Pir Mehr Ali Shah

Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi

Office of the controller of Examinations
Final Exam / Spring 2021 (Paper Duration 12 hours)
THEORY
To be filled by Teacher

Course No.: AGR-302 Course Title: SUMMER CROPS

Total Marks: 24 Date of Exam: 05-07-2021
Degree: B. Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture Semester: 2nd Section: A (Morning)
Marks
Q.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Obtained/
Total Marks
Marks
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d
Marks obtained in Words:

Name of the teacher: Dr. Safdar Ali

Who taught the course:Signature of teacher / Examiner:

To be filled by Student

Registration No.: 18-ARID-2040……………….……… Name: Moazzam Ali………………………..

Answer the following questions.

Q. No. 1: What are the prospects of medicinal crops in Pakistan discuss in detail? (6)
Answer:
Future Prospects Of medicinal crops in Pakistan:
 There will almost certainly be a need for stronger coordination of the medicinal plants sector
at the national level. However, the establishment of a national committee, inter-ministerial
dialogue or whatever mechanism is deemed necessary, is more likely to be successful if
appropriate strategic action (as proposed above) has already been taken at the research and
development level.
 The objective is not simply to forge links and collaboration between interested research
parties in the country but also to encourage sustainable development through the adoption
of strategies involving income generation, conservation and target-oriented use of the
resource base as deter-mined by socio-economic and health considerations.
 In the meantime, it would be prudent for the relevant government authorities to address
the following issues:
the validity of CITES recommendations and listings of plants or derivatives re-stricted for
export; wider participation in regional networks and maybe membership in others such as
 the G-1 5 Genebanks for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (GEBMAP); the policy environment
of non-timber forest products and community rights; investment in the private
pharmaceutical sector and expanded education and information flow to hak/ins.

The addressing and clarification of any-one of the above tasks, all of which require attention
on the domestic front, will facilitate progress towards a viable and sustainable medicinal
plants sector in Pakistan.

Since the beginning of human civilization medicinal plants have been used for therapeutic purposes
against a variety of diseases. It is one of the oldest forms of human healthcare known to date.
Medicinal plants and their derivatives contribute more than half of all clinically administered drugs
of modern day. Approximately 40% of newly approved drugs during the last two decades are
of natural origin.
They not only possess a significant position in drug discovery for treatment of cancer and other
infectious diseases but also play a vital role in the revenue generation for many countries including
the ones with low economic conditions.
In United states the trade in medicinal plants is continuously emerging with 10% annual increment
and more and more people are attracted towards applications of herbal medicines. Currently, USA,
China, France, Japan, UK and Italy are considered to be the largest global markets for medicinal
plants.
The global market for botanical and plant-derived drugs was therefore expected to increase from
$19.5 billion in 2008 to $32.9 billion in 2013, an annual growth rate of 11.0%. With this growth rate,
it is estimated that the annual trade in medicinal plant will reach $5 trillion by 2050.
Fortunately, much of the world’s rich medicinal plants habituate in the developing world. Pakistan is
enjoying a rich and diverse flora of almost 5700 species of which around 2000 are reported to be
medicinally important. However, the current digits for Pakistan are far low than the trade of
medicinal plants in other countries like India and China. During 2008-2009 Pakistan imported just
spices of $33.29 million from India. According to FAO Corporate Document Repository, the actual
supply/demand of herbs and medicinal plants is in the range of 20,000 tons per annum. Another
research reported, 22 species of medicinal plants worth Rs 14.733 million were traded in 1990 while
in 2002, this value rose to more than Rs.122 million, an eight-fold increase.This diversity in Pakistan’s
native flora reflects its varied climatic zones that ranges from arid and semi-arid to temperate and
tropical. Some of the important medicinal plants of
Pakistan includes but not limited to;
i. Ephedra Procera: Used to treat bronchial asthma, hay fever and heart stimulant. Once a major
supply of E. Procera to the world originated from Baluchistan Pakistan.
ii. Withania coagulans: Fresh fruit is emetic, Dried fruit is sedative, diuretic and stomachic.
Moreover, it contains anti-cancerous compounds that have already been identified and also the local
people drink its fruits extract for Hepatitis C.
iii. Hedera nepalensis: The leaves and the berries are said to be cathartic, diaphoretic and stimulant.
A decoction of the plant is used to treat skin diseases.
iv. Aster thomsonii: The Aster genus has been used for the relief of cough and it possesses diuretic,
antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-ulcer activities.
v. Acer oblongifolium: Cytotoxic, antibacterial, anti-tumour and antifungal activities are known.
vi. Salvia nubicola: Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Anti-cancerous activities are recently identified.
vii. Euphorbia wallichii: Uses for the treatment of edema, skin disease, cutaneous anthrax and
exanthema. Cytotoxicity (human cell line), antioxidant and DNA protection activities are also known.
viii. Rhazyastricta; Anti-cancerous and Allelopathic activities are known. Locally diabetic patients
drink its leaves water extract.

