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Bumper Crop to Global Export– The Caretaker Minister for National Food Security and Research, Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik, has confirmed Pakistan’s substantial wheat supply and expressed the country’s readiness to export essential food items like wheat and rice. He assured that there would be no requirement to import of wheat due to the ample stock resulting from a bumper crop in the nation.
Speaking at the National Kissan Convention in Islamabad, Dr. Malik pledged the government’s commitment to implementing practical strategies aimed at strengthening wheat productivity and addressing productivity gaps in the sector. He underscored agriculture as the cornerstone of the nation’s economy and committed to swiftly overcoming any obstacles hindering its progress. Dr. Malik envisioned Pakistan evolving into an agriculture surplus country owing to its burgeoning production potential.
Reassuring farmers, Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik highlighted ongoing and relentless efforts to support the country’s farming community. He emphasized robust wheat sowing, covering 22.17 million acres, ensuring a substantial reserve, and confirmed that there is currently no immediate need for additional wheat imports. Addressing the urea crisis, he disclosed that 47,000 tons out of the required 200,000 tons had arrived in Karachi by December 20, successfully averting an imminent crisis. These announcements were made during the National Farmers Convention at the Jinnah Convention Center.
Dr. Malik stressed the urgency of rectifying storage mismanagement as a significant cause of fertilizer scarcity. He commended the collective efforts of provincial governments and specifically acknowledged the Pakistan Army’s involvement in addressing this National Food Security challenge. Dr. Malik also highlighted the high-energy and cost-intensive nature of chemical fertilizer production.
Additionally, Dr. Malik emphasized a record rice yield of 9.3 million tons this year, anticipating substantial revenue of approximately $3 billion from rice exports. He proudly noted Pakistan’s ascent to the 15th global position in agricultural exports, accumulating $207 million in the fiscal year and ranking as the 6th largest exporter.
Elaborating on the Ministry’s focus, Dr. Malik highlighted initiatives to rejuvenate income sources, particularly in revamping the poultry industry affected by soybean feed shortages. Collaborating with the Ministry of Climate Change, initiatives are underway to expedite the industry’s resurgence.
He unveiled plans for an extensive collaborative effort with provinces to boost soybean cultivation, accompanied by the formulation of a national seed policy encompassing biotech-enhanced seeds, poised to usher in a new era of agricultural development.
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The Ministry has initiated structured import and export lists for agricultural commodities and is actively training entities involved in these processes. Efforts are ongoing to restructure departments and enhance bilateral trade opportunities, aiming to integrate Animal Quarantine with Pakistan Single Window for streamlined livestock imports and exports. Additionally, initiatives are in place for environmental conservation through water conservation projects, canal lining, and the introduction of bio-pesticides.
Dr. Malik emphasized the need to overcome historical limitations in both government and the private sector’s investment in agriculture, aiming to double investments. He highlighted the significance of collaborative corporate farming as a transformative solution for over 80% of small-scale farmers lacking access to modern techniques and machinery, envisioning a renaissance in the agricultural sector through this approach.