Sindh has adequate wheat stock to meet existing demand

Sindh province has adequate wheat stock to meet the existing demand till the arrival of next crop, traders said on Monday. Talking to Business Recorder they said that presently Sindh has some 0.113 million tons wheat stock in its godowns and recently the Sindh food department has also issued delivery orders of over 100,000 tons wheat quota to flour mills across the province. This quota will be sufficient for next 15 days.
"New wheat crop is almost ready in several parts of Sindh and regular supply is likely to arrive in next few days as harvesting has already begun in some districts", said Hashim Sharja Wala, a leading wheat trader. There is neither panic nor wheat crisis in the market as sufficient wheat stock is available in the province. Even wheat grain prices are stable at Rs 39,000 per ton from last one month, he added.
Presently, wheat is being traded at Rs 39,000 to Rs 39,250 per ton in open market, while Sindh food department is supplying commodity to flour mills at a price of Rs 30,000 per ton, he mentioned. With the arrival of new crop, wheat grain prices in the domestic market are likely to face a drastic cut in next few weeks; he said and added that wheat harvesting has started in some parts of the province, where wheat crop is ready. However, arrival will increase after harvesting and thrashing in the belt of Dadu and MirpurKhas, Hashim mentioned.
He said that some trucks of new wheat crop have also arrived in the market and commodity was traded at Rs 35,000 per ton, due to some moisture. "We are expecting wheat prices will decline to Rs 35,000 in next 10 day, when proper supply of new wheat crop will begin", Hashim said.
Sindh government has planned to procure some 1.3 million tons this year to build its strategic reserves and Sindh food department has taken several steps to avoid any speculation in the market.Sindh government may impose an inter-district ban on wheat movement aimed to complete its procurement, he added.
"Presently, prices are higher than wheat support price of Rs 1200 per maund or Rs 30,000 per ton, but I m sure that wheat prices will gradually decline after arrival of new crop in the market and price is expected to be around Rs 30,000 to Rs 31,000 per ton by the end of this month", Hashim said.
Talking about the Thar famine, he said, this is only due to mismanagement and distribution/ transportation issues and there is no shortage of commodity in province. He said that as per food department they have distributed over thousands of wheat bags among masses of Thar in the last three days.
He said that during the last crop season, Sindh has failed to achieve its procurement target and some 1.05 million ton wheat was procured as against target of Rs 1.3 million tons. However this year, wheat procurement target will be achieved as Sindh will have a bumper wheat crop.
Akhtar Hussian, a leading flour miller, said that presently mills are getting some 300 bag per day from food department and there is no wheat crisis in the province. He said that new crop will arrive in the market from March 15 and after that stock position will further improve.

Source: Business Recorder

Wheat output likely to remain below projected target this year

Pakistan's wheat production is anticipated to stay regarding twenty four.5 to twenty five million tons this year, which is 0.25-0.75 million tons wanting the projected target of twenty five.25 million tons, Ministry of National Food Security and analysis officers aforementioned.

A senior official of the Ministry of National Food Security and analysis told Business Recorder, here on Wed that Asian nation is in an exceedingly position to supply bumper wheat crop this year however it depends on atmospheric condition in March: if the temperature remains average the country's wheat output is anticipated to cross twenty five million tons, however if temperature is on top of the common for the year wheat output is probably going to stay twenty four.5 million tons.

"This year wheat growers have brought nearly twenty one million acres underneath wheat cultivation, that is sort of one thousand thousand acres but the past year. In arid areas, a decline within the space underneath wheat cultivation, low tide provides and fertiliser shortages square measure probably to cut back the wheat production, however on national level we tend to predict a healthy wheat crop", the officers aforementioned.

"In Rabi season we've got 2 major crops wheat and gram, wheat production is probably going to cross twenty five million tons if atmospheric condition stay favourable, whereas gram production is anticipated to be 550,000 tons this year against set target of 600,000 tons" he added . Gram is especially cultivated in Bhakkar, Layyah, Khushab and Mianwali districts, whereas wheat is being cultivated across the country tho' geographical region is that the major wheat manufacturing province, followed by Sind and KPK.

"Pakistan wants around 900,000 loads of gram to feed its population on low-cost macromolecule, however the country is at the present manufacturing solely 550,000 loads of gram. within the past, Asian nation was manufacturing nearly 800,000 loads of gram pulse. Even in worst-weather years, the gram production was ne'er less than 5 maunds per acre. sadly throughout the past few years it absolutely was solely two.5 maunds per acre. however and why did the yield call in over seventy % at intervals a matter of few years nobody knows", Abraham Mughal Chairman Agri-Forum Asian nation aforementioned.

