REAP seeks zero-rated status for rice exports

Around one million small-scale farmers will adopt climate-smart sustainable agricultural practices across the globe by the year 2023, said Sustainable Rice Platform Executive Director Wyn Ellis.

Speaking at a webinar organised by the Pakistan Basmati Heritage Foundation, Ellis highlighted the impact and gave details of the adoption rate of sustainable rice production standards.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Fakhar Imam, who was present on the occasion, called upon the private sector to come forward to provide quality agricultural inputs and promote mechanisation through the service provider model.

“We need to focus on human resources, capital and the quality of equipment,” he emphasised.

According to the minister, crop yield was the biggest challenge being faced by Pakistan and the country needed to enhance productivity as well as evaluate and assess how its research institutions were working at national, provincial, district and field levels.

He called for building an inherent seed system and adopting technological advancements through digitally integrated mechanised farming.

The minister informed the webinar participants that efforts were under way to ensure the supply of quality seeds, especially hybrid seeds in collaboration with China.

Citing an example of the impact of collaboration, he pointed to the production of green super rice. He also underlined the importance of organic farming and its trends in global markets.

Imam assured the participants of capacity building of the seed regulating bodies and the plant breeder rights registry for strengthening the seed sector.

Sustainable Development Policy Institute Executive Director Abid Qaiyum Suleri highlighted the work of stakeholders related to warehouses. His arguments focused on agro-climatic zoning, allocation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s Special Economic Zones for agriculture and digitisation.

Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Chairman Dr Azeem Khan revealed that although rice yield had increased 30% in the past 40 years, still the gap between actual and potential yield was more than 50%.

Khan shared details of the productivity enhancement project introduced under the prime minister’s emergency scheme worth Rs15.8 billion.

Pakistan Basmati Heritage Foundation Convener Shahid Tarer talked about the goal of his organisation to promote sustainable rice production and preserve Basmati heritage by taking major stakeholders onboard.

Former PARC chairman Dr Yousaf Zafar called for strengthening the indigenous research and development work on rice and better utilisation of the Export Development Fund (EDF).

“We need to strengthen domestic research and development of rice (Basmati, non-aromatic long grain and non-basmati) for fundamental and primary contribution to progress,” he added.

Zafar underlined the need for producing more food including rice, water and agrochemicals in the midst of a challenging scenario where resources were scarce along with climate change and other risk factors.

Agri Extension and Adaptive Research Director-General Dr Anjum Ali Buttar gave details of the National Programme for Enhancing Profitability through Increasing Productivity of Rice, which was being undertaken in 15 rice-producing districts of Punjab.

He stressed the need for providing subsidy on fertiliser, rice transplanters, certified seeds and specialised rice harvesters along with interest-free loans.

Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Chairman Shahjahan Malik requested the government to grant rice exporters the zero-rated status in a bid to help them achieve the export target of $5 billion by 2025.