However, it is also matter of fact that these medicinal plants even in their natural habitat are facing
number of challenges. Being weeds, they are in direct influence of environmental and climatic
fluctuations. Moreover, lack of uniform cultivation practices, pest infections, illegal collection
practices and over exploitation not only adversely effects the plant material for production of
effective phytomedicines but also deplete the natural reservoirs of these important plants. It is
noteworthy that amongst, 5700 plant species of Pakistan, around 700 are endangered including 64
medicinal plants some of which are even extinct now e.g, Asparagus gharoensis, Ajuga bracteosa,
Scaveolaplumererii, Scaveolataccada, Allium gilgiticum, Arabidopsis brevicaulis, Saxifragaduthei,
Cousiniamatifeldei, Taraxacumchitralicum, Pediculariscaeruleoalbescens, Nepeta schinidii,
Bruguieragymnorrhiza and Sonneratia caseolaris.

Therefore, Pakistan is in dire need to not only regulate the earning industry of medicinal plants but
to generate a national narrative of preservation and propagation of medicinal plants. Majority of the
medicinal plants are found in less developed and far flung rural areas of the country like Gilgit
Baltistan, FATA and other parts of KPK and Baluchistan, therefore, it is very important to involve the
local governments, which can play a vital role by making the public engagement in this field. This can
be done by training the local people for medicinal plant conservation, production, cultivation and
transportation. Nonetheless the government should provide linkage of collectors with market and
dealers not only at national level but also at international level.There is urgent need of creating more
functional societies and association related to medicinal plants that can provide information relating
to medicinal plants and extracts just like, International Council for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
(ICMAP), American Council for Medicinally Active Plants (ACMAP), British Herbal Medicine
Association (BHMA), American Botanical Council (ABC), European Herb Growers Association
(EUROPAM), Association for African Medicinal Plants Standards (AAMPS), Federation of Indian
Herbal Industry (FIHI) and Government of India National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB).

The use of modern day biotechnological intervention through invitro cultures and micropropagation
can be another solution where one can start production of medicinally important ingredienst right
from lab scale to industrial scale production. This will not only produce opportunities for new
research, but will also create opportunities for entrepreneurships.

Conclusion
We can conclude from this that research and development in medicinal plants is an ignored area in
Pakistan and there are plenty of different avenues for research in this field. A vibrant governmental
policy and regulation, public awareness and modern biotechnological interventions can result in
mass production of these important herbs with sustainable metabolite profiles which intern will give
way to establish a medicinal plant industry in Pakistan and hence will support the emerging
economy.