Mughal aforementioned the case could improve slightly if water and fertiliser handiness improves adding that at the present a bag of carbamide is obtainable at Rs one,900 to Rs two,000, that 3 years back was obtainable at Rs 800 per bag. the assembly value of various crops has increased  manifold throughout past few years and farmers square measure unable to buy necessary inputs to extend yield. Farmers have planted wheat over a locality of very little over eight.5 million hectares this year, down from nine.13 million hectares last year once the country created a bumper crop of regarding twenty three.8 million loads of wheat, Mughal aforementioned.

Source: Business Recorder 

Agriculture sector opposes granting NDMA/MFN status to India

The Agriculture Task Force (ATF) of Pakistan-India Joint Business Forum (PIJBF) is vehemently opposition granting Non-Discriminatory Market Access/Most Favoured Nation (NDMA/MFN) to Asian country at this stage.

President, Farmers Associates West Pakistan (FAP) and Co-Chair of Agriculture Task force, PIJBF, Tariq Bucha in an exceedingly letter sent to the federal commerce minister has highlighted that agriculture sector, that is far and away the largest leader within the country, flatly opposes granting NDMA/MFN to Asian country until correct preparations are completed on our facet to guard our sectors from huge Indian subsidies, and find important market access from Asian country for Pakistani merchandise, to make sure the amount enjoying field as per the need ordered down within the cupboard call of bissextile day, 2012.

Unnecessary haste with that the govt of West Pakistan is continuing to open Wagah border and to over 137 things before Asian country lowers its agriculture tariffs and removes every kind of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) and healthful and Phyto healthful (SPS) barriers that are undermining our negotiating leverage and position. "For Agriculture turn out and product, Wagah route can't be opened any longer, till a separate bilateral agri-trade agreement is negotiated involving stakeholders together with FAP, and is finalised and signed, supported associate impartial and freelance study for that purpose," he said.

Moreover, he said, SAFTA doesn't apply absolutely to the complexities concerned underneath the World Trade Organization regime with relevance agriculture. it's a 15-page agreement with incomplete annexes, and needs important and severe redefining, restructuring and amendments with careful neutral input and approval, just in case it contemplates agri trade between the countries owing to huge current and future subsidies given to agriculture in Asian country that ar an indicator of unfair trade.

Nowhere will the SAFTA agreement need West Pakistan to terminate its sensitive list in 5 years. "Pakistan's agriculture sector vehemently opposes any longer phasing out of agricultural things from the sensitive list. we've got scan the SAFTA Agreement rigorously, and apprehend that there's no such categorical demand. Any reductions created on the sensitive list ar discretionary, and despite the fact that a review of the list is needed each four years, a 'review' doesn't need a discount in it," he declared.

Within the ASEAN regime, that may be a way more sturdy FTA than SAFTA, as an example, there ar things that stay for good on a "highly sensitive list", he said, adding that any representatives of the govt of West Pakistan United Nations agency agrees to needless reductions of the sensitive list should apprehend that they'd be doing therefore with none legal demand, and would be violating the principle of keeping tier enjoying field that was set down within the aforesaid cupboard call, within the wake of the big subsidies given by the Indian government.

He steered that to effectively counter the big subsidies on agriculture before gap Wagha and granting NDMA/MFN to Asian country, the govt of West Pakistan should initial place in situ tariff rate quotas per crop that equal the grant given to every crop on the Indian facet, to make sure tier enjoying field. "The on top of steps should be verified by FAP, representing the agri-sector. Once that's done, we tend to may move forward on negotiating a separate agri-trade agreement for bilateral trade with Asian country," he added.

It has been discovered within the letter that granting NDMA means Wagah ought to still be closed to all or any Indian merchandise, as a result of no different country's merchandise comes through Wahga. "Therefore, if all merchandise are restricted from Wagah, that might accommodates Non-Discriminatory Market Access. By granting Wagah access to over 137 Asian countryn merchandise would quantity to granting India even additional favourable terms than needed by a grant of NDMA/MFN. Granting Wagah access to over the present agriculture things can considerably weaken Pakistan's economy, and already beleaguered agriculture sector," he said.

Tariq declared that Congress Party is probably going to lose within the coming elections in {india|India|Republic of Asian country|Bharat|Asian country|Asian nation} thus the agriculture sector powerfully opposes granting NDMA/MFN to India notably once the new Indian government is merely few months away and will lift any concessions that ar given to West Pakistan by the outgoing Congress government. 'At this juncture, National Tariff Commission (NTC) doesn't nevertheless have the capability or provisions to effectively counter unfair trade practices like the anticipated selling and significant subsidisation of agricultural merchandise by the Indian facet,' he said.

