WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 1

ACRONYMS

ACT Action on Climate Today

CEO Chief Executive Officer

COO Chief Operating Officer

FHRI Fazaldad Human Rights Institute

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GHG Green House Gasses

IAGS Institute of Agriculture Sciences

IWMI International Water Management Institute

IRRI International Rice Research Institute

LUMS Lahore University of Management Sciences

PARC Pakistan Agriculture Research Council

PAC Pakistan Agriculture Coalition

RPL Rice Partners Pvt. Ltd.

RRI Rice Research Institute

SRP Sustainable Rice Platform

UN United Nations

UNE UN Environment

WAPRO Water Productivity Project

2 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Rice Partners (Pvt) Ltd expresses its thanks to
Mars Food, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation
and Agriculture department Government of
Punjab for their full support in organizing
the seminar. Special thanks also go to the
Chairman & members of Rice Exporters
Association of Pakistan (REAP) for attending
this event. In this regard the participation
of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council
(PARC), Rice Research Institute Kala Shah
Kaku, International Water Management
Institute (IWMI) Pakistan, University of
Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Lahore
University of Management Sciences (LUMS),
Institute of Agriculture Sciences (IAGS)
Punjab University, Action on Climate Today
(ACT), Pakistan Agriculture Coalition
(PAC), Oxfam Pakistan, GIZ Pakistan, SGS
Pakistan, Nestle Pakistan, Fauji Fertilizers
Company (FFC) are gratefully & blissfully
acknowledged. We are indebted to our
guests, who graced the occasion with their
presence physically or virtually especially
Dr. Yousaf Zafar Chairman Pakistan
Agriculture Research Council (PARC), Dr.
Anjum Ali Buttar Member Plant Sciences
PARC, Dr. Akhtar Director, Rice Research
Institute Kala Shah Kaku, Dr. Naveed Alam,
Country Coordinator , GIZ Pakistan, Dr.
Fazel Jawad Sayyed, Director Agri. Business
SDS LUMS, Mr. Waseem Ul Hassan Shah
DG Plant Protection, Ministry of Food
Security and Research, Islamabad and Mr.
Habib Ullah Bodla Chief Monitoring Cell,
PMIU, Irrigation Department Government
of Punjab and also number of Rice Millers
who participated in this seminar. We are
also thankful to Ms. Louke Koopman, Global
Sustainable Sourcing Manager of Mars Food
for her continuous support and attention,
similarly Dr. Arjumand Nizami, Country
Director, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation
masterly supported us in organizing this
seminar. We are also thankful to Mr. Wyn
Ellis, Coordinator Sustainable Rice Platform
for uninterrupted support and guidance
around the year.
We thank the respected speakers for
highlighting multidimensional insights of
rice sector, demonstrating commitment
for achieving shared goals and zeal for
the adoption of water efficient techniques
and best management practices for
ensuring Sustainable Rice Production in
rice sector of Pakistan. We are also grateful
to representatives from key government
agencies, research institutions, private sector
companies, academia and civil society, who
all played instrumental role in the planning
and execution of this seminar. The broad
participation across the major stakeholder
spectrum depicts the zeal, determination
and integration of Public Private Partnership
(PPP) in rice value chain. It also provided a
robust basis and platform for adopting and
implementing the standard of Sustainable
Rice Platform for sustainable rice cultivation
in Pakistan. We are also thankful to our
colleague Mr. Ihsan Khan, AVP, Islamabad
for moderating this event successfully.
Most importantly, we wish to thank
Capt. Muhammad Mahmood, Secretary
Agriculture Department, and Govt. of Punjab
for his relentless support in making this event
successful & meaningful. Finally, we extend
our profound gratitude to all the distinguished
participants for a vibrant and high-level
discussion, and for the many suggestions
and recommendations. We look forward to
working together with all stakeholders of
rice for building and functioning of strong
foundation of sustainability by promoting
resource use efficiency in rice farming of
Pakistan.
Muhammad Ali Tariq, COO RPL
Zafar Iqbal, Project Manager RPL
Imran Sheikh, Project Agronomist RPL
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Rice Partners Pvt. Ltd (RPL) in collaboration
with Mars Food and Helvetas, Swiss
Intercooperation convened an international
seminar on May 10, 2018 in Lahore,
Pakistan. The event brought together high-
level stakeholders aimed at sensitizing the
importance of water productivity in rice
farming; understanding the issues and
challenges related to the national rice food
security and insights of rice policy; and
sharing the progress and experience of the
Contract Rice Farming Program of the RPL
for implementing rice sustainability solutions
in Pakistan. The event provided a forum
to interact the rice millers/exporters with
each other to develop collaborative multi-
stakeholder action plans for ensuring and
strengthening Sustainable Rice Value Chain.
In the first session, well known persons
from the public or private sector delivered
keynote addresses covering various aspects
of water productivity and rice sustainability.
The second session was comprised of panel
discussions to develop action plan and future
road map for the sustainability in the rice
value chain. The final session was devoted to
some video link messages and documentaries.
Mr. Muhammad Ali Tariq, Chief Operating
Officer, RPL welcomed all participants and
explained the objectives and motives of this
workshop in the larger perspective. Mr.
Zafar Iqbal elaborated the role of RPL in
improving farmers’ livelihoods through its
various activities and incentives including
WAPRO project, funded by jointly SDC,
Switzerland and MARS, Foods. Mr. Imran
Sheikh explained the missing links in the rice
supply chain and how it could be bridged
up to make the supply system more viable
and economical. Dr. Arif Anwar (IWMI)
elucidated the water scarce scenario of
Pakistan and steps needed for ensuring water
security in the country. Mr. Faisal Hassan
3
shared the sustainability challenges of rice
sector and opportunities for alternative
sowing techniques in water and labor scarce
situation in the rice farming system. Mr. Arif
Nadeem gave the overall scenario of Issues &
Challenges of the National Rice Food Security
of the country. Similarly, Ms. Sumaira Samad
and Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed Chattha underlined
the importance of mitigating Climate Change
Implications for sustainable rice production
and role of public sector especially at policy
level for coping with implications of climate
change on rice farming. Dr. Riaz Mann drew
the attention of participants on mitigating
mycotoxins (aflatoxins) developments and
how it could be controlled through several
measures in rice supply chain of our country.
Live video messages were delivered by
Dr. Wyn Ellis, Global Coordinator, and
Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) on SRP’s
role in promoting resource efficiency and
sustainability in rice value chain; and Ms.
Louke Koopman, Mars Food, on contribution
of Mars food in promoting sustainable
rice production and its commitment to
source sustainable rice around the globe by
2020. Key points emerging from the panel
discussion on “Public Private Partnership
for promoting irrigation efficiency in rice
included alternative methods for growing
rice in a commercially and environmentally
viable way, and approaches to drive adoption
of improved practices and techniques to
promote irrigation efficiency for sustainable
rice production.
In his keynote address chief guest Dr.
Ghazanfar Ali Khan stressed the need to
integrate rice research in rice supply chain
of the country for resolving the issues and
boosting rice export of Pakistan and dire
need of introducing global standards in
rice production for securing future export
markets of the globe.
4 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

