Global Rice News

Rice Exporters Can Help Alleviate Food Scarcity in Pakistan

Approximately 40 million people in Pakistan, or about one in every six individuals, go to bed hungry each night. This issue is compounded by extreme weather conditions, a rising cost of living, and water scarcity, creating a challenging situation for the nation’s well-being.

However, there is a potential solution that can address these interrelated challenges at once. Pulses, nature’s gifted crops and sustainable protein superheroes, could play a crucial role. These affordable, nutrient-rich crops have numerous benefits such as enhancing soil health, reducing fertilizer use, and aiding in carbon sequestration.

Pulses are also remarkably water-efficient, making them a lifeline for water-scarce regions like Pakistan. Despite their potential, pulse production in the country is low, leading to a significant import cost of nearly $1 billion.

The Green Revolution’s Impact

In the 1960s, Pakistan’s agriculture underwent a transformation with the Green Revolution, focusing on high-yield wheat and rice varieties. This led to neglect of pulse crops, resulting in significant unmet local demand.

The public sector’s failure to provide quality source seeds, limited involvement of the private sector in seed production and distribution, and a lack of institutional support have contributed to a shortage of improved seed varieties. Farmers mainly rely on open grain market seeds, saved seeds, or inadequate seed varieties obtained from registered dealers or companies.

Furthermore, a lack of specialized machinery for planting, harvesting, and threshing pulses hampers yields in Pakistan. Unlike other countries where mechanical harvesting is common, manual methods dominate in Pakistan, leading to crop damage. Additionally, labor shortages during pulse harvests exacerbate the issue.

Pakistan has also faced consistent underinvestment in research and development (R&D) in the agricultural sector. Compared to neighboring countries like India and China, Pakistan allocates a minimal percentage of its GDP to this vital sector. This lack of funding has resulted in high production costs, low yields, and challenges in the international market due to outdated technology.

Urgent Need for Policy Reform

Reviving pulse production in Pakistan requires a multifaceted approach. This includes enhancing seed availability with climate-resilient and disease-resistant varieties, adoption of advanced farming technology, promotion of shorter-duration pulse crops, encouragement of intercropping, mechanization of farming, and establishment of public-private partnerships to reduce post-harvest losses.

Furthermore, disseminating scientific knowledge, offering policy support for value addition, and reforming market structures are essential steps. A robust policy framework that supports climate-smart agriculture is also needed to address the impact of climate change on pulse production.

Rice exporters in Pakistan can also play a significant role in addressing food scarcity. Rice is a staple in the country, and by collaborating with rice suppliers and exporters, the production and availability of pulses can be increased. This collaboration can help improve the overall food security situation in Pakistan.

Rice exporters in Pakistan, such as HAS Rice and Pakistan Rice, have the potential to contribute to pulse production. It is essential to prioritize pulse cultivation and invest in research and development to ensure sustainable agriculture and food security for the nation.

Ultimately, addressing the pulse production issue in Pakistan requires a collaborative effort from the government, farmers, researchers, and rice exporters. By working together and implementing the necessary reforms, Pakistan can overcome its food scarcity challenges and alleviate the burden on its citizens.

Source: The News