Before giving any longer trade concessions to the Indian facet, he same the Ministry of Commerce should demonstrate that the NTC has the power, capability and therefore the powers to effectively defend Pakistan's agriculture from the anticipated onslaught of unfair Indian trade practices of selling and significant subsidization. "Since 2011, the Ministry of Commerce has acknowledged that the NTC lacks such capability, and nevertheless the NTC has not visibly improved. The Ministry of Commerce thus cannot in sensible conscience open Wagah or to over 137 things before it may build a strong NTC'.

Concluding Tariq same, though the agriculture sector isn't loth to trade with Asian country in an exceedingly structured, phased and effectively negotiated agreement, we tend to feel that the govt of West Pakistan has so far did not improve the capability of its establishments or place in provisions to afford required protection to its domestic sectors, to assist survive the anticipated onslaught of Indian agricultural turn out and product. 'Thus, till such time that the govt of West Pakistan demonstrates that it's serious concerning safeguarding Pakistan's domestic agriculture from unfair competition, we'll oppose any move for granting NDMA/MFN and additional gap of Wagah'.

Source Business Recorder 

Pakistan participates in Fruit Logistica-2014 Fair in Berlin

As many as 13 Pakistani companies participated in the world's leading international fresh produce trade fair, Fruit Logistica-2014, this year in Berlin that ended on Saturday. Pakistani exhibitors were optimistic of substantial increase in export of fresh produce from Pakistan as they made good contacts with the international buyers of fruit and vegetable products.
Buyers from Russia showed keen interest in Pakistani potatoes whereas Pakistani mangoes have also made inroads into EU market with increase in shelf life through better processing technology and other corrective measures. Earlier, Pakistan Ambassador to Germany Abdul Basit visited Pakistan Pavilion along with Commercial Counsellor, Dr Erfa Iqbal and met with Pakistani exhibitors.
He also held a meeting with the delegation of mango growers and exporters of Pakistan, who put up their stalls under the umbrella of UNIDO and the USAID. Both the organisations are running projects of increasing income through improvement of quality and better yield and generating additional employment's in the major mango-growing areas of South Punjab and Northern Sind.
The Ambassador said the world's leading trade fair provides great opportunity for promotion, development and marketing of fresh fruit and vegetable products. He emphasised the need of intensive interaction between farmers and exporters to up-grade the quality and increase yield of fresh products. He said there is a growing market for Pakistani fruits, especially mangoes and Kinnow/mandarin. Pakistani exporters should give due importance to fruit processing and packaging for longer preservation of these perishable products, he added.
He urged the traders to spend sufficient amount of their income on research and development, which is essential to keep pace with the ever changing market trends. The exhibitors expressed their satisfaction over the arrangements made by the Commercial Section of the Pakistan Embassy and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. About 2,566 including 2,311 foreign exhibitors from 84 countries presented a comprehensive overview of all levels of fruit and vegetable production and marketing and more than 58,000 trade visitors from 130 countries visited the exhibition and made business contacts besides a large number of general public/end consumers.

Source: Business Recorder

US launches new mobile project for farmers, fishermen in KPK

The United States, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), launched a new pilot project to introduce mobile enabled advisory and financial services for peach and potato farmers and fishermen in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
As a result of this project, over 1,700 small and medium sized farms and 15,000 people in Swat will gain access to mobile banking.  With information and financing more readily available, farmers can learn practices to increase their crop yields, gain increased access to markets, and conduct efficient and safe financial transactions. “This pilot initiative will provide a platform to establish the basis and modalities for the promotion of mobile enabled advisory and financial services in the agriculture sector, starting with the peach, potato and fisheries sectors of Swat,” said USAID’s Mission Director Gregory Gottlieb at the Islamabad event.  “As the economic return from offering these services to remote farmers is calculated, it will promote the sustainability of continued support for farmers that can potentially lead to a reduction in wastage and higher prices and an increase in access to new markets,” he added.
Shahi Rome, a peach farmer from Swat said, “We need weather updates in order to be informed about possible rain or hail storms so we can decide in time when to spray and irrigate. Through timely information my efforts and investment will not be wasted.” Working in partnership with USAID through its Firms Project, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will provide advisory and market information, and Telenor Pakistan – one of the largest telecom service providers in Pakistan – will provide technological assistance for the mobile service. USAID Mission Director Gregory Gottlieb,
Minister for Agriculture and Information Technology, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahram Khan Tarrakai, Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Syed Ismail Shah and Director and Head of Products & Financial Services, Telenor Pakistan, Khurram Malik attended the launch of the pilot project and spoke at the event.
The initial phase of the project will test the commercial viability of private sector enterprises, including multinational corporations, to launch similar services in other sectors and regions of Pakistan. USAID’s Firms Project is part of a comprehensive US economic growth assistance programme which includes expanding irrigation by 200,000 acres to spur farming near Gomal Zam and Satpara Dams, and increasing the incomes of 250,000 farmers and female agricultural workers through training and increased access to market networks, which allows them to earn more for the crops that they grow.