PREAMBLE

Rice is the major staple food for more than past 10 years. The knowledge gap between
half of the world population and a source the researcher and farmers on improved
of employment, income and livelihoods agronomic practice is becoming wide due to
for thousands of million people. More than poor extension activities. Modern Mechanical
90% rice is produced and consumed in Asia. harvesting of basmati rice varieties at the
While, in Pakistan, it is the 3rd most important premature stage is common, leading to
crop, covering an area of 2.74 million hectare, increased post-harvest losses and infestation
with milled rice production of 6.85 million of microbial organisms in the paddy due
tons. Recently, the crop is facing many several to improper drying and storage facilities.
challenges which pose serious threat to its Likewise, a new restriction of the EU on the
productivity and sustainability. It is estimated MRL due to high pesticide and heavy metal
that more than 30 million Pakistanis, one or residues has badly affected our rice export to
the other way, are depending on this crop for European countries.
their employment, income and livelihoods.
The future of such proportion of the society Consequently, there is a dire need to start a
is at stake, if the concerned and responsible dialogue between all the rice stakeholders
stakeholders do not join their forces to avert to design a pragmatic action plan for
the situation. ensuring national rice food security and it
sustainability, so that a considerable sect of
Basically, rice is a water-loving plant and the society could be economically protected.
conventionally grown in the well puddled RPL is the first rice-exporting company to take
and flooded fields. Water is the most this initiative in the best interest of the rice
valuable input in rice production, as the crop farming community, traders, and consumers.
consumes about 30% of the available fresh
water in the country. More than one million
tube wells installed in the Punjab pump
out underground (70 % water unfit for crop
production) has decreased the water table
by 5-10 feet. According to the UN report,
Pakistan ranks at the 7th position among the
most water-scarce countries in the world. In
the year, 2025, the country has to face a water
deficit of 33 MAF, if new reservoirs are not
constructed. Under this scenario, we have to
develop an action plan and implement it in
the rice farming community, how rice can be
produced with less use of water without any
yield or quality penalty.

Low rice yield, high cost of production, use of

susceptible rice varieties and shortage of farm
labour compel the farmers to shift to other
profitable crops. For instance, basmati rice
area has been considerable declined over the
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 5

SEMINAR OBJECTIVES

Rice Partners Pvt. Limited (RPL), established in 2011, has set up new trends in paddy
procurement and rice export. It is a social impact business that works closely with thousands
of Basmati growers in Punjab, to equip them with the best crop production technologies
for enhanced paddy yields, farm income and livelihoods through its unique Contract
Rice Farming Program (CRFP). The RPL, in cooperation with the MARS, Foods, SDC, and
Helvetas, Pakistan is organizing a one-day seminar on water productivity and sustainable rice
production at Lahore, with the following objectives:

 Understand the impact of challenges like Climate Change, Aflatoxins & Water Scarcity on national
rice food security

 Share progress and learn from the experience of the RPL model Contract Farming Programme

 Develop collaborative multi-stakeholder action plan for strengthening Sustainable Rice Value
Chain

Participants and Approach

The workshop was attended by 88 participants representing Government officials fro of

Pakistan, Government of the Punjab, Academia, Private Sector (Rice Mills), International
Non-Government Organizations (INGOs), Electronic and Print Media besides representatives
from the Mars Food, HELVETAS Swiss Inter-cooperation, and the Delegation of Netherlands
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (See Annexure I for List of Participants).
6 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

WELCOME ADDRESS

Mr. Muhammad Ali Tariq Chief Operating Officer inaugurating the seminar

After the recitation of few verses of the Holy for the betterment of the producers of the
Quran, Mr. Muhammad Ali Tariq, Chief World fame “Basmati Rice”. He narrated
Operating Officer (COO) cordially welcomed that RPL is the only company in the country
all the participants, and representatives from that was accredited by several International
the rice mills, research, academia, Federal Agencies including SRP. He added that RPL
and provincial governments and NGOs, would launch medical camps/mobile health
who travelled a long to grace the occasion. clinics with the collaboration of FHRI and
He explained the motive behind organizing Mars Food. He further added that RPL would
this seminar in a shortest possible time. also organize Youth Human Rights Days
He also reiterated that the rice farming and Teacher Trainings, Skill Development
community is the resource-poor community Program for the rural girls.
with marginal and degraded land holding
and it was our foremost duty to improve
their income and livelihoods with better
crop production techniques and paddy-
procurement opportunities. He said, one of
the objectives of this seminar was to share
the progress of RPL’s 7-years old contractual
program and improving Water Productivity
Project (WAPRO) with the other key rice
stakeholders and prepare a future roadmap Mr. Ihsan Khan, Export Head (RPL) moderating the Session
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 7

DOCUMENTARY ON SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

Participants keenly watching documentary of Uncle Ben’s Rice shooted on RPL farmer by Mars Food

The Rice documentaries on the conventional and innovative/improved methods of rice

cultivation system were shown to the participants. . The key message of the documentaries
was that Pakistan is a water scare country while most of the fresh water is used in agriculture,
so there is a dire need for promoting adoption of efficient water management techniques in
the rice production system with no yield penalty. The participants enjoyed the video and
gave a big round of applause to it.

