‘Surplus rice to be exported’

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam said surplus stock of rice would be exported and new markets are being explored globally. The country has stock of over eight million tonnes of rice and the local consumption is nearly 3.5 million tonnes. The federal minister stated this while addressing a ceremony at Agriculture University in Multan. Vice Chancellor Dr Asif Ali, Pakistan Kissan Iteehad President Khalid Khokhar was also present on the occasion. “The country is struggling hard to improve its rice exports worth four billion dollars,” said Fakhar. During the address, he also focused on value-addition of agriculture and livestock products especially milk. He hinted that Pakistan was the 7th largest producer of milk in the country but its value addition is only 30%. He remarked that value-addition of agricultural products could help earn huge foreign exchange. Due to incumbent government's efforts, the country's per acre wheat production increased by one to two maund per acre. He further added that during 12 years, it was 30 maund per acre. Fakhar maintained that efforts were being done to improve per acre production of the wheat further. In case, government succeeds in enhancing two to three maund per acre further, which will be a very good addition in total production.   Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2021.

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