KARACHI:
Due to the ongoing economic crisis and a shortage of dollars in the country, some 6,000 containers of pulses are stuck at the ports. The State Bank of Pakistan has refused to approve the relevant import documents required to clear the imports. This has increased the risks of a pulses shortage in the coming months.
Nearly 80% of pulses including lentils and black gram are imported into the country. Amid surging inflation and food shortages, prices of most food items are rapidly increasing. If the stranded containers are not cleared in due time, the prices of pulses will further soar. Shipping companies are also collecting detention charges for the stuck-up containers. The additional costs will be eventually transferred to the consumers. There is also a high chance that the stock may go bad. The looming pulses crisis is alarming as the country is already experiencing wheat flour shortages. Pakistan also suffered a loss of 1.9 million tonnes of rice due to the floods.
The government must meet the demands of the importers to avert a shortage. In addition, given the critical role of agriculture in the Pakistani economy, the federal and provincial departments should work together to improve agricultural conditions in the country. They must invest in research and the latest agricultural equipment and technology to reduce dependence on imports. Local farming communities should be included in these efforts and facilitated through training and guidance.
Khalida Khalid
Turbat
Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2023.
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