Q. No. 2: Discuss the prospects of oil seed crops in Pakistan? (6)

Answer:

The domestic production of edible oils is critically insufficientto meet the demand of growing
population. It only meets 27% of the total edibleoil consumption in the country. The deficit is met
through import of edible oilsfrom other countries on which government is spending billions of
rupees in foreign exchange. It is imperative to mention that the efforts made so far at federal and
provincial levels to increase the production of oilseed crops are not fruitful.
This crop sector remained neglected for the last two decades due to mainlyunfavourable edible oil
import policies. Three main institutions/organizations namely Oilseed Programme NARC, Agricultural
and Biological Engineering Insti-tute (ABEI), NARC and Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB)
Islamabad arejointly working at federal level on the development and promotion of oilseed crops.
More precisely, Oilseeds Programme is working on the development of new varieties and their
promotion. ABEI in addition to other mandatory assignments is looking after the new production
technologies for oilseed crops. PODB is responsible for the promotional field activities related to
oilseeds such as introduction of new varieties and production technologies throughout the country.
Oilseed crops are classified into two groups viz., traditional and non traditionalcrops.
Rapeseed/mustard, groundnut, and sesame are the traditional ones while others such as sunflower
and canola are the non-traditional oilseeds. Mechanization is one of the important and efficient
tools to enhance the crop yield. It also helps to reduce the labour drudgery and ultimately increased
farmers’ prosperity.

Pakistan is facing a severe shortage of edible oil, as its domestic production can only meet 27% of
the total edible oil consumption in the country. The total avail-ability of edible oils in 2007-08 was
3.066 million tonnes (mt) (Anonymous, 2008-09). Local production stood at 0.833 mt, which
accounted for 27% of the total availability while the remaining 73% was made available through
imports. Thus the country has to import edible oil in large quantity involving a large expenditure in
foreign exchange to make up the deficit. It is a matter of great concern that efforts made so far to
enhance domestic production of edible oils have had little impact.
Major oilseed crops are classified into two groups namely traditional and non-traditional. Cotton,
rapeseed/mustard, groundnut and sesame include in traditional oilseeds while sunflower and canola
are included in non-traditional oilseeds. Rapeseed/mustard, sunflower and canola are important
oilseed crops after cottonseed, which contribute approximately 7%, 32% and 10 % in the total
domestic edible oil production, respectively.
Cotton is primarily a fiber crop and oil is its by-product while rapeseed/mustard, canola and
sunflower are the main oilseed crops. They were grown over 0.576, 0.402 and 1.130 million acres
with a total production of 0.172, 0.208 and 0.683 mt, respectively in 2007-08 (Anonymous, 2008-09).
Groundnut was grown over 0.231 million acres with a total production of 0.074 mt in 2006-07.
It is grown as an oilseed crop in the country, but due to its small growing areas in Punjab, Sindh and
NWFP, the annual production is not sufficient for oil extraction.
The major portion of the produce is consumed in confectionary. The other oilseed crops traditionally
grown in the country are castorseed, safflower and linseed. The contribution of these crops in
production of domestic edible oils is negligible. The research conducted in the crops indicated that
the national yield of oilseed crops is still very low as compared to their yield potential.

CHANGING OILSEED COMPLEX

The oilseeds sector is undergoing significant change. The report of Global Oilseed Complex,
Rabobank International Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory shows that primary production
and processing of soybeans is moving from North America to South America, while for other oilseed
crops, the focus is swinging from Western Europe to Eastern Europe and Asia. According to Dominy
(2004) soy still dominates a global oilseed market that is experiencing geographic shifts in production
and processing in response to changing supply and demand patterns.
MECHANIZATION IN NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Pakistan food security and surpluses for export at competitive prices require efficient development
and utilization of agricultural resources. Costs of production of various crops are not competitive due
to low productivity mainly because of inefficient farming practices. Intensive use of agriculture
machinery needs to be popularized among farmers to improve the average yield. It may be noted
that population density is increasing, land-to-man ratio is deteriorating and food requirement is
growing more and more. It is well known that efficient use of agricultural machinery not only speeds
up cultivation processes but also accelerates harvesting and threshing operations. It also results in
considerable saving of fodder and feed through a reduction in bullock population.
Thus, a transition from subsistence farming to commercial farming can only be achieved through the
transfer of the latest, most efficient and cost effective technology to the farming system. The
efficient use of scarce agriculture resources and accelerated agriculture mechanization is, therefore,
vital and demand comprehensive strategic planning for the future. Considering the role of precision
in farm operations, the use of machinery has been encouraged through provision of credit by
commercial banks. The demand for tractors hasoutstripped local production. The current
mechanisation status of each oilseed crop is discussed as per different field operations like
sowing/planting, harvesting,