Prof. Dr. Fazel Jawad Sayed, Suleman Daud School of Business, LUMS, appreciating RPL/Mars rice ecosystem under WAPRO project
8 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

SUSTAINABLE RICE FARMING AND WATER

PRODUCTIVITY PROJECT (WAPRO)

Mr. Zafar Iqbal, Project Manager WAPRO,

RPL presented the field activities and progress
of the WAPRO and RPL. He described that
the RPL Field Team focused how the cost of
rice production could be reduced or how the
rice yield/farm income could be increased.
Highlighting the importance of Pakistan’s
basmati rice at global level, he said that RPL is
committed to boost up export of basmati rice
to its clients at Europe. While sharing the map
of contract farmers, he expressed that RPL has
contract farmers in Sheikhupura, Gujranwala,
Jhang, Sialkot and Hafizabad districts. The
number of contract farmers has grown to 610
in few years. The field teams frequently visit
the RPL’s contract farmers and guide them on
the spot on the best agronomic, nutrient and
pest management techniques for improving
their farm productivity and income. The
contract farmers also follow the technical Mr. Zafar Iqbal sharing outline and impact of WAPRO Project
instructions given by the RPL experts. . RPL demo plots on Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR)
also send text messages on key crop stages on to promote this water-saving technology. The
insect pest alerts, and weather updates, so that RPL also executed 46 principles/standards
the farmers could take preventive measures of the SRP among its contractual farmers.
well in time to save their crop. Contract RPL provided training to 200 farmers on SRP
farmers are also provided information about which brought fruitful results. He further
the timely application of right and effective briefed the participants about the recently
pesticides. RPL only procures paddy directly launched projects on health & education of
from contract farmers and never procure female transplanters and skill development
from open market. RPL maintains a log of children of farmers and workers. RPL is
book in which all the information regarding committed to eliminate child labor in the
the farm, its owner, farm labor, various rice cultivation and bring those children into
activities, and inputs used, and harvest. Mr. schools.
Zafar Iqbal explained how a campaign by
the RPL was launched to eliminate the use
of tricyclazole based fungicides in the rice
crop. . Under the WAPRO, more than 12000
farmers were trained in efficient usage of
water, best agronomic, nutrient and pest
management techniques in the last 2 years.
RPL also provides facility of land laser
leveling to contract farmers on 50% cost
sharing basis. RPL has established about 200
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 9

MISSING LINK OF RICE SUPPLY CHAIN OF PAKISTAN

Mr. Imran Sheikh Project Agronomist spotlighting missing link of rice sector of Pakistan

