government has outlined a series of initiatives to breathe new life into Pakistan’s agriculture sector. These include the formulation of a national seed policy and the introduction of the Agriculture Development Authority Act to facilitate corporate farming in Pakistan. Sources informed The Express Tribune that the Ministry of Food has developed several initiatives and is in the process of consulting with all stakeholders, including provincial authorities. These initiatives aim to restructure the agriculture sector, addressing key challenges and fostering sustainable growth. As part of this plan, the government is considering delisting underperforming seed companies that have failed to contribute positively to the introduction of quality seeds in Pakistan. Fraudulent practices by seed and pesticide companies have led to the collapse of the agriculture sector, with farmers falling victim to poor-quality seeds. Sources in the food ministry said the minist...

[ad_1] BEIJING: Chinese and Pakistani scientists are collaborating to develop biological control measures to enhance the quality and quantity of citrus fruit in Pakistan. A research centre was launched by the two countries in 2018 to jointly explore green and sustainable solutions to the growing prevalence of citrus diseases across the South Asian nation. Speaking to the China Economic Net, Professor Dr Qiu Baoli and Professor Dr Shaukat Ali, Director and Deputy Director of the China-Pakistan citrus pest management centre, said that while chemical measures could provide quick responses to citrus disease outbreaks, they also increased the resistance of pests against pesticides, posing grave environmental and health threats. The researchers told CEN that the centre, initiated by South China Agricultural University and Sargodha University, had undertaken four strands of research work to produce environmentally friendly solutions. The first line of research, Qiu and Ali noted, ...

[ad_1] The lender on Friday also revealed that poverty in Pakistan shot up to 39.4% as of last fiscal year with 12.5 million more people falling into the trap due to poor economic conditions. About 95 million Pakistanis now live in poverty. The Washington-based lender unveiled the draft policy notes that it prepared with the help of all stakeholders for the next government. The lender identified low human development, unsustainable fiscal situation, over-regulated private sector, agriculture and energy sectors as the priority areas for reforms for the next government. It proposed measures – immediately increase the tax-to-GDP ratio by 5% and cut expenditures by about 2.7% of GDP – aimed at putting the unsustainable economy back on a prudent fiscal path. However, the measures suggested were mostly in areas that had been considered as “sacred cows”. “The World Bank is deeply concerned about the economic situation of today,” Tobias Haque, the WB’s lead country economist, said....

[ad_1] Aigen founders: Rich Wurden (CTO) and Kenny Lee (CEO) Courtesy: Aigen The Aigen Element looks like a drafting table on rugged tires. It drives itself continuously at around two miles per hour over farmland, using an advanced computer vision system to identify crops and unwanted botanical invaders. With two-axis robotic arms positioned close the ground, the Element can flick weeds out of the way where they'll dry out before they can grow seeds and spread. The robots, which are used in a fleet and sized to meet the needs of a particular growing operation, work continuously for 12 to 14 hours at a time and never need to be plugged in. They are equipped with a lithium iron phosphate battery pack, as well as flexible solar panels which are lighter than the kind typically used on rooftops. They can even run in the dark for about four hours, or six hours in light to moderate rain — all without the emissions associated with diesel-powered farm equipment. The company behind the ...