Bengal or as sometimes it referred as ‘Sonar Bangla’ consists of Indian state of West-Bengal and the country of Bangladesh.The people of Bengal farms and make usage of fertile Ganges Delta land. The main agricultural products of Bengal include Rice, vegetables and Fishes. So, it is quite practical Bengali culinary system will consist of a big part of Fish and vegetables.

In this blog i will try to give a brief feature of Bengal and its food habits along with some famous recipes in my next blog. Let us start with bazaars for whole food cycle.The Bengali bazaar or market can be classified into two groups viz. Vegetable Bazaar & Fish Bazaar. It is a common scene a Bengali babu holding a pair of fish with pride. The vegetable market is generally an open air market and its a known fact Bengal has lot to offer in terms of vegetables and fruits. Sealdah market, Gariahat Market etc. of Kolkata and Polton Bazaar of Dhaka can be seen as the busiest markets. A host of gourds, roots & tubers, leafy greens, succulent stalks, lemons & limes, green and purple eggplants, red onions, plantain, broad beens, okra, banana tree stems and flowers, green jack fruit and red pumpkins are just some of what you’ll see if you visit!

Fish Market which is referred as ‘Macher Bazaar’ in Bengali has also lot to offer.No state in India can offer you so many Fish options.It is very intersting to know visitors from outside Kolkata visit Fish Markets as a tourist spot.They are fascinated by the lively koi (climbing perch), the wriggling catfish family of tangra, magur, shingi and the pink-bellied Indian butter fish, the pabda. Among the larger fish, rui (rohu) and bhetki weigh upto eight kilograms. Baskets of pink and silvery ilish (hilsa) match the shine on the glistening blade of the fishmonger’s boti. And the fish itself is eaten from top to tail!

No straight from the market the Bengali Babus hand over all the shopping items to their wives called “Ginni’ and his duty is over. Now Ginni Maa will move to kitchen for the preparation. If we have a close look inside a Bengali Kitchen we can find so many special Utensils and Masalas that are unique only to Bengal.The kitchen also called ‘ranna Ghor’ or ‘Ranna Bari’ was used as a purpose of cooking. However storage and Eatery areas were different. Its quite intersting to know that separate Charcoal and woods were used to cook Vegetables, Rice,Fish or Mutton.But now Electric Gas is very commonly used.Among the cooking vessels that include are the karais (woks) where most of the cooking and frying is done, the tawa (griddle) on which rotis and parathas are made, the handi – a special large pot for cooking rice and the handleless modification of the sauce pan – the rimmed, deep, flat-bottomed dekchi are all hallmarks of the Bengali kitchen. And of course you will also find the pressure cooker which is indispensable to any Indian kitchen. As for the other utensils you absolutely can’t do without the hatha (ladle), the khunti (metal spatula), the jhanjri (perforated spoon), the sharashi (pincers to remove vessels from the fire), the ghuntni (wooden hand blender) for pureing dal and the old wooden chaki belon (round pastry board and rolling pin).The action in the kitchen begins with the cutting of fish and vegetables and the grinding of spices. And this is when the two star attractions of the Bengali kitchen – the sil nora (grinding stone) and the boti (a cutting tool) appear. The items to be ground are put on the heavy sil, a pentagonal slab of stone and are crushed over and over by its moving partner the nora, a smooth black stone you hold with your hands. This inseperable pair lasts longer than a lifetime and is usually handed down from mother-in-law to daughter-in-law.

