Bottlenecks hampering farm exports highlighted

Infestation could affect export of kinnow worth $200 million, NA panel told

ISLAMABAD:

The National Assembly Special Committee on Agricultural Products on Thursday urged the government to holistically address the structural, operational and policy issues to accelerate the country’s agricultural exports.

It was revealed that higher cost of production, low level of farms productivity, lack of research in seed development and infrastructural bottlenecks preclude the country’s quest for enhanced agricultural export value and competitiveness.

The panel members stressed that without meaningful intervention, modernisation and structural transformation of the agriculture sector, food inflation would derail prospects of economic growth.

The sub-committee led by Shandana Gulzar Khan was tasked to make recommendations to resolve the issues faced by the agricultural exporters and eliminate hindrances to enhance the country’s exports.

All Pakistan Fruits and Vegetables Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association, Rice Exporters Association and officials of the Ministry of Commerce, Food Security and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council briefed the committee about the challenges faced by them.

They promised drastic improvements in enhancing the agricultural export if their problems were solved.

The committee members were told that due to the threat of infestation the export of kinnow worth $200 million could be affected.

The participants of the meeting demanded that fruits and vegetables should be recognised as an industry and privileges be given on the pattern of other export-oriented sectors.

They also asked for the activation of the quarantine section at Taftan and Chaman borders to facilitate the exporters. The committee was asked to reduce the fee for issuance of phytosanitary certificate from Rs2,500 to Rs300.

The rice exporters urged the government to urgently address the availability and price of freight logistics resulting in carryover of stocks.