Future challenges of agriculture inevitably demand knowledge and technology based revitalization of farming. A strategic and rational resource management approach has to be adopted for achieving the productivity enhan...Future challenges of agriculture inevitably demand knowledge and technology based revitalization of farming. A strategic and rational resource management approach has to be adopted for achieving the productivity enhancement goals without compromising on natural resources. Intensive farming system characterized by intensive use of chemical inputs, though made it possible to significantly increase the productivity during 20th century assuring proper food for the growing population, created several health and environmental concerns, compromised on crop quality and has become cost intensive. Its potential is exhausted. However, these problems are not the inevitable consequences of intensive farming system. These problems can be readdressed and their intensity can be alleviated by shifting-over to "Biotechnological-intensive Farming System". Biotechnology and genetic transformation techniques in combination with conventional breeding methods can produce better quality and high yielding novel crops with enhanced nutritional level, resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses leading to less use of chemicals thereby lowering the production cost and ameliorating the problems affiliated with intensive farming system. Biotechnological-intensive Farming System has a greater potential to meet the future challenges of food production in 21st century for burgeoning population. It is compatible with the objective of integrated resource management for sustainability of agricultural resource foundation and is human and environment friendly. Combining biotechnological innovations and genetic modification of crops with farming under a suitable policy framework is our best hope for the future.展开更多
Soil erosion by water is one of the most important land degradation processes in the sloping rainfed lands in Pakistan. A study was conducted in the Dhrabi watershed of Pakistan to evaluate sediment yield associated w...Soil erosion by water is one of the most important land degradation processes in the sloping rainfed lands in Pakistan. A study was conducted in the Dhrabi watershed of Pakistan to evaluate sediment yield associated with rainfall-runoff under various land-use practices. Five sub-catchments with sizes varying from 1.5 to 350 ha were selected for measurement of rainfall, runoff and sediment yield. Soil conservation techniques were also introduced to reduce the soil erosion. All runoff events occurred in the summer especially during monsoon season （July-September）. Sediment yield of two small gully catchments ranged from 4.79 to 8.34 t/ha/yr in 2009, a relatively dry year. In 2010, the annual sediment yield was 8.15 to 12.31 t/ha. Terraced catchment with arable crops produced annual 4.1 t/ha of sediment as compared to 12.31 t/ha by the adjacent gully catchment showing high potential of terraces in reducing erosion. Runoff coefficients calculated for these catchments vary from 0.09 to 0.75. The macro and micro nutrients present in the sediment indicate that these nutrients are being depleted due to soil erosion.展开更多
文摘Future challenges of agriculture inevitably demand knowledge and technology based revitalization of farming. A strategic and rational resource management approach has to be adopted for achieving the productivity enhancement goals without compromising on natural resources. Intensive farming system characterized by intensive use of chemical inputs, though made it possible to significantly increase the productivity during 20th century assuring proper food for the growing population, created several health and environmental concerns, compromised on crop quality and has become cost intensive. Its potential is exhausted. However, these problems are not the inevitable consequences of intensive farming system. These problems can be readdressed and their intensity can be alleviated by shifting-over to "Biotechnological-intensive Farming System". Biotechnology and genetic transformation techniques in combination with conventional breeding methods can produce better quality and high yielding novel crops with enhanced nutritional level, resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses leading to less use of chemicals thereby lowering the production cost and ameliorating the problems affiliated with intensive farming system. Biotechnological-intensive Farming System has a greater potential to meet the future challenges of food production in 21st century for burgeoning population. It is compatible with the objective of integrated resource management for sustainability of agricultural resource foundation and is human and environment friendly. Combining biotechnological innovations and genetic modification of crops with farming under a suitable policy framework is our best hope for the future.
文摘Soil erosion by water is one of the most important land degradation processes in the sloping rainfed lands in Pakistan. A study was conducted in the Dhrabi watershed of Pakistan to evaluate sediment yield associated with rainfall-runoff under various land-use practices. Five sub-catchments with sizes varying from 1.5 to 350 ha were selected for measurement of rainfall, runoff and sediment yield. Soil conservation techniques were also introduced to reduce the soil erosion. All runoff events occurred in the summer especially during monsoon season （July-September）. Sediment yield of two small gully catchments ranged from 4.79 to 8.34 t/ha/yr in 2009, a relatively dry year. In 2010, the annual sediment yield was 8.15 to 12.31 t/ha. Terraced catchment with arable crops produced annual 4.1 t/ha of sediment as compared to 12.31 t/ha by the adjacent gully catchment showing high potential of terraces in reducing erosion. Runoff coefficients calculated for these catchments vary from 0.09 to 0.75. The macro and micro nutrients present in the sediment indicate that these nutrients are being depleted due to soil erosion.
