Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, convened with the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President to chart a course for boosting Pakistan’s agricultural exports. The discussion focused on enhancing cooperation between the Ministry and the private sector, emphasizing investment, value addition, and overcoming barriers to accessing international markets.
According to Press Information Department, the meeting underscored the Prime Minister’s directive to prioritize export growth, advocating for collaboration between government bodies and the business community to leverage the country’s agricultural export potential. The LCCI President proposed forming an Agriculture Committee within the Chamber to facilitate structured engagement on export-oriented commodities such as rice and livestock. The Chamber also expressed its readiness to support investment in agricultural research and development.
The Federal Minister identified rice, potatoes, and maize as key commodities with significant export potential. The meeting also highlighted sesame, castor bean oil, and dates as products for further development, aiming to connect agricultural surpluses with international markets like China, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. Effective exporter facilitation was deemed crucial to translating production surpluses into export opportunities.
Addressing the constraints faced by Pakistan’s meat exports due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), the Minister stressed the need for effective disease-control measures, including zoning, vaccination, and traceability systems. The meeting noted that inadequate FMD certification remains a barrier to accessing certain international meat markets.
Efforts to bolster testing and certification at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) were discussed, with a focus on aligning with international standards. Enhanced laboratory facilities and credible certification will be essential for ensuring Pakistani agricultural products meet technical and quality requirements of importing countries.
The establishment of the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA) and initiatives to improve seed quality were reviewed. The Minister emphasized developing an export-oriented regulatory framework to facilitate rather than hinder agricultural exports.
Investment in agricultural research and development was prioritized, with ongoing collaboration between the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) highlighted. The revival of Pakistan’s cotton sector through improved seed varieties and hybrid technologies was also discussed.
The Minister assured that fertilizer availability is stable, with efforts ongoing to maintain price stability and supply continuity. The importance of value addition in agricultural exports was emphasized, with sectors like dates and olive products identified for their potential in expanding market opportunities.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for a coordinated approach involving MNFSR and LCCI to promote agricultural exports, leveraging government facilitation, private-sector expertise, research, certification, and targeted market development. The proposed Agriculture Committee at LCCI is seen as a platform to address challenges and develop strategies for strengthening Pakistan’s agricultural market position internationally.