Mr. Imran Sheikh, Project Agronomist, RPL, threats to meet international standards
highlighted market trade-offs in rice supply in rice export. Furthermore, conventional
chain of Pakistan, such as high cost of paddy drying methods, old and unhygienic
production, low yielding obsolete varieties, storage conditions, and paddy storage at
admixing of rice varieties seeds,, poor or high moisture levels cause phyto-sanitary
sub-standard paddy storage conditions, poor hazards, he further added. Lack of credit
quality of rice produced, and mycotoxin facilities and high interest rates to finance up
infected rice. Similarly, most of the farmers gradation of outdated mills made our rice
are forced to sell their paddy to middlemen industry obsolete and inefficient. He said
at much lower price just because of hard cash. that RPL’s contribution to improve the lives
He explained that large number of rice of rural mankind particularly associated with
processing units were outdated, poorly rice was highly commendable and all the
maintained, energy inefficient leading to credit goes to the Chairman and CEO of the
low head rice recovery and higher cost RPL who look forward for betterment of the
of production. Lack of quality assurance, basmati-growers more than their profit.
traceability & control mechanism pose
Connectivity
Farmer
10 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION
WATER SCARCITY AND WATER SECURITY
Dr. Arif Anwar Country Director IWMI highlighting Water Dynamics of Pakistan
Dr. Arif Anwar, Country Director, IWMI
delivered his keynote address on the issues
and challenges of water scarcity and water
security in the country. He appreciated the
efforts of RPL for conducting this seminar
to bring all the stakeholders together under
this roof. . He described, how the country
is heading towards water scarcity rapidly,
threatening to food security and malnutrition.
Over the past five decades, per capita surface
water availability has declined from 5,260
cubic meters per year in 1951 to around
1,000 cubic meters in 2016. This would
likely to further decline to about 860 cubic
meters by 2025 marking our transition from
a “water stressed” to a “water scarce” country.
He told that 300-400 million rupees have
been invested in canals in Punjab for their
rehabilitation. He said that we were actually
exporting the water in form of exporting
rice, as the crop consumes over 4500 liters of
water per kg of rice produced. He believed
that population increase was one of the major
reason for water scarcity in the country. He
presented a water security framework having
four pillars:
i) Water endowment
ii) Water sector architecture
iii) Water sector performance
iv) Water related outcomes.
The outcomes of Pakistan’s water sector
are that the irrigation output significant
without any real impact on resolving the
issue of water scarcity, so productivity
low; hydropower opportunities significant
but complicated likewise, serious health
problems (with knock-on economic
impacts) associated with water quality and
environmental degradation widespread and
worsening. These outcomes are the result
of the poor performance of Pakistan water
sector. He added that the water resources use
were already unsustainable and likely to get
worse. There is inadequate mechanism for
inter-sectorial reallocation. Inter provincial
sharing is fragile and so difficult to improve
or build resilience to future changes. There
is storage deficit and more storage will help
manage climate change and also hydropower
generation. There is major lack of waste
water treatment due to which billions of
litre water gets wasted. He concluded that
we have to change our narrative for positive
outcomes. The narrative should be reduction
in population by improving the fertility rate.
The reduction of population will enhance the
per capita water in Pakistan.
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION
RICE IN PAKISTAN- OVERVIEW AND SUSTAINABILITY
CHALLENGES
Mr. Faisal Hassan, CEO Grain Tech explaining the challenges of Sustainability in Pakistan
Mr. Faisal Hassan, Chief Executive Officer,
Grain Tech Pvt. Ltd. Lahore, expressed
his gratitude to the RPL management for
gathering all the rice stakeholders such as
rice mill owners, Govt officials, academia
and researchers under one roof. He said,
this is a historical moment in the history
of rice industry in Pakistan that that we
are discussing the basmati rice crop and
betterment of its producers. He realized the
significance of crop rotation that is crucial
for sustainability of agriculture. He quoted
example of Netherlands which had a system
of crop rotation after 3-4 years. Netherlands
is exporting virus free potato seeds for
sustainability of potato production. He said
that farmers preferred to grow other rice
varieties instead of basmati to save time
and early cultivation of wheat. There is a
dire need to change this kind of mindset
11
and focus must be on basmati rice varieties.
The rice traders are suffering from aflatoxin
in paddy due to poor, unhygienic and
harvesting and storage practices, outdated
and obsolete infrastructure standard for the
last 15-20 years. There are less availability
of rice specialized harvesting machines like
Kubota, in addition our farmers are reluctant
in use of these harvesters. He admired the
development of DSR technique as it has
potential to address issues of labor shortage
and better production than the conventional
method. He said that the solution lies in that
we should convert disadvantage of DSR into
advantages by best management practices
and solutions. Moreover, he stressed the need
to bring our traditional belt equivalent to the
non-traditional belt. We can make our village
climate sustainable by using the waste water
for paddy after some cleaning process.
12 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION
FUTURE OF SRP IN PAKISTAN
Mr. Arif Makhdum, Director, Sustainable Agri. Program WWF-Pakistan underlining Sustainability in rice value chain
Mr. Arif Makhdum, Director, Sustainable
Agriculture Program WWF-Pakistan
presented the future of SRP in Pakistan. He
said that the rice was the biggest contributor
of greenhouse gas emissions because the
entire rice crop is irrigated and flooded
with water. It has a negative impact on
our ecosystem and soil health e.g. arsenic,
salinization and organic matter. There is a
need to resolve the issue of greenhouse gas
emission for sustaining the productivity of
rice. Then he highlighted the strengths and
weaknesses of rice industry that is a source
of revenue and employment generation for
Pakistan’s economy. The rice millers have
no ability to assembly and deploy intellectual
and economical resources, no vision for
growth, and have limited knowledge of
business requirements and less usage of
technology based equipment. Our exports
are stagnant at 4 million tons in quantity and
2 billion $ in worth for the last several years.
The reasons for these stagnant exports are
poor quality of exportable rice due to which
we have failed to develop brand market and
retail market share at the international level.
We have not paid much attention towards the
issues such as aflatoxins, pesticide residues
and international market regulations. As a
way forward to transform rice value chain,
there should be robust and feasible standard
or sustainability toolkit for farmers. A
mechanism may be developed to pass on
the benefits of climate-smart sustainable
agriculture to rice value chain, and drive
wide-scale adoption for its larger impact on
the economy of rural population. There is a
need of collaboration between private and
public sector and investments for wide-scale
transformation at farm and policy level. He
also elaborated the work of SRP, the major
goal is to develop 1 million farmers adopt
climate-smart sustainable best practices
within 5 years (2016-2021). SRP has 8 guiding
principles, 32 criteria, 165 recommendations
practices. Eight guiding principles are given
below.
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 13

The key message was transformation of rice educate our farmers and provide trainings
value chains into developing a sustainable on the weed management as per available
food system; proven technologies are standards in market.
available to enhance resource use efficiency
and mitigate climate impact in rice. There
should be effective incentive mechanism
and farmer outreach are key to adoption of
sustainable best practices. However, only a
broad-based, scaled-up response can hope to
accomplish development objectives.

Issues & Challenges of the National Rice

Food Security

Dr. Arif Nadeem, Chief Executive Officer,

Pakistan Agri Coalition spoke on the issues
and challenges of the national rice food
security. At the outset, he appreciated the
efforts of RPL to conduct this seminar and also
thanked for inviting him. He commended the
work of the RPL (known to him 3 years ago)
in the best interest of the farmers. He threw
some light on the challenges faced by farmers
in DSR method, land leveling, and harvesting
of paddy crop. There is a need to improve
the DSR drills, precise level the fields and
better and affordable harvesting machines
with great incentives. . The biggest challenge
is to manage weeds both in the DSR and
traditional transplanted method. We have to
14 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

ROLE OF PUBLIC SECTOR IN CLIMATE CHANGE

Mr. Arif Nadeem CEO PAC elucidating the role of rice crop in national food security of Pak.

Ms. Sumaira Samad, Team Leader, Action on Climate Today, highlighted the role of public
sector especially at policy level, to enable farming communities for adapting, mitigating and
early warning about climate change. She explained the severity and gravity of the matter by
revealing the implications of climate change on rice production around the globe.

Dr. Naveed Alam Country Coordinator GIZ, Pakistan deeply involved during the session
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 15

MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON

SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed Chattha explaining strategies for mitigating climate change in rice cultivation

Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed Chattha, Head Climate eliminate the impact of climate change on
Change Research Group, University of SRP. He said that climate change had a great
Agriculture, Faisalabad spoke on how to impact on rice productivity. Crop models

