Potato exports to start from early Feb

Minister says all options being exhausted to address growers' concerns

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan has announced that the ministry is exhausting all possible options to dispel apprehensions of potato growers and its basic focus is on facilitating the export of potato, which will start soon with potential increase this season.

The minister made the announcement at a meeting held on Thursday to review the current situation ahead of potato exports, which were going to start formally in the first week of February.



Besides the minister, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Federal Food Security Secretary Hashim Popalzai were also present in the meeting. They discussed various options to facilitate a smooth export of the surplus commodity and address concerns of the farmers.

The food ministry is setting up a facilitation centre in Okara, Punjab for the farmers and exporters prior to the start of overseas shipments.

Speaking on the occasion, Food Security Secretary Popalzai revealed that the government was negotiating with the stakeholders and different options were being considered for the purchase of surplus potato harvest.

It was proposed that the Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) may buy a considerable quantity from the growers to provide relief. The step is expected to facilitate the potato growers and improve the crisis-like situation.

"We are negotiating with provincial agriculture departments and there is another option of the provision of cold storage facilities to the potato growers by the Punjab government," the minister said.



These options were being negotiated and after deliberations, one or both would be finalised, he said. "Our efforts are targeted at providing ultimate benefit to the farmers," the minister remarked.

The ministry insists that it is trying to ensure that no tax is imposed on the export of potato and for the purpose the Federal Board of Revenue has been consulted to facilitate shipments.

Moreover, the issue of Afghan duty is being negotiated and relevant quarters are being approached for the reduction of the levy on potato exports.