Common Bengali Style Cooking :
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1. Ambal : A sour dish either made by vegetables or fish.The Ambal is preapared with the pulp of Tamarind.
2. Bhaja : Fried items.Aloo Bhaja, Potol (Parwaal) Bhaja, Begun Bhaja (baingan) or Fish (Maach Bhaja) are famous.
3. Bhapa : Steamed vegetables and Fish.Ilish Bhappa is a world famous dish from Bengal.
4. Bhuna : An Urdu term used for fried items, fried for long time along with spices.Meats are used to bhoona items.
5. Chachari : A Vegetable item with varities of vegetables cut into pieces,sometimes with the stalks of leafy greens added, all lightly seasoned with spices like mustard or poppy seeds and flavoured with a phoron. The skin and bone of large fish like bhetki or chitol can be made into a chachchari called kanta-chachchari, kanta, meaning fish-bone.
6. Chanchra : A mixed vegetable item.Fish head is also used.
7. Dalna : Mixed vegetable or eggs are used to make dalna.Spices are added and the preparation is little thick pulpy.
8. Dam : Vegetables and specially meat cooked in a covered pot and cooked slowly over a low heat.
9. Ghonto : A mixed vegetable item, vegetables grounded finely and cooked with both a phoron and ground spices.
10. Jhal : Literally, hot. A great favorite in West Bengali households, this is made with fish or shrimp or crab, first lightly fried and then cooked in a light sauce of ground red chilli or ground mustard and a flavoring of panch-phoron or kala jeera. Being dryish it is often eaten with a little bit of dal pored over the rice.
11. A light fish or vegetable stew seasoned with ground spices like ginger, cumin, coriander, chili and turmeric with pieces of fish and longitudinal slices of vegetables floating in it. The gravy is thin yet extremely flavorful. Whole green chillies are usually added at the end and green corriander leaves are used to season for extra taste.
12. Kalia : A rich preparation of Fish, Meat or Vegetables along with Ghee and garam masala.
13. Koftas : It is also called Boras in Bengali.Prepared with vegetables and minced meat. It is served with thick Gravies.
14. Korma : Another term of Urdu origin, meaning meat or chicken cooked in a mild yogurt based sauce with ghee instead of oil.
15. Pora : It is an item usually burnt over furnaces (Unun-In Bengali).Brinjal, Parwaal Tomatoe are famous Poras. It is a custom to take Pora at the begining of Meal.”Porar Mukhe Sob Bhalo” (Taking Pora will make your Tongue taste better) is a famous saying.
16. Tarkari : A general term often used in Bengal the way `curry’ is used in English. Originally from Persian, the word first meant uncooked garden vegetables. From this it was a natural extension to mean cooked vegetables or even fish and vegetables cooked together.

Serving Bengali Foods:
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Traditional way to serve Bengali foods is something like this: Separate Small Carpets also called ‘Asans’ are arranged for each individual.In front of Asan large platter made of bell metal/steel or on a large piece of fresh cut banana leaf is placed.In arround the platter there will be an array of Bowls called ‘Bati’ in Bengali are arranged which contains Chicken,Mutton,Fish,Dal,Tarkari,Shukto,Chutney,Deserts.In the centre of the platter hot Rice is served along with a slice of lime and salt allong with green chillies.Fried items are kept at one side.At the centre of the rice fresh pure Ghee is poured.

In Bengal people use their hands to eat food,otherwise how it is possible to eat the fish Like Ilish or Koi that contains Hectic bones.Also scientifically eating with hands gives a separte taste to foods and a great satisfaction.The other peculiarity about the Bengali eating scene is the unashamed accululation of remnants. Since succulent vegetable stalks, fish bones and fish heads, meat and chicken bones are all meticulously chewed until not a drop of juice is left inside, heaps of chewed remnants beside each plate are an inevitable part of a meal. Wether you have one or twenty dishes,in Bengal the eating style is to have each dish separetly with rice n order to savour its individual bouquet.Vegetables, especially the bitter ones, are the first item followed by dal, perhaps accompanied by fries or fritters of fish and vegetables. After this comes any of the complex vegetable dishes like ghanto or chachchari, followed by the important fish jhol as well as other fish preparations. Meat will always follow fish, and chutneys and ambals will provide the refreshing touch of tartness to make the tongue anticipate the sweet dishes.

How Bengali food differs with any other food culture in India?
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Bengal has innumerable lakes and ponds and the availability of fishes are countless.The preaparation of fishes are different from rest of India.The style you will never find else where in India.Fishes are steamed or braised and also they are prepared with vegetables and usage of mustard paste is seen commonly. Poppyseeds are very famous and used in varieties of fish preparation.Not only fish ‘Posto’ is a very famous food for all Bengali.

Bengali master in Vegetable cooking. They prepare varieties of dishes out of the vegetables that grow here.Not only this various ‘Ambroisal’ foods are prepared from left overs like ejected peels, stalks and leaves of vegetables.They use fuel-efficient methods, such as steaming fish or vegetables in a small covered bowl nestled at the top of the rice cooker.

The usage of spices both for Fish dishes and vegetable dishes are unique and this combination cannot be found in Rest of India.Example can be Kalonji (Kalo Jeere) and pach phoron. Panch phoron is a five-spice (a mixture of cumin, fennel, fenugreek, kalonji, and black mustard). The trump card card of Bengali cooking probably is the addition of this phoran, a combination of whole spices, fried and added at the start or finish of cooking as a flavouring special to each dish.Black Mustard are very famous among Bengali cuisines and is highly used as paste.