Resilient Rice production

System

Adaptations Mitigations

Autonomous Planned Rice Rice

Adaptations Adaptations Alternatives Management

Farmers Agronomic Water

Breeding Agronomic
Training Mitigations Management

Awareness Drought Management

Resistance
16 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION
show that rice yield would decrease by
16.2% during (2040-2069) in rice area. Heat
and drought stress at flowering promotes
panicle sterility. Heat shock during grain
filling period deteriorates the grain quality
and reduces the grain size. The reasons of less
availability of water for rice crop in future
would be Glaciers Lake Outburst Floods
(GLOF) and unreliable river flow, erratic
rain fall pattern, decreasing of ground water
level and increasing frequency of floods and
droughts. He presented structure of climate
resilient rice production system which is
given below.
The potential mitigation strategies are direct
seeded/upland/aerobic rice- options to
reduce methane emissions. AWD, no tillage/
reduced tillage practices with fertilizer
placement at a depth of 5 cm reduce N2O
emission. There should be slow release of
fertilizers and continuous monitoring of
GHSs emission through monitoring chamber,
sensors for GHGs analysis and laboratory
equipment (e.g. gas chromatography) and
System of Rice Intensification (SRI). SRI is an
eco-friendly methodology for increasing the
productivity of irrigated rice. It improves the
management practices regarding plants, soil,
water and nutrients. By employing SRI, the
rice crop yield may increase by 20 to 100%
and water saving up to 50%. The potential
adaptation strategies can be as follows,
i) IT based adaptations
ii) Agronomic adaptations
iii) Policy interventions
He described that the IT based adaptations
can be crop models (APSIM, DSSAT,
AQUACROP, ORYZA2000). These
models can be helpful in quantification of
climate change impacts on rice production
for future and can be used to develop
site specific adaptations for rice in the
context of climate change. Other IT based
adaptations can be hydrological models
(WEAP and WEB-DHM).
The hydrological model will be helpful in
estimation of available water for rice growing
area and probability of risk assessment for
rice growing area under water stress. Ag-
Weather Net/Early Warning system is also
IT based adaptation which can forecast
the extreme weather events i.e excess RF,
drought, heat wave, frost and hurricanes.
Agronomic adaptations can be selection of
sowing methods and optimization of sowing
time through crop modeling, synchronization
of crop calendar from sowing to maturity
including all field operations e.g. temperature
optimization during flowering and grain
filling and use of Remote Sensing (RS) to
identify suitable area for rice production.
Another agronomic adaptation can be Rice
trans-planter, to transplant nursery seedlings
in puddled field Optimum Crop Stand Time
and labor saving resource efficient less
transplanting shock. He also gave the policy
interventions like capacity building of farmers
and extension agents, development of rice
apps for decision support system of farmers
and extension workers. There is an urgent
need to revise ground/surface water policies.
There should efficient and effective input and
output market. Government should invest in
research and development of agriculture and
also in infrastructure building. There should
be implementation of GAP supportive
policies. He further said that by introducing
climate resilient rice production system,
we will be able to work/claim Nationally
Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA),
Green Climate Fund (GCF), Carbon Credit
and last but not the least Intended Nationally
Developed Contributions (INDCs).
Mitigation of Aflatoxins in Rice: Dr. Riaz
Mann, Senior Advisor, Rice Partners Pvt Ltd
gave a presentation on the effects of aflatoxins
on rice production and how to eliminate it.
Aflatoxins are a group of naturally occurring
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 17

Dr. Riaz Mann highlighting about techniques of mitigating aflatoxins in rice sector through better phyto-sanitary
conditions

mycotoxins, produced by Aspergillus flavus to address aflatoxin contamination, he

and Aspergillus parasiticus, species of fungi.
There are four aflatoxin types (order of
toxicity): B1 >G1 > B2 > G2. Other aflatoxin
types occur as afla M1 in milk. These substances
cause liver cancer, growth impairment, and
immune system. Over100 countries have
regulations regarding levels of mycotoxins in
food and feed. He presented the strategies to
manage aflatoxin. There is a need for systemic
and integrated multidisciplinary and multi-
stakeholder approach. There should be seed
treatment, ensuring implementation of Proper
agronomic and crop management practices.
There should be two blank applications of
recommended fungicides, he advised. We
should develop and use resistance varieties
added. He advised that harvesting of crop
at full grains maturity and ensures proper
cleaning of combine harvesters and trolleys.
The paddy should be dried within 48 hours
to safe moisture levels, he recommended.
The storage godowns or warehouses or silos
should be dry and clean. There should also
be facility of fumigation for paddy in storage
especially kept in jute bags. There is a need
to avoid any re-wetting and mixing of dried
grains in different lots with different moisture
contents. . Temperature is an important factor
for grain storage. Cool temperatures (<60°F)
minimize fungal growth. Aeration can be
used to facilitate temperature control in
drying and storage.
18 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

PANEL DISCUSSION-PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

Panelist
Name Organization/Department Designation
Dr. Riaz Mann Rice Partners Limited Sr. Adviser
Mr. Tariq Maqbool On farm Water Management Govt of Deputy Director
Punjab
Mr. Sami Ullah Naeem Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan Chairman
Mr. Shahid Hussain Galaxy Rice Mills Managing Director
Tarer
Dr. Zaheer Ahmad Engro Fertilizer Head of Agronomy
Dr. M. Akhtar Rice Research Institute-Kala Shah Kaku Director
Dr. Arjumand Nizami Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Pakistan Country Director

Moderator Dr. Arjumand Nizami Country
Director Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation
Pakistan briefed the seminar participants
on the problems faced by the farmers in
irrigation. She added that export market has
imposed a lot of restrictions. Each panelist
was asked to present his/her perspective
for three minutes followed by discussion/
questions.
but also increase incomes by increasing rice
yields. . He informed that he met with an
Indian delegation who told him that they were
planning to grow rice under drip irrigation.
The other issues like weeds and over use of
fertilization should also be tackled amicably.
Ultimately after 10 to 20 years we have to
move towards drip system so it’s time to start
the drip irrigation.

