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FIELD VISIT REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY SYNDICATE MEMBERS TO MANAIS

AGRICULTURE FARM, TIBA SULTAN PUR ON DEC. 16, 2016

After the syndicate meeting, the honorable members of the syndicate visited the facilities available at the farm. Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais conducted the visit in which following facilities/technologies available at the farm were shown/demonstrated.

Sr. No.

Facility/ Technology

Details/Features/ Discussion Pictorial view

1. Milking Machine

This is a vacuum based, multi-channel machine which helps bring uniformity and consistency in milking keeping the cattle in comfort. The machine also improves milking efficiency as compared to manual milking. The machine was imported from Italy during 1990 and is working satisfactory since then. The current estimated cost of the machine is Rs. 0.15-0.20 million for two channels milking machine. However, variety of milking systems including milking parlors and multichannel portable machines are available worldwide with varying features and prices. Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais emphasized that such small-scale technology (2-10 channels) need to be developed and promoted in the country.

2. Biogas Plant A biogas unit having production capacity by consuming dung of 10 animals can meet energy requirements of a family of 5-6 members. The construction cost of such unit is about Rs. 70,000/-. The constituent of biogas production includes 95% pure methane gas (source of fuel for household and vehicles), Bio-slurry containing readily available nitrogen and organic matter which is usable for agricultural crop irrigation. Through mass level biogas production using dung of cattle farms, the energy requirements of farm and rural areas can be met. It was suggested by Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais that biogas plants should be declared mandatory on cattle farms which besides overcoming energy shortage, can help minimize environmental pollution at the cattle farms.

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3. Fish Pond The fish farm at the Farm of Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais is established on an area of about 1.25 Kanals. Keeping in view the health and nutrition related benefits and business opportunities; it was suggested that in order to promote fisheries on barren or fellow lands, the G overnment shall provide incentives. He also informed that an area of about 1.25 Kanal (6808.25 sq. ft) can produce over 200kg fish annually. The recommended depth of fish pond is 4-5 feet; and the water circulation system for oxygenation of pond water must be constructed for better production and quality of fish. Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais emphasized the importance of fish farming as a business.

4. Fertilizer Spreading/ broadcasting Machine

This is a tractor rear mounted machine which is powered through tractor PTO shaft. The machine helps in uniform broadcasting of granular as well as powdery fertilizers. Fertilizer spreading with the help of these machines is very efficient as manual broadcasting is not only expensive but results in non-uniform spreading which ultimately results in crop productivity loss. For efficient and uniform spreading the fertilizers, machine need calibration. Rate of application can easily be changed with the help of tractor forward speed or PTO speed. Such machines are manufactured locally and cost is about Rs. 38,000/-. The machine can spread fertilizers in an area of one acre just in 2minutes.

5. Tractor Mounted fodder Harvester

The machine is tractor rear mounted and powered through tractor PTO shaft. High quality steel blades are pivoted on the two cutting drums which rotate inwardly at high speed to cut the fodder close to ground level. The harvested fodder which is left on the ground in the form of a windrow is collected manually. The machine is suitable for harvesting of “Rabi” fodders like “Barseem” and “Lucern”, but can also be used for harvesting of “Kharif” fodders like “Javi” and maize with little modification. These machines are now manufactured locally and price of locally produced machine is about Rs. 175,000/-.

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6. Riding type fodder Harvester

The machine was imported from Italy in 1990 and is working satisfactorily since then without any major fault. The machine is self-propelled as it has its own engine. The operator sits on the machine and steers to control harvesting operation. The fodder harvesting is accomplished by a cutter bar while harvested fodder is left on the ground in the form of a windrow which is picked by manual labourers. The machine is suitable for farmers having small land holding (≤12.5acre landholding). The machine is very economical as it can harvest fodder for 200 animals by consuming one liter of diesel. Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais informed that at present this type of machine is not manufactured locally but there is need to develop this machine locally.

7. Rotary hoe The machine is tractor rear mounted and have a set of star wheels.

Each star wheel is fitted with high quality steel knives which are curved so that as the machine is pulled forward, the rotating knives perform hoeing operation. Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais informed that two types of machines are available at his form; one performing hoeing operation through soil friction while the other is PTO driven. Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais informed that the machine is very effective for mechanical weeding and incorporation of broadcast fertilizers. He also informed that Chemical weeding not only deteriorates the soil, but also contaminates groundwater. He emphasized that mechanical hoeing should be promoted in the country.

8. Manure Spreading machine

It is a tractor pulled, PTO powered machine which is mounted on a single axle two wheel trolley. Spreading of manure is done with the help of rotating chains, but machines with rotating paddles are also used. The machine spreads farm yard manure very efficiently as spreading is uniform and time saving. For efficient and uniform spreading the manures, the machine need calibration. Rate of application can easily be changed with the help of tractor forward speed or PTO speed. At present, such machines are not manufactured locally on large scale, anyhow, cost of locally manufactured machine is Rs. 200000/- while cost of imported machine is over Rs. 1.0 million.

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9. Drip Irrigation The drip system at the farm of Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais is installed to irrigate kinnow orchard grown on an area of 17 acres. The system consists of a solar powered submersible pump, high quality gravel and quartz sand filters to clean irrigation water to prevent choking of drippers. Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais informed that such system is the lifeline of agriculture in Pakistan where irrigation water is becoming scarce day by day. Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais appreciated the government initiative of providing drip systems against 80% subsidy in Punjab He emphasized that such schemes shall be implemented country wide. Such subsidy is prevailing in India for more than 15 years.

10. Seedless/Less Seeded Citrus

Less seeded, commonly known as seedless orange has been grown on an area of 6 acres at the farm of Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais. It was informed that it the largest plantation in Punjab as of today having ---- plants per acre. Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais informed that under a progressive farming system, a profit of Rs. 400000/- can be earned annually from one acre orchard of seedless/low seeded citrus as compared to less than Rs. 100000/- per acre of conventional orchard. Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais also informed that anyone interested to grow seedless citrus can have nursery plants from his farm. He emphasized that such high value horticultural crop needs to be promoted in the country.

It was briefed by Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais that:

- There exist many innovative technologies in the world. Most of the machines present on his farm were available in the country in 1960s; however, unfortunately, attention has not been given towards technological advancement in agriculture sector of Pakistan. The need of the time is to import such technologies and promote them in the country through reverse engineering.

- Most of the farmer donot spend time on their farm and are not involved in farm operations; resultantly, improvement has not occurred in agriculture sector on large scale. He stressed that attempts are to be made to motivate the farmers to pay attention towards their farm through physical involvement.

Decisions Made during the Visit

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During field visit, Mr. Mumtaz Khan Manais suggested that the University should undertake following activities: A. Advanced Research Activities

1. Biotechnology and molecular biology 2. Modern nursery production 3. Climate, input and energy efficient technologies 4. Value addition

B. Capacity building of students and farmers

1. Raised plat-farm technology for cattle farm 2. Small and large scale farm implements and machinery 3. Storage of animal Siemens for cattle farming 4. Student training/internship in agriculture based industries 5. Fisheries/fish farming 6. Fodder technology 7. Nursery raising techniques 8. Organic farming 9. Solar Power operated drip irrigation 10. Farm monitoring equipment (e.g. water & soil quality meters including TDS meter, EC meter, pH meter)

The honorable members of the Syndicate unanimously agreed to this exposure visit, which would help them to make effective decisions for MNS University of Agriculture, Multan to take short and long term initiatives to implement these.

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PICTORIAL GLIMPSES OF THE FIELD VISIT TO MANAIS FARM

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