Pakistan agriculture exports hinge on a value addition push
Government, farmers agree on urgent need for modern storage, processing, and export systems to cut waste and boost Pakistan’s agricultural and fisheries exports.
A high-level meeting was chaired by Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, with a delegation of Kisan Ittehad to discuss key challenges and opportunities in Pakistan’s agricultural sector.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production, Capt(r) Saif Anjum, and the CEO of SMEDA, Ms. Nadia Jahangir Seth.
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Detailed discussions were held on agriculture, fruits and vegetables, their preservation, and export potential. The President of Kisan Ittehad highlighted that due to the lack of modern preservation and packaging facilities in Pakistan, a significant quantity of fruits and vegetables goes to waste. He further emphasized that the absence of food processing, packaging, value addition, and cold storage facilities remains a major bottleneck in the food sector.
Addressing the participants, Haroon Akhtar Khan stated that value addition and modern packaging play a pivotal role in enhancing exports of fruits and vegetables. He underscored that SMEDA will play an important role in equipping farmers and exporters with modern techniques and skills.
He further noted that the adoption of modern technology and advanced food processing techniques in the agricultural sector can significantly increase the value of products. Due to the lack of such facilities, substantial quantities of food and produce are wasted, causing financial losses to farmers.
Haroon Akhtar Khan reiterated that the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding value addition can lead to a significant boost in exports. He also stressed that improving cold chain infrastructure and increasing production capacity in the fisheries sector is the need of the hour.
He highlighted that investment in aquaculture technology and cold chain systems is essential for the development of the fisheries sector. Furthermore, he directed SMEDA to collaborate with Kisan Ittehad and relevant stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive policy and action plan.
Concluding the meeting, he emphasized that by ensuring strict quality control and establishing a strong export brand, Pakistan can achieve a prominent position in global agricultural and fisheries markets.