Trends in sunflower production and its potential in increasing domestic edible oil production in Punjab, Pakistan

Sunflower is usually cultivated as a cash crop for good return. During the last decade area and production of sunflower increased many times. The study was conducted with the objective to examine the trends in sunflower acreage, production and trade patterns and to determine sunflower potentials to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sarhad journal of agriculture 2013-03, Vol.29 (1), p.7-13
Main Authors: Shah, N.A. (Agricultural Research Inst., Peshawar (Pakistan). Social Sciences Research Inst.), Aujla, K.M. (Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad (Pakistan). Social Sciences Div.), Ishaq, M. (Agricultural Research Inst., Peshawar (Pakistan). Social Sciences Research Inst.), Farooq, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
FARMERS
HELIANTHUS ANNUUS
Oils and fats industry
PAKISTAN
Petroleum industry
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION COSTS
PRODUCTION FUNCTIONS
PRODUCTIVITY
SEED
SUNFLOWER OIL
VARIETIES
Waxes industry
YIELDS
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Summary:Sunflower is usually cultivated as a cash crop for good return. During the last decade area and production of sunflower increased many times. The study was conducted with the objective to examine the trends in sunflower acreage, production and trade patterns and to determine sunflower potentials to increase the oilseeds production in the country and to identify factors/constraints for fluctuation of sunflower acreage and production. Therefore, a multidisciplinary team comprising of scientists from Social Sciences Institute (SSI), NARC, Oil Seed Programme of NARC, scientists from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Quetta conducted an informal survey during May-June 2008. It was found that area and production of sunflower has been increasing however, per unit productivity was lower than the potential level. According to the respondents low production was mainly due to threat of diseases, losses due to birds, adulteration in hybrid seed, high seed rate, higher price of seed, marketing problems and post harvest losses on one side and escalating cost of all other inputs on the other side. Hybrid seed of sunflower was recommended for cultivation in the country and 70-80 % of the sunflower cropped area was covered by hybrid seed. However, entire quantity of seed was imported and its cost was very high. In spite of all these inauspicious circumstances, growers were getting reasonable profit for their produce. The net profit per acre was estimated at Rs.10,569/- and Rs.13,048/- with and without land rent, respectively. However, farmers received double of the return per rupee invested, without considering land rent.
ISSN:1016-4383