Bengali sweets are really unique not over in India but also over the world. Rassgollas, Kheer Kodom, Malai Chop, Sor Bhaja, Rajbhog, Sita Bhog, Mihidana, Doi and lots and lots to name.

I do not want to be termed as pessimist writer who are known for spreading pessimism among the masses. But still there are few things that not only worry me but everyone in Pakistan is concerned over these issues including the record wheat crop this year is not being properly taken up by the government. Every year there is a “wheat scandal” captures our breath and whole year a Pandora box of ”sasti roti”, “flour mills mafia” ,“Middle man scams”, “corrupt bureaucracy” “Formers right”, “Private storage”, “exports or import” etc etc

Despite the fact Government announced supporting price of Rs 950 per 40 kg before harvesting of wheat crop comparing with prices of Rs 425 per 40 kg in 2006-07; and last year supporting price was announced for Middle man was Rs 640 per 40 KG. Government announced the supporting price late and ultimate sufferer was farmer.

This year besides increasing supporting price of wheat per 40kg; Punjab Agriculture Department set a target of 17.9 million tons of wheat production this year. However department expects production can hit the figure of 18.3 to 18.5 million tons. A good sign is that encouraged by government’s timely announcement of Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) of Rs. 950 per 40kg and other facilities the farmers this year (2008 09) have increased the area under wheat cultivation by 16 percent as compared to the last fiscal year. Agriculture Development Commissioner, Qadir Bux Baloch said that

“this year total area under wheat crop cultivation was increased by 16 percent due to early announcement of Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) up to Rs. 950 per 40kg.”

He added that wheat was sown in a total area of 8.610 million hectares in the year 2008 09 in the country and a wheat target of 25 million tons has been set for the current year. About Sindh and NWFP province, he said that 1.027 million hectares and 0.745 million hectares land, wheat was sown respectively, while in Balochistan .371 million hectares was set for wheat production for the year 2008 09.

Punjab Province has produced a very healthy wheat crop this year due to favorable weather conditions on final stage as estimated by the department’s Crop Reporting Wing. The governmental optimism was based on early sowing, timely rain and extended use of pesticides. Use of pesticides remained exceptionally high at 69 per cent, which has saved the crop from many diseases to bring it to a successful conclusion. Though urea crisis plagued the better part of the season, its final off-take did not show any substantial decrease. The only negative factor during the entire season was the low consumption of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). But with so many positive factors, this single factor would not make much of the dent. Arif Nadeem, Agriculture Secretary revealed that for the first time 71 per cent crop was sown from Oct 25 to Nov 30 –this time is considered ideal for sowing; He was expected to have positive impact on the yield.

However like government’s several other failed policies; if we believe that wheat crop was exponentially high; this year wheat croppers once more are expected to suffer. According to one of the most known principle of supply and demand; when supply increase demand decreases. Government announced this increased supporting price and expected a heavy crop too; but unfortunately did not plan [intentionally or unintentionally] to manage this crop due to lake of honesty and sincerity towards farmers. Most of the farmers grew wheat in wake of higher profits out of their production; reports disclose that many farmers who used to sow potato or onion have preferred to cultivate wheat. However Private capitalist minded mafia seems to be in action for depriving croppers from their right to have profit once again.

To resolve issues like gunny bags (Baar Dana); Middle man disorders; transportation of wheat to the Markets; Food Department (which is responsible to purchase whole crop from farmers) on being consulted told that problem in attainment of gunny bags (Bar-daana) has been solved by allowing the farmers to bring their own bags furthermore Punjab Government will pay 40/- Rs for each bag. Chief Minister of Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has ensured croppers and farmers that single grain of the wheat would be purchased from them. In a surprised visit to different procurement centers of Bahawalpur and Lodhran he directed the administration to remove the labour charges and to double the duty staff for facilitating the farmers at procurement centers. He also gave his cell number to farmers and said that they can contact him any time in case of any problem. He said on receiving any complaint against official; strict action would be taken against them. As per the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Food department has kicked off its wheat procurement campaign at its 389 different centres set up for this purpose on April 16, 2009. Punjab has to produce 3.5 Milliom Tons wheat total from Southern belt, central Punjab and rest of the Punjab.

