The Punjab government has allocated a hefty amount for the promotion of ginger cultivation amid the surging climate challenges. Talking to WealthPK, Chief Executive of Punjab Agricultural Research Board (PARB) Dr. Muhammad Akram Qazi said Pakistan was facing the growing challenges of climate change, prompting scientists to explore modern ways for cultivation. He stressed the need to adopt tunnel farming, which had emerged as an excellent option for the cultivation of vegetables and ginger. Following these challenges, he said, the Punjab government had allocated Rs57 million to promote ginger cultivation in the province, which would ultimately boost agriculture. Dr Qazi said the farmers of Punjab were encountering difficulties cultivating vegetables, including ginger, in the open due to the changing weather patterns. "We have developed a mechanism to ensure ginger cultivation in tunnels to cater to the consumer's demands. This approach will surely lead to an increase in per acre yield and improve the farmers' financial condition," he said.

The price of ginger had surged to Rs1,200 a couple of months ago. He said drip irrigation systems were being installed in the tunnels across the province for cultivation of ginger and other vegetables. The earmarked amount will be used for such facilities. Besides, he said a significant amount of subsidy was being offered to the farmers for installation of drip irrigation systems and cultivation of vegetables. Expressing frustration, Muhammad Afzal, a farmer of Chak 41-JB, told WealthPK that the agricultural departments were doing nothing except raising hollow slogans on different issues. He said the farmers knew better than the government officials. "We are well aware of the cultivation complexities – when and how to grow crops. But it's ironic that government officials are neglecting the farmers' input and are not ready to develop a platform where both the farmers and officials can meet," he added. "The officers decide the fate of the farmers in their offices rather than develop connections with them to address their issues permanently. Nobody seems ready to seek the farmers' input, which is genuine and reflects the ground realities," he lamented.

Dr Naeem, a faculty member of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, told WealthPK that ginger served not only as a culinary ingredient but also as a medicine. He said the Pakistanis extensively used ginger in their daily diet. Besides, he said they were also using it to prepare jams, pickles, and beverages. Because of its therapeutic benefits, ginger is also a suitable choice in the traditional medicine. "For optimal ginger growth, the farmers have to maintain moist and moderate climatic conditions. They should not go for ginger cultivation in May and June due to heat in those months. Hot and dry weather in these two months is unsuitable for ginger plants," he added. Aamir Shahzad, a farmer, told WealthPK that he was harvesting up to 1.5 kilograms of ginger per plant in the Potohar region. He asked the farmers to start cultivating ginger on a small scale initially and scale it up based on their experience.

Farmers must produce their seeds rather than purchase them from the local market. He agreed with the idea that ginger cultivation promotion in Punjab through tunnel farming could offer the growers an opportunity to diversify their crops. Through diversification, the farmers could increase yields and efficiently ensure affordable food items for the nation, he explained. Dr Qazi further said, "By ensuring adequate support, training, and infrastructure, we can promote ginger cultivation. We are striving for this so that it can emerge as a lucrative venture for the farmers across Pakistan. The agricultural scientists are dedicated to ensuring food security and economic prosperity for Pakistan."

Credit: Independent News Pakistan