Q. No. 3 Explain the economic importance of soybean in Pakistan? (6)

Answer:
Pakistan is an agriculture country. Majority of Pakistan’s population is dependent upon Agriculture
and agricultural products. Pakistan is spending a lot of money on the edible oil import. The import
bill of edible oil was Rs.284.546 billion (US$ 2.710 billion) [1]. Globally soybean is grown on an area
of 120.48 million hectares but in Pakistan total area under soybean cultivation is comparatively less.
Farmers are getting low crops production due to these reasons like non-availability of good quality
seeds, lack of advanced agricultural mechanization techniques and unavailability of modern
methodologies which are applied in commercial crop production to save time and enhancement
yield. Value addition is good techniques in which raw materials is converted into usable products e.g.
Potato is value added in different products like processed Chips, finger chips etc. But our farmers are
unaware about the value addition of products to get maximum profit [3]. Soybean is an important oil
seed crop. It contains 20% oil content and 40% protein. It is considered as world healthiest food
ever. Increased protein intake such as soybean meal has always been associated with suppression of
appetite.
Soybean has been historically called as “meat of the field” or “meat without bones” due to these
reasons it is highly rich in protein content. Genistein (an isoflavone phytonutrient in soybean) is used
for cancer-prevention. One cup of soybean (172 g) contains 298 calories and copper (78 %)
manganese (71%) phosphorus (60 %), iron 49 % omega-3 fats (43%) fiber (41 %), magnesium (37 %),
vitamin K (37%) ,potassium (25%) [4]. It is a leguminous crop that is grown to fix nitrogen in soil to
increase the fertility of soil through Rhizobacteria. Due to its low production it is grown on a very low
area of Pakistan. Value added products of soybean include soymilk, soy flour, soy protein and tofu
etc. Early planting of soybean is a critical factor in maximizing yield potential, if crop production
technology is followed. Early planting of soybean crop can help to develop a large canopy, which
may lead to an increase in photosynthesis, resulting in extension of the reproductive growth stage,
ultimately increasing the yield potential. Now days we are facing the problem of climate change
throughout the world. Due to this factor environmental temperature has been changed. It is
affecting badly the production of all crops due to shortage of water.
So, it is need to grow such alternate crops that can survive on low water availability.
So, soybean is a crop which can thrive in all conditions. It has deep root system and can survive
under less water availability. It is therefore high time to realize the fact that Pakistan is spending a
lot of foreign exchange for the import of edible oil to meet the local demands. We should look for
some alternate sources of edible oil from our own sources. We have fortunately good fertile lands
and hardworking farming community which can be engaged for growing crops having good potential
of edible oil like soybean. Government should provide good quality seed of soybean varieties at
affordable prices to the farmers so that they can plant this seed in their more productive areas
rather than marginal lands. Government should also fix support price to this crop and arrange to
purchase the farmers produce at such price so that maximum farmers can be attracted towards its
cultivation. If these suggestions are followed it is hoped that we can bridge the gap between our
edible oil demand and supply.

Conclusion
Soybean is a profitable crop with growing demand from poultry feed and solvent industry. In
Pakistan, the demand for soybean oil and meal has increased many folds as a raw material for
industry in the country. Although the country has suitable agro-climatic conditions for soybean
cultivation but the absence of varieties with high yield potential is one of the major reasons of its
marginal cultivation. Therefore, development of new high yielding soybean varieties, latest
production technologies, and farmers training is imperative to incentivize crop adoption for farmers.
Also, government needs to put in place soybean promotion policy in favor of local production and
discourage heavy imports from north and South America. This will help agricultural industry to not
only tape the local burgeoning demands of soybean but also enable export of the seed.