Mr. Shahid Tarer presented his perspective
on contract farming and said that his mill
was going to start SRP program like RPL in
coming months. He appreciated the working
of RPL on SRP. He said that he would learn
from the RPL experience in implementing the
SRP. He also described that there was a lot
of losses after harvesting at farm level which
need to be used after necessary cleaning
process.
Mr. Tariq Maqbool told that he had been
helping RPL since 2016. He explained the
issues being faced in rice cultivation. He told
that it was a myth that rice crop was always
grown in the flooded water rather than in
the moist soil. . He added that DSR was the
alternative to the conventional method and
better than the traditional one because it not
only reduces costs through water saving
Dr. Muhammad Akhter appreciated the
hard work of RPL and thanked for inviting
him as panelist. He presented the significance
of Basmati rice that was our heritage and we
had to save it by ensuring sustainability.
There was 3.8 million ton rice production in
last year which was the highest production in
the history. This could only be possible with
the consented efforts of present government.
The highest production was the result of
subsidized fertilizer provided to farmers
by the government. The maximum yield of
71 mounds of basmati rice was obtained by
one farmer in the district Kasur. He told that
brown plant harper was a serious threat to
Basmati.
Dr. Zaheer Ahmad highlighted the issues
faced in the export of rice. There are three
major issues for dwindling yield and quality
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 19

Dr. Arjumand Nizami, Country Director Helvetas Swiss Inter cooperation moderating the panel discussion on Public
Private Partnership in rice value chain for promoting Irrigation Efficiency

parameters of rice including water scarcity, farmers and pay them more than the market
low plant population and afflatoxins due to price. The income level of the RPL-registered
poor drying and storage conditions of rice farmers had increased over the time. He
sector of Pakistan. explained how the RPL field teams frequently
visit the farmers’ fields and improve capacity
Mr. Sami Ullah Naeem gave his gratitude to of the farmers through training. He suggested
RPL for organizing the seminar. He said that to the REAP members that they should also
the sustainable rice production was the right launch the contract farming programs as
choice of the future rice industry. He threw early as possible to improve economy of the
light on the post harvesting issues. Post- real basmati growers.
harvest losses are the biggest problem. He
told that this year 10-30% production of rice
got damaged and no bag was found which
did not have damage less than 10%. There are
three key stakeholders, farmers, local millers
and exporters in Rice Value Chain (RVC).
The miserable thing is that every one of them
has to face loss every year.

Dr. Riaz Mann threw light on the benefits of

contract farming program of the RPL since
2012. Both the contract farmers and millers
are getting benefits from this partnership. Ms. Shehnaz Zafar, from Zafar Idrees Rice Mills giving his
feed-back on the program
RPL is getting quality paddy from its contract
20 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SESSIONS

Ms. Louke Koopmans, Global Sustainable Sourcing Manager, Mars Food, communicating with the participants of the
seminar through Video Link

Dr. Arjumand Nizami asked questions from
the panelist.
Question 1: Why we need Public Private
Partnership for irrigation efficiency in rice?
Answer 1: Mr. Shahid answered that the rice
sector is a very fragmented sector so there is
a need of partnership of government with
private sector to bring efficiency in irrigation
system.
Answer 2: Mr. Sami Ullah Naeem replied that
there is an urgent need of that government
regulates the market as the ultimate
knowledge/research lies in government
sector.
public and private sector and roles and
responsibilities of each sector must be clearly
defined /identified.
Question 2: Is there any forum where public
and private sector can communicate each
other?
Answer 1: Mr. Sami Ullah Naeem replied
that Ministry of Industries is the forum where
public and private sector can talk with each
other. All other panelist agreed with Mr.
Sami Ullah Naeem.

Answer 3: Dr. Riaz Mann told that the role

of government has now changed. Without
PPP, efficiency in the irrigation system is not
possible. There should be clear MoU between
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION
SKYPE VIDEO LINK MESSAGE/TALK
Message of Ms. Louke Koopman, Global
Sustainable Sourcing Manager, Mars Food:
She appreciated the leading role of RPL
for organizing this seminar. To address the
issue of Water shortage in Pakistan, Mars
Food in collaboration with RPL is striving
hard to bring efficiency in water usage for
sustainable basmati rice production. With
capacity building of the farmers and technical
guidance, cost of rice production could be
reduced to increase farm profitability. She
also highlighted other issues related to
rice sector like child labor, gender equity,
wages, labor hazardous works, and skill
development of children. . She informed to
the audience that Mars Food in collaboration
with RPL had initiated projects to resolve
such issues recently and we would ensure
elimination of child labor, promotion of
decent work conditions in rice sector and skill
development of children of rice sector labor
Chief Guest Dr. Ghazanfar Ali Khan Additional Secretary P&D addressing the Participants of Seminar
21
force.
Message of Mr. Wyn Ellis, Coordinator,
Sustainable Rice Platform
He informed that by 2021 our target was to
bring 1 million farmers under the umbrella
of SRP. He told that a project of 200 Million
dollars had been initiated in Africa to drive
sustainable agriculture production in Africa.
Keynote Address of Chief Guest Dr.
Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Additional Secretary
Planning & Development, Government of
the Punjab.
He discussed Policy issues and government
interventions regarding promotion of
Sustainable Rice Production in Pakistan.
He said that government was much clear
in tackling the confronting challenges to
agriculture and facilitating the private
sector in many areas. . Private sector is the
22 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION
Overview of the Participants listening with great attention during the seminar
engine of growth and in the entire world;
it is working together with government
sector. Government is committed to invest
in research and development and for this
purpose, 26 institutes are working under
Director General of Research Board. REAP
is the member of the Research Board. Water
management research institute being one
of those 26 institutes, is actively engaged to
develop water conservation technologies.
Government of the Punjab has defined the
PPP rules and also passed PPP act.
He cordially invited to the participants
to submit a research proposal to the P &
D wing of Agriculture Department and it
would be approved in a shortest possible
time. Government has enough funds, lands,
resources, human resource and machinery to
facilitate the private sector. He also informed
that 18 Hi-Tech mechanization centers at
tehsil level would be inaugurated soon.
Private sector has been invited to import
Hi-Tech machines and government would
provide matching grants. Government has
the mega project of extension workers.
Presently, government has no good outreach
but this drawback can be covered through
the use of technology. For this purpose,
government is registering the farmers and
15,000 smart phones have been distributed
among farmers. There are nine agri. specific
applications which provide up-to-date and
latest information to the farmers about the
weather conditions, usage of pesticides and
water management. Besides this, government
has a dedicated helpline for this purpose to
provide on- spot solutions to the farmers. If
the operator is unable to provide solution
to the farmers, then call is transferred to an
expert.
Subsidies on fertilizers and farm implements
are directly given to the registered farmers
with the Agriculture Department. The
whole system is transparent, efficient and
targeted. Government is actively involved
on mitigating sale of spurious seeds. The
spurious seeds would be auctioned and half
of the auctioned money would be given to
scientist/breeders as incentive and half will
go to Research and Development (R&D)
department of the government. He concluded
that water scarcity is not the real issue but the
real issue is its judicious use.
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 23

