Islamabad: During a recent visit to the Department of Plant Protection, Federal Minister for Industries, Production, Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, emphasized the necessity of modernizing agricultural practices and enhancing plant protection measures to meet export targets and stabilize the economy. The Minister met with senior officers and stakeholders, discussing strategies to improve production quality and expand Pakistan’s export base, particularly in sectors such as Halal meat which is seeing rising demand globally.
According to Press Information Department, Minister Hussain addressed the urgent need to update agricultural management methods, which he noted have previously damaged the economy due to their inefficiency. He highlighted the critical role of the Department in fostering economic stability by increasing exports relative to imports. In his discussions, he assured stakeholders that their concerns would be addressed, including easing business operations to enhance performance levels.
Director General of the Department of Plant Protection, Tariq Khan, underscored the importance of avoiding European bans on Pakistani exports, a significant concern for the industry. He advocated for the digitization of the department and enhanced coordination through the Pakistan Single Window system to ensure transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, Minister Hussain called for the development of strategies to address global food security challenges and urged stakeholders to adopt transparent practices to achieve the desired economic outcomes. The meeting concluded with a commitment to improving the regulatory environment for fumigators, crucial for maintaining high-quality plant yield and export standards.
The session was attended by various industry representatives, including those from Crop Life Pakistan Association, the Rice Export Association of Pakistan, and the Customs Department, all of whom are pivotal in driving forward the national agenda for agricultural and economic reform.