Pakistan eyes boost in agricultural exports through value addition

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Haroon Akhtar Khan on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting with a delegation of Kisan Ittehad to discuss opportunities and challenges in Pakistan’s agricultural sector.

The meeting, attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production Capt. (r) Saif Anjum and CEO of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) Nadia Jahangir Seth, focused on enhancing the preservation, processing, and export potential of fruits, vegetables, and fisheries, according to a news release.

During the discussions, the president of Kisan Ittehad highlighted that the lack of modern preservation, packaging, and cold storage facilities leads to substantial wastage of agricultural produce, limiting export potential and causing financial losses to farmers.

Addressing the delegation, Haroon Akhtar Khan emphasized that value addition and modern packaging are crucial to increasing exports of fruits and vegetables. He underscored SMEDA’s role in equipping farmers and exporters with contemporary techniques and skills to boost product quality and market competitiveness.

The SAPM noted that adopting advanced food processing technologies could substantially enhance the value of agricultural products while minimizing waste. He also stressed the need to improve cold chain infrastructure and expand production capacity in the fisheries sector, calling for investment in aquaculture technology and related systems.

Haroon directed SMEDA to work closely with Kisan Ittehad and other stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive policy and actionable plan for the sector. He emphasized that ensuring strict quality control and establishing a strong export brand would enable Pakistan to secure a prominent position in global agricultural and fisheries markets.

This meeting aligns with the prime minister's vision of leveraging value addition and modern technology to strengthen Pakistan’s agricultural exports and enhance the livelihoods of farmers nationwide.