Agriculture Export Grows as Dr. Kausar Enhances Aflatoxin Control
Published on: January 25, 2024.
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ISLAMABAD – A dialogue on regulatory harmonization in Pakistan for Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) and Biopesticides was held at a local hotel, where Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik, Minister for National Food Security and Research, emphasized the importance of aflatoxin control in increasing Pakistan’s agricultural exports. The event was organized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Center of Agriculture and BioScience International (CABI), Pakistan Agriculture and Research Council (PARC), and USAID.
Dr Kausar highlighted the significance of using biofertilizers and organic fertilizers instead of conventional fertilizers, stating that conventional nitro-based fertilizers are expensive and have harmful effects on the environment. He mentioned the National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy, which is currently awaiting approval from the cabinet.
Ms Jessica Mudjitaba-Fernandez, Program Manager at USDA, emphasized the need for collaboration in tackling the challenges posed by aflatoxin contamination. She acknowledged Pakistan’s first registration in South Asia with USDA and the forthcoming Statuary Regulatory Order (SRO) for Pakistan. Collaboration among USDA, CABI, PARC, and the private sector can lead to effective strategies for aflatoxin control and ensure the safety and quality of agricultural products in Pakistan.
The agriculture sector plays a significant role in Pakistan’s GDP and employment, contributing 22.9% to GDP and generating 37.4% of employment in the country. Aflatoxin and parasite residue present hurdles in both domestic and international trade. To address this, a joint working group was formed in 2018, consisting of officials from CABI, PARC, USDA, and USAID. The group has supported the establishment of Pakistan’s first Aflatoxin Biocontrol Laboratory at the Crop Research Institute, NARC, Islamabad.
Keith Metzner from USAID acknowledged the longstanding cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in the agricultural sector, particularly in the cultivation of wheat and maize. He emphasized the need to enhance food safety mechanisms to boost agricultural exports from Pakistan. Babar Ehsan Bajwa, CABI’s Senior Regional Director in Asia, expressed gratitude to all participants for their active engagement in the dialogue and their genuine interest in ensuring food safety and implementing biological control measures for aflatoxin.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman of PARC, emphasized the importance of aflatoxin control in bolstering export potential and safeguarding public health. He highlighted PARC’s ongoing efforts in developing biological control methods for aflatoxin in various crops such as chillies, maize, rice, and groundnuts.
Source: [The Nation](https://www.nation.com.pk)
