The support from the government to horticulture sector could lead to opening of new global markets for Pakistan in this important sector of economy. The experts from economy and Agri-sector said this while sharing their views with the participants during online public-private dialogue ‘Value addition and exports in horticulture sector’ organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), in coordination with Pakistan Business Council (PBC) here on Thursday. General Manager, Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company, Ministry of Commerce, Mr Sarfraz Iqbal, informed the participants that Covid-19 has negatively impacted supply chains in horticulture sector. However, he said, there is high demand abroad for health and nutrition foods which Pakistan needs to capture.
Mr Iqbal added further that while European Union has allowed import in their region through electronic documentation, Pakistan is trying to negotiate with other countries if our export can go there in a similar manner.
Chairperson, Pakistan Business Council (PBC), Syed Yawar Ali, while covering various aspects of the horticulture sector, opined that that uplift in horticulture requires immediate support from the government as we need to understand the developments taking place in genetics, technology, modern farm and food processing practices. “We need to bring large global horticulture companies to Pakistan to help our farmers and industry in upgradation,” Mr Ali and urged the government to embark on a 10-years longer term strategy for improving skills and incentives in this sector. Dr Vaqar Ahmed, Joint Executive Director, SDPI, while moderating the discussion underpinned the need for various government bodies to get involved in trade facilitation to look in to international evidence around innovations and information systems as well as reduction in information, marketing and distribution costs in the horticulture sector globally. He said that “the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) at Ministry of Commerce should have a focus on horticulture sector given the job creation potential of this sector.” Th government should invite local think tanks and experts to assess how various critical issues curtailing productivity may be addressed including rising input costs faced by the farmers, indirect taxes on inputs and farm operations, subsidies and support price benefits not reaching the smaller enterprises, he concluded.