Q. No. 4: Elaborate in Detail the Integrated Farming System? (6)

Answer:
INTEGRATED FARMING -

All over the world, farmers work hard to earn a living. However, not all farmers make money,
especially small family farmers. There is very little leftover after they pay for all their inputs (seeds,
livestock breeds, fertilizers, pesticides, energy, feed, labor, etc.). The emergence of integrated
farming systems (IFS) has enabled farmers to develop a framework for an alternative development
model to improve the feasibility of small sized farming operations. In the last few decades,
''modern'' technologies have been widely used to enhance the productivity per acre of land to
ensure that there is enough food for the increased global population. Due to the indiscriminate and
erratic use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, our food and ecosystems have been poisoned.

In the last few decades, ''modern'' technologies have been widely used to enhance the productivity
per acre of land to ensure that there is enough food for the increased global population. Due to the
indiscriminate and erratic use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, our food and ecosystems have
been poisoned.

The integrated farming system is a commonly used term to explain a more integrated approach to
farming compared to monoculture approaches. It refers to agricultural systems that integrate
livestock and crop production or integrate fish and livestock and may sometimes be known as
integrated biosystems. In this system, an inter-related set of enterprises is used so that the “waste”
from one component becomes an input for another part of the system. This reduces costs and
improves production and/or income. Since it utilizes waste as a resource, farmers not only eliminate
waste but they also ensure an overall increase in productivity for the whole farming system.
Integrated crop – livestock farming system – key aspects (integrated farming includes combined
growing of crop, livestock, poultry, fish, tree crops, plantation crops or other systems)

Integrated farming tries to imitate nature’s principle, where not only crops but also varied types of
plants, animals, birds, fish, and other aquatic flora and fauna are utilized for production. The basic
principle is to enhance the ecological diversity:

By choosing the appropriate cropping methodology with mixed cropping, crop rotation, crop
combination and inter-cropping so that there is less competition for water, nutrition and space and
by adopting eco-friendly practices
By utilizing a multi-story arrangement so that the total available area is used effectively and there is
a high level of interaction between biotic and abiotic components
By integrating subsystems by which the various components interact positively, so that the overall
farm productivity is increased.

The integrated farming system is also a sustainable system which focuses on increasing farm
productivity by increasing diversification, resource integration and creating market linkages.
Thousands of small and marginal family farmers in resource-poor regions in Asia and Africa have
converted their farming to this sustainable farming system to diversify farm production, increase
cash income, improve the quality and quantity of food produced and the exploitation of unutilized
resources. It usually takes three to four years to establish a well-integrated farm with market
linkages to ensure nutrition and the livelihood of a family. Benefits provided by using an integrated
farming system are:

The integrated farming system approach introduces a change in farming techniques for maximum
production in the cropping patterns and ensures the optimal utilization of resources
The farm waste is recycled for productive purposes in the integrated system
A judicious mix of agricultural enterprises like dairy, poultry, piggery, fishery, sericulture etc. suited
to the given agro-climatic conditions and socio-economic status of the farmers can bring prosperity
to the farming operations.

Many farmers and even entire countries throughout the world are adopting the integrated farming
system which use practices that consider the present and future climatic conditions, soil
characteristics, the food habits of the population and estimates the future food requirements of the
ever increasing human and animal population.

The new integrated practices include improved farming technologies like integrated nutrient
management, site-specific nutrient management, conservation technology, use of bio-fertilizers,
crop rotation, zero tillage, and the use of farm management systems like Agrivi which helps farmers
track their activities on fields, as well as the whole farm productivity and profitability. Agrivi also
supports farmers with integrated farming by providing them with a knowledge base of the best
practice processes in the form of required tasks that allow them to plan the season in advance.

Through the conversion to an integrated farming system and the adoption of modern farming
practices, the problems of food security and global warming mitigation should definitely be solved.

Integrated Farming - UNI 11233-2009 new European agriculture organic standard (IF), integrated
production or Integrated Farm Management is a whole farm management system which aims to
deliver more sustainable agriculture. It is a dynamic approach which can be applied to any farming
system around the world. It involves attention to detail and continuous improvement in all areas of a
farming business through informed management processes. Integrated Farming combines the best
of modern tools and technologies with traditional practices according to a given site and situation. In
simple words, it means using many ways of cultivation in a small space or land.