Source: The Nation

Pakistan becomes third largest exporter of dates

Pakistan has become the third largest country in the world that is exporting dates to the rest of the world and with proper attention and appropriate interventions this sector can flourish manifold. The date sector offers substantial opportunities for export, income and employment generation in addition to economic growth of the country, said an official of Ministry of Commerce and Textile while talking to APP here on Friday.
The annual production of dates in Pakistan is estimated at around 535,000 tonnes of which only 86,000 tonnes are exported and the rest are either consumed locally or perish, he informed.

Chief Executive Officer Harvest Trading Ahmad Jawad told media that Pakistani dates exports could be raised to $200 million from the current $28 million with proper processing and packaging. Since 1999, per acre yield of dates in Pakistan did not increase much, whereas world-wide production increased by 166 percent, he added.
Highlighting the problems, the CEO said the country lacked storage facilities and so exported some quantity of dates while the rest perish. Thus due to these problems the country had to import dates during the month of Ramzan. “Importers of dates such as Germany, Denmark, India, Nepal, USA, UK, Afghanistan and Canada are re-exporting Pakistani dates after quality enhancement and preparation of by-products, at a price that is four to six times higher than their import price,” said Jawad.
“Of the 300 varieties of dates produced in Pakistan, Begam Jangi of Balochistan, Aseel of Sindh and Dhakki of Dera Ismail Khan are the varieties which are sought after the world over due to their exotic taste,” said Jawad. He further said that dates could fetch many more millions of dollars if focus was given to value addition such as the use of dates in preparing date sweets, jams, chocolates and other products.
Even the damaged crop is used for medical purposes and date oil is fit for use in cosmetics. He maintained that the usage of dates increases during the winter season thus its price and demand surge. Another report by the USAID revealed that lack of awareness about the best farming practices, improper fruit handling techniques, and an absence of developed processing facilities are major constraints inhibiting profitable date production in Pakistan. Ghulam Farid, a date farm owner stated that usually the harvest season of dates starts in July in upper Sindh during the monsoon season; they remain safe due to lack of rain in these areas during harvesting.

^{Source: Business Recorder}

Investment in agriculture seed market can boost economy

Pakistan's agriculture seed market is worth almost $ 1500 million and it has huge potential and opportunities for investors. DG Federal Seed Certification & Registration, Syed Muhammad Nasir Ali expressed these views while talking to APP here on Sunday. He said that investment in agriculture seed and supply of certified seed was important not only to boost agriculture sector but also overall economy of the country.
He said the value of seed produced in Pakistan was $ 500 million while the value of imported seed was $ 300 million which showed a market gap for investment of $ 700 million. He said certified seed availability of major crops in Pakistan was just 20 per cent while authorities had set a target for certified seed availability of 30 percent for the next year.
He said the share of the public sector in seed availability was 22 per cent while private sector's share was 78 per cent.
He said that there were four public sector seed organisations while five multinational seed companies and 789 national seed companies were operating in the private sector.

Source: Business recorder

Engro Foods enters fresh dairy segment

Engro Foods Limited, the fastest growing Pakistani multinational company entered the fresh dairy industry of Pakistan with their new brand "Mabrook". The company's objective is to tap into the dominant Fresh Loose Milk segment using the pasteurisation process.
'Mabrook' offers all the benefits of Fresh Milk, ie consistent cream (balai) yield, value in usage (yogurt, butter, ghee, direct consumption, etc) and daily fresh supply of milk at Mabrook shops. Keeping the Loose milk consumer insights into view, the milk is sold through milk outlets and is dispensed hygienically to ensure that the best possible quality product reaches the consumer. Speaking at the occasion, Sarfaraz A Rehman, CEO, Engro Foods said: "Out of 20 billion liters of tradable milk in Pakistan, the unbranded fresh dairy holds almost 74 percent for the share in the industry. We wanted to tap into that category and offer a value-added product to this key segment of the Pakistani market--living our purpose of elevating consumer delight for a wide section of the society.
Although we are selling our product through milk outlets, the product is backed by our commitment to quality excellence--a fact visible through our local and international certifications. We are hopeful that Mabrook with its unique proposition and better quality will offer a more economic and healthy choice to our consumers." Mabrook is Engro's response to the loose milk consumers' need for fresh, clean and unadulterated milk; bringing a product that is affordable while delivering quality and staying true to its offering.