Many large scale growers are satisfied with these announcements but small growers and farmers are still suffering and hot disputes are being noticed in the Mandis and procurements centers. According to sources in Wahari two of the people have been fired from their duties who found to be involved in corruption. Keeping in view the CM who calls himself KHAADim-e-AALA; past track of resolving issues of people in Punjab; small land owners and croppers seemed to be optimist. However where government is to be appreciated it should be but such face saving acts are not going to favor anyone. Lacuna in government planning are preparing ways for Mafias to play their games.

Interestingly Private Wheat buyers have disappeared from the market; Food department who is responsible for procuring whole wheat is facing difficulties. There are authentic evidences available where Farmers are ready to sell their crop on lower rates of 800 to 850/- Rs to those who will store the wheat. In a survey conducted by AgriForum, 10 districts in the southern part where price ranged from Rs860 to Rs890, with no where price touching official Rs950 per 40kg. It looks Government’s delay in buying wheat would help these mafias who are waiting for Market to crash; where wheat price automatically will show a substantial descending order and end in 600-650/- Rs. Furthermore weather conditions; if do not favor the peasants in coming few days; wind storm or rain might damage the crop that is yet to be cut.

In central executive committee meeting of AgriForum it was also disclosed that it was impossible to meet the highly targets set for wheat crop by the government this year while a drop of 75 % in di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), according to them a cut in urea consumption by 16 per cent was also noticed, even potash fertilizer was reduced by 40 per cent, water shortage of 35% and diesel selling at Rs70 per litre, no one knows how the official sources can claim a record crop in the province. ‘The country had set a target of 25 million tons, and Punjab, a producer of 80 per cent of the crop, had to produce over 19 million tons to meet the national target,’ was revealed in meeting. But, Punjab could not go beyond 18 million tons. The country thus faced a shortfall of two million tons as far as its own target was concerned and at least one million tons as far as its national consumption was concerned.

Ruthlessness in Food department is visible when they call these farmers in hurry to sell crop who are forced to sell on low rate. Cultivation is a process and farmers are supposed to prepare lands as soon as possible for next crop of Rice. Once they get free from selling wheat they can prepare land for next crop. However public sector i.e. PASCO and food department are apparently do not seem to be in position to get hold of all the wheat coming into market. Thus farmer is forced to sell his crop on lower rates. Yesterday Punjab government has removed the hurdle of Middle man who will hardly be letting farmer to reach to government.

Most of the farmers are illiterate and can hardly understand the policies thus they are compelled to sell their crop on lower rates. My question here is if government is not buying on lower rates; there must be some Middle man who is buying and storing. Resultantly once Market completely will crash and Farmer would be left with no option to sell his crop of lower rates of 600-650/- Rs; this crop would be purchased by Mafia on lower rates and then notorious Food department will purchase wheat in back dates to benefit Mafia.
My request to all those farmers who are forced to sell their crop on lower rates is; make a call to Chief Minister and disclose this Bureaucratic rip-off. Lets not make Farmers cry this year and make those cry who made Farmers cry.

Gujranwala: 3Oth-NGO organized all Gujranwala girls cooking competition and food festival in Govt. Postgraduate College for women, Model Town on 28th Feb, 09. Contest was escort by the Home Economics Department of current college.

MPA Shazia Ishfaq was the chief guest over there and she highly appreciated NGO management to organize such healthy activities within the city and head of H.eco Dept. Mrs. Saima Tahir for introducing superlative cooking themes. A large number of girls participated in the contest and won worthy gift hampers from 3Oth.NGO.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Mr. Nazar Muhammad Gondal said that the Government is committed to achieve the highest ever wheat procurement target of 6.5 million tons at any cos in the year 2008-2009. The Minister said that according to first estimates released by the provincial crop reporting services wheat crop sown area is 9.053 million hectares which indicates 6% improvement against the last year achievement of 8.54 million hectares and in this way we have also surpassed this year target of 8.61 million hectares by 5%.

He said that it is because of farmer-friendly and prudent policies followed by the present government that we are hoping a good wheat crop. “The timely announcement of and substantial increase in wheat support price to 950 per 40 kg, fertilizer subsidy of Rs. 32 billion to cap the DAP price at Rs. 3050 and “Grow more wheat” campaign on the initiative of federal government were the major steps proved very successful for increasing the sowing area and yield of wheat crop”, The Minister said.

