Agricultural exports: ‘Pakistan can grow in international markets’

US has launched a series of workshops across the country to help increase agricultural exports.

ISLAMABAD:

With the aim to boost Pakistan’s agricultural exports, the US government has launched a series of two-day workshops across the country.

These short courses, for promoting international standards of agriculture, will bring together government representatives, private businesses and farmers alike to identify methods of improved production, processing and packaging of agricultural goods for international markets.

The first workshop in Islamabad was held on Monday, which was attended by farmers and businessmen from the twin cities as well as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

“Pakistan’s share in world’s agricultural and food exports depends on its productivity, its ability to compete with other countries and to identify strategic market opportunities,” said USAID Director Dr Andrew Sisson.

“Nearly two-third of Pakistan’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture for livelihood. Yet this sector accounts for only 21 per cent of the country’s GDP, while agricultural exports constitute less than 18 per cent of total exports,” he said.

He said Pakistan’s share in the top five markets for agricultural goods is only 0.1 per cent, which suggests a potential for tremendous growth.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2012.