Maize exporters urged to diversify

Seminars explore export promotion, good agri-practices for maize, sesame seeds

KARACHI:

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has stressed that China provides a vital opportunity for diversification of maize exports beyond current major destinations such as Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia and Afghanistan, provided growers and exporters fully comply with the requirements of enterprise registration, traceability and phytosanitary certification.

TDAP concluded a five-day seminar series on Export Promotion and Good Agricultural Practices for Sesame Seeds and Maize from July 27 to 31, 2026 in collaboration with the Pest Warning and Quality Control of Pesticides Wing of the Punjab Agriculture Department.

The seminars were held in Okara, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Vehari and Layyah, covering the major production districts of Punjab. Besides growers and exporters, the workshops specifically targeted the extension department staff, who were provided complete technical knowledge to educate and train farmers in pre- and post-harvest management so that the produce could meet international standards.

TDAP Director General Agro and Food Division Athar Hussain Khokhar briefed participants on the recent approval by the General Administration of Customs of China of the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Maize exported from Pakistan. This milestone opens a significant new market for Pakistani maize at a time when exports have declined sharply from the peak of $421.22 million in 2023-24, largely due to non-compliant shipments in the past.

Technical sessions addressed the core challenges limiting the growth of both commodities. Experts underlined the need for harvesting fully mature crops, immediate threshing and drying to safe moisture levels, cooling before storage, well-ventilated clean storage with aeration and integrated pest management together with pesticide stewardship to meet maximum residue limits.