Rice exports may increase to $3b

Rice exports are expected to increase up to $3 billion this year, due to effective agricultural policies of the government, said Punjab Minister for Agriculture Hussain Jehanian Gardezi. Addressing a seminar on paddy on Saturday, he stated that varieties of Basmati were quite popular and the government was paying attention to hybrid varieties with an aim to earn maximum amount of foreign exchange. Recently, long grain variety had been prepared which would be made available to farmers very soon. “Pakistani rice is popular across the globe due to its particular aroma and taste,” he said. The provincial minister hoped that Pakistan would achieve bumper production which would not only enhance income of farmers but also help strengthen country’s economy. Speaking about per acre yield improvement, he said that the government of Punjab was spending Rs4 billion in this regard. Farmers are offered a subsidy on recommended varieties of seeds and machinery related to rice farming. Gardezi also hinted that Punjab government was promoting mechanised farming. He also urged the farmers to avoid burning of rice remains, as it was illegal because it added smog into atmosphere. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2021.

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