The Minister said that the Government is fully committed to ensure that the wheat growers must get the announced wheat support price. He said that for this purpose along with public sector we are also encouraging private sector to procure wheat from growers and State Bank of Pakistan has advised the commercial banks to provide financial facility of 90:10 to the private sector.

The Minister said that there needs a close cooperation and coordination between Federal and provincial Governments to achieve announced procurement target. The Minister said that 1.50 million tons of wheat will be procured by PASSCO, 3.50 million tons by Punjab, 1.20 million tons by Sindh, 0.25 million tons by NWFP and 0.05 million tons by Balochistan.-SANA

Kolkata, city of joy has many reasons to attract tourists in India. One of the foremost reasons may be Kolkata’s food culture. There are lots of streets and traditional shops were foods are world renowned. Sweets of Bengal are world famous. Starting from traditional Bengali foods to multicuisine, you name it and we have it. In this blog I will try to give some food destinations of Kolkata.

Traditional Bengali foods have always attracted peoples from all over the world. Starting from regular household recipes to traditional recipes everything is available. Some good destination for Bengali food may be at Taj Bengal (5 Star) restaurant at Belvedere Road, Aheli (Peerless Inn) , Bhojohari Manna at Gariahat Road, Kasturi at Marquis Street, Oh! Calcutta at Forum-Elgin Road, ITC Sonar Bangla at Haladane Road, Hyatt Regency where people can try Ilish Maach (Hilsa Fish), Bhetki Maach (Bhetki Fish), Chitol Maach (Chitol Fish), Tangra Maach (Tangra Fish), Pabda Maach (Pabda Fish),Rui Mach Doi Diye (Rui Fish with Curd Curry) Parse Maach (Parse Fish), Chingri Maach (Prawns), Kankra (Crabs). Apart from Fishes people can try varieties of Mutton dishes like Kosha Manngsho (Richly Prepared Mutton), Dakbanglo (Dry Curry of Mutton), Kochi Pathar Jhol (Gravy item of Mutton) and lots to name a few. Chicken items are also available. The Bengali food is best matched with plain rice. If rice needs to be avoided then loochi (A flour preparation), Paratha, rotis are also available.

An ideal Bengali thali contains Plain Rice with Moong Dal, Allo fry, one side vegetable preparation, Begun Bhaja (Fried Brinjals), One Fish Item, One mutton or chicken item, Prawns, chutney, Papads, deserts (Payas), Sweets and in the end a pan. At ShyamBazaar there is food shop called Golbari. Mangsho (meat) from Golbari is very famous.

Apart from Bengali foods people can try North Indian foods like Punjabi foods or Mughlai even frontier foods are also available. Some famous restaurants include Azad Hind Dhaba at Ballygunje circular road (Punjabi foods), Dum Pakht at ITC Sonar Bangla (Punjabi), Guchi (Punjabi) at Hyatt Regency, Saffron at the Park Hotel in Park Street (Punjabi), Sonargaon at Taj. Frontier foods are available in Kafila at City Center and at Sigree in Silver Arcade EM Bypass Lane. Some dishes that can be tried out here are Biriyanis, Chaps, Kababs, Kormas and Firni. Apart from these big ones a very famous hotel named Royal Indian Hotel is there in Chitpur. It is famous for its Tikiyas, Biriyanis, and chaps. Also similarly Sabir in Ganesh Chandra Avenue is famous for its Rezala. Aminia is famous for its Biriyani.

Chinese food destination includes the famous Park Street. In this place some good Chinese restaurant like Bar-B-Q, Tung-Fong, Peiping, Beijing, Marco Polo In China, Japanese foods at Jongs, Jimmy’s Kitchen at C.I.T road. All types of Chinese foods are available here but if you are really experimental with Chinese food then a good destination will be at Mainland China in Gurusaday Road or at Hakka in City Centre.

There is an area in Kolkata called China Para. In this place you can have the most elegant Chinese food cheap and best in quality, although it is not very safe to go that place.

Multicuisine restaurants include Amber at Waterloo Street, Caught n Bowled in City Center, Sourav’s at Park Street, Charnock City at Salt Lake, sizzlers at Mocambo, Peter Cat in Park Street and continental at Hush and Kobe’s in City Center is also very famous. Other famous restaurants include Floriana at Russell Street, Trincas at Park Street, Kurry Klub at Sarat Bose Road and many more.

