Food security at risk without R&D

Pakistan’s food security is at risk due to the lack of investment in research and development (R&D) in the horticulture sector, warn experts. The country’s crop yields are decreasing, and the quality of produce is poor, making it vulnerable to pests and diseases.

The Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA), Waheed Ahmed, has suggested allocating a fund of Rs3 billion for R&D in the horticulture sector.

“Horticulture is an essential subsector of agriculture and has a significant impact on improving human nutrition,” said agriculture sector analyst Waqas Ghani Kukaswadia while speaking to The Express Tribune. He emphasised the importance of R&D, which influences farm productivity and output, food costs, and poverty reduction.

The Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board was established to promote the sector as it has export potential. However, there are challenges with regard to traceability, compliance with international standards, capacity to manage perishables, cold chain management and storage, and marketing.

To assist producers in efficient harvesting, packing, shipping, and marketing the produce, the government must provide horticulturists and extension personnel with the necessary training. Pakistan must focus on high-value crops to enhance horticulture exports, said Ahmed.

The market for citrus fruits in the world is worth $300 billion, of which Pakistan’s share is only $20 million. Similarly, in the export of value-added products of horticulture, Pakistan is also behind with a ratio of only 3%.

To increase fruit exports, Pakistan should focus on value-added crops rather than quantity, including seedless Kinnow, production of table-grade varieties of dates, production of oranges for juice, and tomatoes, said PFVA patron-in-chief.

Production of paste-specific tomatoes, ginger, saffron, blemish-free bananas, production of starchy potatoes, varieties of cherries, and new varieties of onions, including berries, are included.

“We are already facing the consequences of the lack of quality research in horticulture. Our yields are one of the lowest. For example, mango yields in Pakistan are about five tonnes per acre, internationally it’s between 15 and 25,” said Mahmood Nawaz Shah, Senior Vice President of Sindh Abadghar Board (SAB). Although our food security paradigm is just around wheat, the horticulture sector is likely to bring about employment generation, forex, and can stand on its own feet, he said.

Pakistan is at the top of the agricultural regions being the most affected by climate change, where agricultural production is likely to decrease by 50% by 2025 in case of a 3% increase in global temperature. Pakistan already has 16 to 62% less per hectare production of fruits than the leading countries. “There is a dire need to replace outdated farming and horticultural practices with modern methods, including insect-resistant planting materials and modern nurseries, modern climate change management methods, including recycling of resources at the farm level, and adopting methods for water-efficient use, including drip irrigation,” said Ahmed.

Speaking to the Express Tribune, President of Concave Agri Services Muhammad Ali Iqbal said, “Pakistan is facing serious challenges in farming, especially horticulture, due to the lack of R&D in germ plasm, breeding, and seed development.” The country needs coded development according to international standardisation. Unfortunately, the focus has remained on staple food, and horticulture is ignored, leading to the import of hybrid seeds for vegetables causing outflow of forex reserves. No new varieties of seeds of horticulture are discovered with disease-free attributes. This has now caused serious issues related to Food Security.

“Some Rs3 billion R&D fund may be a starting point again, as many similar projects have been run to support the R&D in horticulture sector in other countries, and it has proven to be a successful investment,” said Iqbal. He emphasised the need for the government and private sector to collaborate and invest in R&D to bring about a positive change in the horticulture sector.

Without investment in R&D, Pakistan’s food security remains at risk, and the horticulture sector will continue to struggle with decreasing crop yields, poor quality produce, and vulnerability to pests and diseases. The government needs to focus on high-value crops and provide necessary training to producers to efficiently harvest, pack, ship, and market the produce.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2023.

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