Definition

The International Organisation of Biological Control (IOBC) describes Integrated Farming is a farming
system where high quality organic food, feed, fibre and renewable energy are produced by using
resources such as soil, water, air and nature as well as regulating factors to farm sustainably and
with as little polluting inputs as possible.

Particular emphasis is placed on an integrated organic management approach looking at the whole
Bio farm as cross-linked unit, on the fundamental role and function of agro-ecosystems, on nutrient
cycles which are balanced and adapted to the demand of the crops, and on health and welfare of all
livestock on the farm. Preserving and enhancing soil fertility, maintaining and improving a diverse
environment and the adherence to ethical and social criteria are indispensable basic elements. Crop
protection takes into account all biological, technical and chemical methods which then are balanced
carefully and with the objective to protect the environment, to maintain profitability of the business
and fulfil social requirements.
EISA European Initiative for Sustainable Development in Agriculture e. V. have an Integrated Farming
Framework[3] which provides additional explanations on key aspects of Integrated Farming. These
include: Organisation & Planning, Human & Social Capital, Energy Efficiency, Water Use & Protection,
Climate Change & Air Quality, Soil Management, Crop Nutrition, Crop Health & Protection, Animal
Husbandry, Health & Welfare, Landscape & Nature Conservation and Waste Management Pollution
Control.

LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming)[4] in the UK promotes a comparable model and defines
Integrated Farm Management (IFM) as whole farm business approach that delivers more sustainable
farming.[5] LEAF's Integrated Farm Management consists of nine interrelated sections: Organisation
& Planning, Soil Management & Fertility, Crop Health & Protection, Pollution Control & By-Product
Management, Animal Husbandry, Energy Efficiency, Water Management, and Landscape & Nature
Conservation.

Classification

Integrated Farming in the context of sustainable agriculture

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO promotes Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) as the preferred approach to crop protection and regards it as a pillar of both
sustainable intensification of crop production and pesticide risk reduction.[6] IPM thus is one
indispensable element of Integrated Crop Management which in turn is one essential part of the
holistic Integrated Farming approach towards sustainable agriculture.

FARRE (Forum des Agriculteurs Responsables Respectueux de l'Environnement)[7] defines a set of

common principles and practices to help farmers achieve these goals:

Principles:

Producing sufficient high quality food, fibre and industrial raw materials
Meeting the demands of society
Maintaining a viable farming business
Caring for the environment
Sustaining natural resources
Practices:

Organisation and management

Monitoring and auditing
Crop protection
Animal husbandry
Soil and water management
Crop nutrition
Energy management
Waste management and pollution prevention
Wildlife and landscape management
Crop rotation and variety choice
KELLER, 1986 (quoted in Lütke Entrup et al., 1998 1) highlights that Integrated Crop Management is
not to be understood as compromise between different agricultural production systems. It rather
must be understood as production system with a targeted, dynamic and continuous use and
development of experiences which were made in the so-called conventional farming. In addition to
natural scientific findings, impulses from organic farming are also taken up.

Objectives

Continuous learning process in Integrated Farming

Integrated Farming is based on attention to detail, continuous improvement and managing all
resources available.

Being bound to sustainable development, the underlying three dimensions economic development,
social development and environmental protection are thoroughly considered in the practical
implementation of Integrated Farming. However, the need for profitability is a decisive prerequisite:
To be sustainable, the system must be profitable, as profits generate the possibility to support all
activities outlined in the (EISA Integrated Farming) IF Framework.

As a management and planning approach, Integrated Farming includes regular benchmarking of

targets set against results achieved. The concept of the EISA Integrated Farming Framework for
example has a clear focus on farmers' awareness of their own performance. By regularly
benchmarking their performance, farmers become aware of achievements as well as deficiencies,
and by paying attention to detail they can continuously work on improving the whole farming
enterprise and their economic performance at the same time: According to findings in UK, reducing
fertiliser and chemical inputs to amounts according to the demand of the crops allowed for cost
savings in the range of £2,500 – £10,000 per year and per farm.