Okara: June 29, 2021-(TDI) Today, Netherlands Ambassador to Pakistan Wouter Plomp met potato growing farmers in a small village in Okara. Netherlands First Secretary of Economics in Pakistan, Ms. Winnie Van der Wal, accompanied him. Ambassador was briefed on the developments and achievement of the “Capacity Building for Improved Potato Production” project. After wheat and rice, potatoes are the third most important crop worldwide. According to 2017 statistics, Pakistan produces 4.0 tons of potatoes annually. Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, and Kasur the producer of 70% potatoes.
Pakistan potato production is low as compared to other developing countries. Unavailability of healthy seeds, planting material, lack of training regarding pest and disease management are few reasons for low productivity. Capacity Building for Improved Potato Production project was an initiative by Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and Wageningen University and Research (WUR). National institutions are also part of this project.
Ambassador Wouter Plomp was amazed to see ongoing development. He also had a meeting with the farmers. They told him about the challenges they faced during the production. Ambassador also appreciated the stakeholders of the project.
