Global Rice News

Sindh’s Rice: An Essential Contributor to Pakistan’s Exports

Sindh, a province in Pakistan, has been playing a pivotal role in the country’s export earnings, with its rice industry steadily growing over the years. Accounting for about 30 percent of Pakistan’s total rice production, Sindh is the primary producer of non-Basmati rice. In FY23, Pakistan exported a whopping 3.717 million tonnes of rice, earning a substantial $2.149 billion.

Despite facing various challenges such as devastating floods, currency depreciation, fierce competition from India, high freight charges, and vessel unavailability in the first half of 2022-23, the rice sector has showcased remarkable resilience. This success can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of the rice farmers and exporters in Sindh.

The export figures for Basmati rice stood at 595,120 tonnes, generating $650,423 at an average per tonne (APT) rate of $1,092. On the other hand, coarse or non-Basmati varieties experienced an export surge of 3.122 million tonnes, worth $1.498 billion at an APT rate of $480. In the preceding year, the country earned $2.5 billion through the export of 4.8 million tonnes of rice.

During the period, Sindh witnessed significant setbacks due to floods and torrential rains. The paddy crops in Sindh and South Punjab districts were severely damaged, resulting in an overall crop loss of approximately 20 percent. Sindh alone faced a staggering 35 percent loss of the rice crop.

Syed Mumtaz Shah, a researcher at the Sindh Rice Research Institute, revealed that rice cultivation covers 2.5 million hectares, accounting for 10.9 percent of the total arable land. The province successfully produces 5.1 million tonnes of milled rice, contributing significantly to both the regional and national food requirements.

Rice serves multiple roles within Sindh’s agrarian economy. Firstly, it stands as the second staple food after wheat, fulfilling the national food demand by contributing more than 2.0 million tonnes. Secondly, the rice industry serves as a vital source of employment and income for the rural population. Lastly, it plays a crucial role in boosting the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Pakistan boasts diverse climatic and edaphic conditions suitable for rice cultivation. The traditional rice varieties, especially Basmati, dominate in certain regions, while other areas like Swat (zone 1) witness the growth of temperate Japonica rice in high-altitude mountain valleys. The south of NWFP, Sindh, and Balochistan (zones 3 and 4) cultivate IRRI type long-grain heat-tolerant tropical rice.

Several districts in Sindh, including Badin, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Qamber, Thatta, Dadu, and Tando Muhammad Khan, play a significant role in rice production. This thriving industry provides employment opportunities to hundreds of thousands of workers, including entrepreneurs from the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector. The rice business has now evolved into a modernized sector, contributing $2 billion in exports, with the volume steadily increasing. However, millers believe it is essential for the rice industry to be recognized as an official industry in Sindh.

Taimur Chohan, a rice miller based in Sindh, highlights that although wheat remains the staple crop, rice is gaining popularity as a condiment or fast food. Despite the significant impact of floods and droughts on the agricultural sector, including rice, Sindh has successfully managed to produce enough rice to meet domestic consumption needs and bolster the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

Source: [Nation](https://www.nation.com.pk){:target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”}