Pakistan has capacity to export Rice worth $ 4 billion claims BGA President
Friday, February 10th, 2012 6:04:04 by Wajahat Javed
Pakistan has capacity to export Rice worth $ 4 billion claims BGA President
Thursday, February 9, 2012: The President of Basmati Growers Association (BGA), Hamid Malhi, claimed that Pakistan has tremendous capacity to expand rice production. The president warned that if proper measures are taken the total
output can be increased drastically and the assets contribution in economy will reach the $ 4 billion mark, which currently stands at about $ 1 billion.
Speaking to Agriculture Journalists Association, Hamid said, “Rice has the potential to become a high value asset for Pakistan’s economy but nothing has been done to increase production. Production ranges between two to 2.6 million
tons, while we export around one million tons.”
Hamid continued the discussion and said that due to negligence the production capacity hasn’t increased in last few years, in fact if the trend continues the output may eventually start falling. The BGA president further said that
Farmer interest in cultivation is also low as prices have remained stagnant since 2008 and a downward trend is expected in 2012-13.
Hamid believes that the downfall in production is because of lack of research and innovation. The BGA president blamed public sector institutions for now bringing any innovation to the sector.
Referring to the only available variety in extra-long grain super basmati, which was introduced in 1996, he said, “No new high-yielding, extra-long grain variety has been introduced by public sector institutions.”
Pakistan is one of the largest producers of rice in the world. The country is the third biggest exporter of rice, to western countries. The Basmati rice of Pakistan is of the finest quality that is produced but the country is not
utilizing its full capacity at present.
India in comparison with Pakistan has seen their exports increased considerably. Hamid revealed the reason behind India’s success, he said, “India has been able to produce Basmati in areas that are categorised as “non-Basmati”
areas. Four per cent of India’s total Basmati production is carried out in Punjab while the rest is grown in areas that are not naturally conducive for Basmati production.”
Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=12285
Posted by Wajahat Javed
on Feb 10 2012. Filed under Business, Pakistan.
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