MEMENTO PRESENTATION

Mr. Muhammad Ali Tariq COO RPL presenting a Memento to Dr.Arjumand Nizami Country Direcctor Helvetas Swiss
Intercooperation

CONCLUSION
The seminar was perceived very positive and interesting by the participants revealed from
their keen attention and feedback. Participants found RPL’s approach and activities much
relevant and right on target for addressing challenges of sustainability and rice food security
of the country. Seminar was concluded on a very positive note

Mr. Michiel Slotema, Ms. Nathalie & Mr. Martin RVO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs keenly observing the session
24 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

SOME CLICKS OF THE SEMINAR

Galaxy of Rice Stars receiving RPL’s memento from in recognition of their relentless support & services
WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 25
26 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION
AGENDA
Activity/Topic
Registration
Opening Remarks
Documentary on Sustainable Rice
Production
Sustainable Rice Farming and WAPRO
Missing Link of Rice Supply Chain of
Pakistan
Water Scarcity and Water Security
Rice in Pakistan- Overview and
Sustainability Challenges
Future of SRP in Pakistan
Tea Break
Issues & Challenges of the National Rice
Food Security
Mitigating the impact of Climate Change on
Sustainable Rice Production
Role of Public Sector in Climate Change
Scenario of Pakistan
Mitigation of Afflatoxins in Rice
Future Dynamics of Rice Export of Pakistan
Responsibility
RPL
Muhammad Ali Tariq, Chief Operating
Officer, Rice Partners Pvt Ltd
Zafar Iqbal, Project Manager
Rice Partners Pvt Ltd
Mr. Zafar Iqbal, Project Manager
Rice Partners Pvt Ltd
Imran Sheikh, Project Agronomist,
Rice Partners Pvt Ltd
Dr. Arif Anwar, Country Director,
International Water Management Institute
(IWMI)
Faisal Hassan, Chief Executive Officer
Grain-Tech Pvt Ltd.
Arif Makhdoom, Director
Sustainable Agriculture Program WWF-
Pakistan
Arif Nadeem, Chief Executive Officer
Pakistan Agri. Coalition
Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed Chattha, Head, Climate
Change, UAF
Ms. Sumaira Samad, Team Leader
Action on Climate Today
Dr. Riaz Mann, Senior Advisor
Rice Partners Pvt. Ltd
Mr. Sami Ullah Naeem, Chairman
Rice Export Association of Pakistan (REAP)
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 27

Mr. Tariq Maqbool, Deputy Director

On farm Water Management, Govt of
Punjab

Mr. Sami Ullah Naeem, Chairman-REAP

Mr. Shahid Hussain Tarer

Managing Director, Galaxy Rice Mills
Panel Discussion-Public Private partnership
for Irrigation Efficiency in Rice
Dr. Zaheer Ahmad, Head of Agronomy
Engro Fertilizer

Dr. M. Akhtar, Director, RRI-KSK

Moderator: Dr. Arjumand Nizami

Country Director Helvetas Swiss
Intercooperation
Video Links Message/talk
Water Productivity & Sustainable Rice Ms. Louke Koopman, Global Sustainable
Production Sourcing Manager, Mars Food
Mr. Wyn Ellis, Coordinator, Sustainable
Rice Platform
Dr. Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Additional
Policy Spaces in Promoting Sustainable Rice
Secretary Planning and Development Govt.
Production in Pakistan
of Punjab
Concluding Remarks RPL
Lunch
28 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

COVERAGE ON PRINT MEDIA

WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 29
30 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

ELECTRONIC MEDIA COVERAGE

 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 31

SOME LINKS OF MEDIA COVERAGE

1. https://youtu.be/dLlsTgximdw

2. https://youtu.be/OitfNY_51lA

3. https://youtu.be/E15hTwElkSY

4. https://youtu.be/FhqAWi7crFs

5. https://epaper.brecorder.com/m/2018/05/11/16-page/716192-news.html

6. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.urdupoint.com/en/amp/agriculture/speak-
ers-call-for-plan-of-action-t-ensure-su-341743.html
32 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

LIST OF THE PARTICIPANT OF THE SEMINAR

Sr.
Name Organization Position
No
1 Mr. Raja Arslan Map Rice Mills Manager Export

2 Malik Muhammad Jahangir White Pearl Rice Mills Chief Executive Officer

3 Mr. Shoaib Zahid Malik Kousar Rice Mills Chief Executive Officer

4 Mr. Abdul Wahid Garibsons (Pvt) Ltd. General Manager

6 Mr. Khusro Nadir Gilani Engro Eximp Agri Products Head, Consumer Business

7 Dr. Zaheer Ahmed Engro Fertilizers Head/Agronomist

Rice Exporter Association of
8 Mr. Samiullah Naeem Chairman
Pakistan
9 Mr. Tariq Mehmood Sarwar Foods Chief Executive Officer

