Ghulam Ahmad Pattern-in-Chief APFDA
In Pakistan, the Rabi season is nearly over, and the Kharif season is approaching, major crops in Pakistan during the Kharif season include rice, maize, and cotton. The issues of food security in Pakistan are increasing day by day. A significant problem is the lack of planning, which has not yet been fully addressed. For example, last year, not only the farmers but also rice traders
and millers suffered greatly. Initially, the expected price of rice was high, but as India and Vietnam opened their exports, international rice prices fell. Additionally, the devaluation process in Pakistan halted, leading to substantial losses for rice millers and traders. Similarly, the maize crop also faced losses due to falling international grain prices, despite having a good
yield. While maize had its challenges.
The challenges of the rice crop are quite distinct. As we all know, rice is Pakistan’s cash crop and a major export commodity. It is one of Pakistan’s significant exports, but its challenges are increasing day by day. Issues such as research leaks and improper use of varieties are exacerbating these challenges. For instance, Europe has imposed strict sanctions, and this year, a substantial portion of Pakistan’s exports has been affected because our standards do not meet their required benchmarks. The excessive and unnecessary use of pesticides has led to the presence of toxic elements, causing these rejections. Although the UK does not currently have as strict sanctions, it is expected that they will in the coming days. If our rice exports to Europe, the USA, Canada, and the UK are hindered, we will be left with only the Middle East and Africa, where we do not get favorable prices. Therefore, there is a need for our research institutions, farmers, and exporters to collaborate on awareness campaigns. They should work together with pesticide companies to ensure that pesticides are used appropriately so that the rice remains exportable. If our rice exports to Europe, the USA, and Canada are banned, it will be a significant threat to our rice crop and the farmers associated with it. These are all areas where planning, management, and dedication are required. Unfortunately, there is currently no planning , dedication, or commitment from the farmers in this regard. As rice transplanting has started in various regions of Pakistan, particularly in some areas of Sindh and Punjab, and is currently ongoing in upper Punjab, it is expected to be completed by the end of June. This is a crucial time to raise awareness among farmers about the quality standards of exportable rice, the
necessary agricultural inputs, and their appropriate quantities. Moreover, it is essential to educate farmers on the proper use of fertilizers, especially phosphatic and potassic fertilizers, and the benefits of balanced fertilizer use for improving crop quality. We believe that a collaborative team should be formed, led by the Agriculture Extension Department, and include agricultural research institutions, pesticide companies, rice millers, and exporters. This team would determine the international export standards and outline the procedures for Pakistan’s rice production, specifying thevarieties, fertilizers, and pesticides that should be used. Supporting farmers in this way will ensure that their crops meet the required standards and can be exported successfully, providing them with fair prices rather than leaving them unable to earn adequately due to the use of unnecessary chemicals and substandard fertilizers. It is crucial to implement these measures so that our farmers remain committed to their profession and continue to be encouraged. Additionally, there is a need for large-scale policies to enhance value addition in Pakistan. This is crucial for rice, maize, wheat, and other agricultural commodities to compete internationally. Enhancing value addition is vital for Pakistan’s food security and for the benefit of farmers. The government support is essential, especially for those involved in these sectors. It is crucial to produce and register value-added products that are competitive internationally. Exporting these value-added products, rather than just raw rice, maize, and wheat, is necessary because exporting raw commodities alone will not significantly improve the national economy. The economy will only improve when we shift from exporting ten million tons of raw rice to exporting value-added products. Look, in the coming days, Pakistan’s growing population will have increasing food requirements. At the same time, our agricultural lands are diminishing due to the expansion of housing societies, reducing the available farmland while the population keeps growing. If we continue to focus only on supporting raw grains, a day will come when our crops will not be sufficient to feed our own increasing population. Therefore, it is crucial not only to improve the quality and yield of our crops and align them with international standards but also to focus on how we can add value and meet the world’s needs. Instead of just exporting raw grains, our focus should be on enhancing value-added products that cater to dining tables around the world, not just their warehouses. We need to present our beautiful products on the global dining tables, rather than merely stocking the world’s granaries. This is a critical moment for us, and we must move forward with this vision.We need to focus on one thing, how to add value to our products and adorn the world’s dining tables with them, rather than just exporting raw grains and letting others profit from adding value to our products. Our nation is in dire need right now; we are heavily in debt globally, and we are exporting our golden grains as raw materials.We have the people, the labor force, and the infrastructure. What we need is leadership. We must transform these raw grains into value-added products and present them on the world dining tables. This is what we need to work on, and it will change the fate of Pakistan and the people associated with it. We must focus on it.