Crops

Major crops like wheat, cotton, maize and sugarcane are the mainstay of agricultural activity in Pakistan which is supported by one of the largest irrigation systems in the world. There are two main seasons for agriculture, viz., Rabi and Kharif. Crops like cotton, rice and sugarcane belonging to the latter season, start in May and are harvested in November, while the wheat crop and pulses belong to the Rabi season (from November to April).

However, there are gaps between the actual produce and the potential for produce in agriculture in Pakistan; primarily due to a slow rate f adoption of technological solution. Non-scientific practices such as irrigation and fertilization at improper times have also resulted in a decline in yield. This is why, despite its natural advantages, Pakistan still exports agricultural goods worth $ 2 billion annually to meet its domestic requirements including wheat, edible oils, pulses and food additives

Modernizing Agriculture

Fidak Farms ensures that the major crops being planted on fields under its management adhere to the latest, scientifically verified techniques. Fertilizers and pest control systems adhere to timelines and fields are watered at the optimal times.

Techniques that preserve the natural nutrients of the soil such as no till farming and use of biodegradable pesticides have been widely adopted at Fidak.

Variety Development

Fidak Farms is also doing its part for variety development and is currently engaged in a project in collaboration with the Agriculture University in Multan for the development of a better yielding variety of wheat.

Efficient Resource Allocation

Sustainability in the face of diminishing resources is a key development concern in the agriculture sector and Fidak Farms is paving the way for sustainable and efficient resource allocation in agriculture. This would involve replacement of wasteful techniques like flood irrigation with a targeted use of the resource. Moreover, experimentation is underway with cultivation of better yielding varieties of crops that are traditionally grown is arid or semi-arid conditions, chickpea being one such example.

Intercropping is another way of conserving resources and Fidak Farms have protocols for intercropping where complementary crops are sown side by side enabling conservation due to shared water as well as nutrients.

Capacity Building

The company lays great emphasis on building the capacities of its skilled and unskilled employees. This is especially true in the case of labourers working in the field who are not only trained in crop handling but also in adoption of appropriate safety measures that would prevent any damage to their health.

Fidak Farms has been a pioneer in training women labourers who are most often engaged only during harvest to take part in pre-harvest activities that had traditionally remained outside their domain.