10 Mr. Zafar Iqbal Noble Foods Chief Executive Officer

11 Mr. Ghulam Nabi Sandhu Baba Farid Rice Mills Chief Executive Officer

12 Mr. jaz Ahmed Rice Expert Enterprises Director

13 Mr. Shahid Hussain Tarer Galaxy Rice Mills Managing Director

14 Mr. Shahid Siddique Taj Foods Managing Director

15 Mr. Aqib Chaudhary Aqib Rice Mills Chief Executive Officer

16 Mr. Maqsood Iqbal Iqbal Rice Mills Chief Executive Officer

17 Mr. Irfan Khan Khan Rice Mills Chief Executive Officer

18 Mr. Waqas Aslam Super Rice Mills Chief Executive Officer

19 Dr. Capt. Zafar Iqbal Zafar Idrees Rice Mills Chief Executive Officer

20 Mr. Faisal Hassan Grain Tech Rice Mills Chief Executive Officer

21 Ms. Sumaira Samad Action on Climate Today Team Leader

Helvetas Swiss
22 Dr. Arjumand Nizami Country Director
Intercooperation, Pakistan
Pakistan Agricultural
23 Dr. Arif Nadeem Chief Executive Officer
Coalition
Rice Research Institute, Kala
24 Dr. Muhammad Akhtar Director
Shah Kaku
Rice Exporters Association of
25 Mr. Kashif u Rehaman Secretary General
Pakistan
Agriculture Department, Director General Agri
26 Mr. Zafar Yab Haider Naqvi
Punjab Extension
Agriculture Department, Director General On Farm
27 Malik Muhammad Akram
Punjab Water Management
 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 33

International Water
28 Dr. Arif Anwar Country Director
Management Institute
Lahore University of
29 Dr. Jawad Fazel Sayyed Professor
Management Sciences, Lahore
Agriculture Department,
30 Dr. Abid Mehmood Director General Research
Punjab
31 Mr. Asim Saqlain OXFAM Pakistan Program Manager
Pakistan Agricultural
32 Dr. M Yousaf National Coordinator Rice
Research Council, Islamabad
Helvetas Swiss
33 Dr. Jawad Deputy Country Director
Intercooperation, Pakistan
34 Rao Muhammad Tariq Fauji Fertilizer Company Senior Manager
PMIU Irrigation Department
35 Habibullah Bodla Chief Monitoring Officer
Lahore
36 Dr. Naveed Alam GIZ Islamabad Country Coordinator

37 Dr. Imtiaz Hussain CIMMYT Pakistan Country Director

University of Agriculture
38 Prof. Ashfaq Chattha Professor
Faisalabad
39 Mr. Naeem Ali SCBS (Pvt) Limited Director

40 Akbar Ali SCBS (Pvt) Limited Quality Control Officer

PARC
41 M. Idrees Senior Scientist

Sr. Manager Sustainable Agri.

42 Mr. Asad Imran WWF Pakistan
Program
Director Sustainable Agri.
43 Mr. Arif Makhdum WWF Pakistan
Program
44 Mr. Amjad Ali DOABA Project Manager
Directorate of Agri Extension,
45 Mr. Naveed Ahmed Senior Scientist
Punjab Government
IAGS Punjab University,
46 Dr. M. Bilal Chattha Professor
Lahore
Assistant Manager Public
47 Maryam Khalid Nestle, Pakistan
Affairs
Agriculture Food and Life
48 Inam Ullah Senior Auditior
SGS Pakistan
49 Shahnaz Zafar Zafar Idris Rice Mills Okara Deputy CEO
On Farm Water Management
50 Dr. Habib Ullah Habib Director
Institute
51 Abdul Mannan Punjab University, Lahore Lecturer
Pakistan Agricultural
52 Dr. Shahbaz Hussain Scientific Officer
Research Council
53 Mr.Zahid Khawaja AGROCOM Chief Executive Officer
34 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

On Farm Water Management

54 Mr. Tariq Maqbool Deputy Director
Institute
University of Agricultural,
55 Mr. Shaukat Lecturer
Faisalabad
56 M Mujeed Bismillah Rice Mills Managing Partner

57 Mr. Ateeq Munir Engro Food Plant Manager

58 Mr. M Adnan Fatima Group Media Coordinator

Punjab Agriculture Research Executive Member
59 Dr. M Younas
Board Coordination
ADU, Punjab Government,
60 Rao. M Anwar Scientific Officer
Lahore
Agriculture Food and Life
61 Mr. Ghulam Ishaq Senior Auditor
SGS Pakistan
62 Mr. Haji Abdul Waheed Nobel Foods Managing Partner

63 Mr. Fuad Hamid Garib Garib Sons Director

64 Mr. Tauqeer Ahmad Thall Rice Chief Executive Officer

65 Ms. Haleema Tariq Reem Rice Mills Brand Manager

66 Mr. Hafiz Ghulam Jilani Matco Foods Chief Executive Officer

67 Mr. Ammad Khalid Bari Punjab Rice Mills Chief Executive Officer
Global Sustainable Sourcing
68 Ms. Louke Koopmans Mars Food
Manager
69 Mr. Wyn Ellis Sustainable Rice Platform Global Coordinator SRP
RVO Ministry of Foreign
70 Ms. Nathalie Netherlands
Affairs, Netherlands
RVO Ministry of Foreign
71 Mr. Michiel Slotema Netherlands
Affairs, Netherlands
RVO Ministry of Foreign
72 Mr. Martin Netherlands
Affairs, Netherlands
Ms. Hina Khan
73 Star Asia News Channel Senior Reporter

Mr. Imran Raza

74 Bol TV Cameraman

Ms. Sidra Munir

75 Lahore News Channel Reporter

Mr. Asif Khan

76 Bol TV Reporter

Mr. Mohsin Danish

77 Lahore Rang Reporter

Mr. Ali Raza

78 Lahore Rang Cameraman

79 Syed Aftab Ahmad ARY News Cameraman

 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION 35

80 Mr. Asif Hussain BOL TV Senior Reporter

81 Mr. Almas A Khan ARY News Senior Reporter

82 Malik Irfan Daily City 42 Photographer Reporter

Mr. Amir
83 Geo News Reporter

84 R. MMustansar Abbas Daily Times Reporter

85 Bol TV Staff Reporter

Mr. Naveed Akram
86 Mr. Zarmeena Khan SAMAA TV Senior Reporter
Mr. Qasim
87 Roze News Senior Reporter

P & D Wing Agriculture

88 Dr. Ghazanfar Ali Khan Department, Govt. of the Additional Secretary
Punjab.
36 WATER PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION