MULTAN: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam said on Monday that surplus stock of rice would be exported and new markets were being explored globally.
The country has stock of over eight million tonnes of rice, however, local consumption is nearly 3.5 million tonnes. He said this while talking to media-persons and addressing a ceremony at Agriculture University, here. Vice Chancellor Dr Asif Ali, President Pakistan Kissan Iteehad Khalid Khokhar were also present on this occasion.
Syed Fakhar Imam observed that he had discussed with Advisor on Commerce Abdur Razaq Dawood for exploration of new markets to export rice. The country is struggling hard to improve rice exports worth four billion dollars, said Fakhar. He also focused on value-addition of agriculture and livestock products especially milk. He hinted that Pakistan was seventh largest producer of milk in the country.
However, its value addition is only 30 percent. Value-addition of agricultural products could help earn huge foreign exchange, Fakhar remarked. Due to incumbent government’s efforts, the country’s per acre wheat production increased by one to two maund per acre.
During 12 years, it was around 30 maund per acre. Fakhar maintained that efforts were being done to improve per acre production of the wheat further. –Agencies
