ISLAMABAD: A new state-of-the-art geo-spatial system has been introduced at Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) that will increase accuracy and decrease costs of data collection and crop yields each year.

The system, procured and installed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) under a US Department of Agriculture-funded ‘FAO Pakistan Agriculture Information Systems’ project, which improve quality of agricultural statistics in Pakistan using geospatial information.

The crop reporting services of Punjab and Sindh, supported by USDA and FAO, has also been launched at the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad and Sindh Agriculture University at Tando Jam, to improve quality of agricultural statistics using geospatial information.

With US funding, FAO provided the software and hardware for crops monitoring system and trained staff at Suparco, as well as the crop reporting services of Punjab and Sindh to support the adoption of satellite imagery data and for more accurate forecasting of crop yields.

Speaking at an introductory ceremony, Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan said that with the use of the new system, the government and farmers would also have access to accurate, timely and informative reports both at the provincial and federal levels.

FAO Representative in Pakistan, Patrick Evans stated that crop yield forecasting is essential for the government to plan the country’s export targets and ensure food security, especially for the two major crops, wheat and rice.

Pakistan is a major player in the global commodities market. However, a poor year in production of wheat or rice could have an impact on global food prices and lead to increased production both worldwide and in Pakistan, thus reducing food security in the country.

If the government knows that the yield of wheat or rice is going to be low, it can take measures to prevent food shortages.

Similarly, if yield of cotton is expected to be low, the country can either import cotton to keep factories running or adjust export targets and the plants for that year’s budget spending accordingly.

Published in Dawn, October 30th , 2014