There are lots of small hotels like Randu Babu Shop Famous for its Mutton Kasa, Monohar Agor which is famous for its Chops, Aileen is famous for its Prawn Cutlet, Mitra Café is famous for its Kabiraji (A mutton Chop)., Chacha’s Ghoogni (A recipe prepared from Grams and Mutton). Also in Esplanade you can find lots of chat shops. In Anglo Indian Area (Para) you can have Beef Steak from Braganza’s. Even Olly Pub makes good Beef Steak.

Vegetarians are also having good scope for having nice food here. Vegetarian Restaurants Include Rajasthani food delicacy at Teej and Gangaur in Park Street, Haveli at Salt Lake, Haldirams in Rabindra Saranani, ISKON sponsored Gokul, Gupta Brothers, and lots of more including South Indian foods at Raj, Chennai Kitchen and lots more.

Coffee House….Its a status of Kolkata. Big minds like Acharya Jagadish Chandra Basu (Scientist), Satyendra Nath Bose (Scientist), Muzzaffar Ahmed (Affectionately called Kaka Babu, politician), Satyajit Ray (Director), Netaji (No introduction needed), and lots of great mind have tasted its coffee and puffed packets of cigarettes here. From this place great ideas born. Although now smoking is banned, but still coffee house preserves its status and glory. A whole blog can be written on coffee house. It is located in just opposite to Presidency College at College Street an area famous for books and Bengalis called this area as “Boi Para” (Area of Books).

Apart from these things there are MacDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Dominoes, Barista, and CCD. Modern Bengalis go to these places where as oldies like me prefer Sharbat from Kaplia Ashram.

Sweets are the most valuable food in a Bengali thali. Rassgulla, Gulapjamun, Sondesh, Rabri, Cham Cham, Doi (Dahi), Ladoo to name a few. Sweet culture in Kolkata can be divided in two categories. One Bengali sweets and other Non-Bengali sweets.

Bengali sweets include Rassgulla (Mascot of Kolkata), Cham Cham, Monohora, Malpoa, Chanar Jalebi, Doi, Nikhuti, Jora Mundi, Sor Bhaja, verities of Sandesh, Ladicanni, Langcha, Kalo Jam, Dorbesh, Danadar, Ladoo, Rabri, RasMundi, Chana pora to name a few. Famous Bengali shops include Bheem Nag, Nabin Chandra Moira, Bancharam, Ganguram, Gobindo, Satyanarayan, K.C Das, Balaram, Girish Nakur, to name a few.

Non Bengali sweets are from north India. It is available at Haldiram’s, Chappan Bhog, Bhikaram, Bikaner Bhujiawala and lots more.

Some famous confectionary includes Flurys, Nahoms, Cakes, Kookie Jar, Candy Treats. Ice cream can be available at Baskin Robbins Outlets, Mamma Mia at Ballygunje Circular Road, Xrong Place etc. Try Lemon Tart at Kookie Jar.

Pan is the end touch to Bengali Thali. Lots of Pan shops are there in Kolkata.Famous is Dutta Babur Paan in college street where a single pan can give you a pinch of 5000 Rupees.

At the end we will come to Bars. Famous bars include Chowringhee Bar (Excellent Vodka are available), Cloud Nine at Astor, Polo Club at Hotel Hindustan International, The Bar at Hyatt Regency (Lovely Cocktails), The Junction at Taj (best Ambience), Trincas and many more.

Islamabad: Despite announcing new wheat procurement price of Rs 950 per 40 kg to encourage growers, Pakistan may be moving towards another wheat crisis due to scarcity of water and a ban by government of Punjab on seed movement, Pakistan Economy Watch warned on Tuesday.

Government may miss target by one million tonnes
Government is already in process of revising wheat production target of 23.5 million tonnes for 2008-09 by .5 million tonnes due to around 40 per cent water shortage. The scarcity of fertilizer and other input costs is also a major concern. But, President of Pakistan Economy Watch, Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that a ban on the movement of seed by government of Punjab may hit the targets badly.

Growers in Sindh start cultivation in the first half of October. Farmers in Mirpur Khas and Sanghar etc have already started sowing sub-standard seed due to non-availability of certified one. All the provinces rely on certified seed from Punjab. Some growers will use retained seeds which is not advisable.

The ban by Punjab is helping making of a crisis as some 65 to 70 percent growers rely on seed from Punjab and the ban should be lifted soon. The ban may push many to opt for other crops frustrating federal government efforts to become self-reliant as far as the staple is concerned.

861,000 hectare area assumed to be cultivated in the Rabi season may not be achieved, warned Dr. Murtaza Mughal. There was no ban before the government of Shahbaz Sharif and now a number of agencies including Food Department, Police and Special Branch are barring any movement. Government of Punjab has decided to issue permits for seed movement by so far no permit has been issued yet. Also, confusion prevails as to who will be issuing these permits, he said.

Frustrated growers can switch to other crops
He said that Pakistan requires a million tonnes of wheat seed per annum. Presently country is facing 50 per cent shortage. Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department is able to provide almost three lakh tonnes of certified seed. The same department is providing 34000 tonnes of cottonseed, 13000 tonnes of rice seed, 8000 tonnes of maize seed, 1000 tonnes of oilseed and seed for pulses etc. “The budget of this department should be enhanced to ensure green revolution,” said Dr. Murtaza Mughal.

PESHAWAR: Peshawar is going through flour shortage as Punjab hasn’t resumed the flour supply to NWFP. Meanwhile, more than 50 percent flour shops have been closed down because of ongoing flour crisis in the province. Despite assurance of Punjab government to lift the ban, supply was not resumed, resulting in higher prices and shortage of floor.

On the other hand, flour price jumped to all time high of Rs750 per 20-kilogram bag in Peshawar. Half of the shops in Peshawar Flour Market were closed down in addition to the 150 flourmills. Around 1300 bags are being supplied to Fair Price shops on daily basis, however, people complained about poor quality of flour available at Fair price shops.-SANA

New York: Rising food prices have pushed 75 million more people into the ranks of the world’s famished, and threaten efforts to realize the goal of halving the number of those in hunger by 2015, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today. According to new figures released by the agency ahead of next week’s General Assembly high-level event on the global anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the number of people suffering from hunger is now roughly 925 million.

Contributing to this growth is soaring food, fuel and fertilizer prices, FAO said. Food prices rose 52 per cent between 2007 and 2008, and fertilizer prices have nearly doubled over the past year. The hardest hit have been the poorest, the landless and female-headed households.

“The devastating effects of high food prices on the number of hungry people compound already worrisome long-term trends,” said Hafez Ghanem, FAO Assistant Director-General for Economic and Social Development. “Hunger increased as the world grew richer and produced more food than ever during the last decade.”

Not only does this development impact efforts to achieve the hunger-related MDG, but it also affects progress towards many of the Goals, said Mr. Ghanem. Hunger negatively impacts labour productivity, health and education, all factors for economic growth. “Reducing the number of hungry people by 500 million in the remaining seven years to 2015 will require an enormous and resolute global effort and concrete actions,” he added.

FAO stressed the need for action on two fronts – making food accessible to the most vulnerable, and helping small producers raise their output and earn more. In December 2007 the agency launched its Initiative on Soaring Food Prices to help vulnerable countries boost food supplies and improve access to food. Measures include the distribution of seeds, fertilizer, animal feed and other farming tools and supplies to smallholder farmers.

“Urgent, broad-based and large-scale investments are needed to address in a sustainable manner the growing food insecurity problems affecting the poor and hungry,” said Mr. Ghanem. “No single country or institution will be able to resolve this crisis on its own.”- UN News Service

The meaning of the above phrase: Oh! Bengali……you are best in Food culture…you are best in Football…you lost your everything……..in spending on foods and parties…..

It was a very old saying about a Bengali babu. Food has always been a weakness for Bengalis. In those days Bengalis used to spend a large amount of money just for the sake of food. A Bengali babu has never hesitated in throwing a party to others, and if for the sake of it, they had to exhaust all their wealth they never did minded at all. Not only in marriage ceremonies, any occasion to them was a party time and in these parties lavish expenditure on food reduced many to a popper. Bengalis have been winners in all the delicacies they have presented to the world. Not just mutton, fish and vegetables but the variety of confections and array of fruit dishes have always overawed the gluttons of the world.

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ISLAMABAD: The Australian Government will provide US$ 8.5 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in support of its programme in FATA and Balochistan. The agreement was signed by Australian High Commissioner Ms. Zorica McCarthy and WFP Representative Wolfgang Herbinger at a ceremony held in Peshawar. Honourable governor of NWFP Mr. Owais Ahmed Ghani was present on the occasion. The ceremony was also attended by members of the provincial cabinet, FATA secretariat and WFP officials. Continue Reading