Courtesy Business Recorder  I News Collated by agrinfobank.com

Gas provision to fertilizer plants to help save foreign exchange: FMPAC

Fertilizer Manufacturers Pakistan Advisory Council (FMPAC) said government can save precious foreign exchange on account of urea import if it provides gas to local fertilizer manufacturer plants. Urea import is no permanent solution of rising urea demand by local fertilizer sector and best way to ensure less expensive and timely availability of urea to farmers is to produce it locally.
FMPAC spokesman said here on Thursday that few fertilizer plants were completely shutdown due to closure of gas as part of winter gas load management plan by the government but there was no shortage of urea in the market. Spokesman demanded if any vested interest was found involved in hoarding, government should take stern action against them to ensure timely availability of urea to farmers at the prescribed rates.
He said local fertilizer plants had been trying to persuade the government to maximise the local urea production to avoid spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year on urea import and if government decided not to import urea, "we have ample capacity not only to meet the domestic urea requirements but also to export it."
FMPAC sources said "our economy is not in a position to drain precious foreign exchange on unnecessary urea import while we can produce it locally at relatively cheaper cost. The devaluation in rupee's value and appreciation in dollar's value has already made it an expensive affair." Country faced massive loss in urea production due to excessive gas curtailment in the past three years that has cost significantly to the country as GoP had to spend foreign exchange of US $1.5 billion and subsidy of around Rs 80 billion on the imports of 3.4 million tons during 2010-12.
Pakistan is self-sufficient in urea production and with consistent gas supply to these plants, government can ensure timely availability of this key farm input to farmers at the cost-effective rates and would also help GoP to reduce its fiscal deficit as well as subsidy spend.

Courtesy Business Recorder I  News Collated by agrinfobank.com

Pakistan among top Asian states in illicit tobacco consumption

Pakistan is among top Asian countries in the consumption of illicit tobacco with highest number of 21.8 billion illicit cigarettes consumed in the country annually. Referring to a 'Asia-11 Illicit Tobacco Indicator 2012' study by Oxford Economics, experts said on Monday that the figures and data has been mentioned in the said study.
In the reporting year, the domestic illicit use was 18.8 billion cigarettes, whereas the non-domestic consumption of illicit cigarettes stands at 3 billion, which is much lower than the domestic use. The non-duty paid cigarettes contribute to rise in tobacco consumption by making cigarettes cheaper and more accessible. This makes it more attractive, especially to people who are price sensitive, such as youth and the poor. It also allows cigarettes to be sold as singles instead of packs, or from non-regulated outlets that make it more accessible to youth.
On the other hand the study indicates that the countries with a sharp rise in taxes on legal tobacco brands than the countries with low taxes have the high ratio of illicit consumption.
Heavy taxation on the legal tobacco brands (high tax paying industry) is ultimately promoting the illicit tobacco industry thus allowing criminals and opportunists to get a chance to sell their counterfeit products on cheap rates, which attracts the customers with low purchasing power.
The main factors contributing to the problem include an unbalanced fiscal policy, heavy taxation, protectionist policy measures, corruption, weak enforcement, lack of official controls in free zones, inadequate legislation and sanctions, growth in illegal distribution networks and public tolerance of the illicit trade in tobacco products.
According to the Oxford Economics study, due to illicit tobacco trade, Pakistan loses tax revenues of over Rs 27 billion per year.
Recently, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has initiated an advertisement campaign in the media to create awareness about the illegal and smuggled tobacco brands. It is an encouraging effort but the FBR should focus more on developing a comprehensive enforcement strategy to curb illegal tobacco trade, they said.
The sale and purchase of smuggled Pine and other smuggled packs including Esse, Mild 88, More, Camel and Sense are illegal and attract penalties of confiscation of cigarettes, fine of up to Rs 50, 000, recovery equal to 500 per cent of unpaid taxes and imprisonment up to five years. The FBR's agency has launched many similar campaigns against illicit cigarette brands, especially against Pine, which is in high demand amongst Pakistani smokers because it is an imported brand easily available at below the minimum price set by the FBR at Rs 34 for a pack of 20.'Cricket' is a recent example of a duty-evading cigarette brand that is being sold at Rs 12. This also raises the question how the brand was being sold even below the minimum excise duty, which stands at Rs 17.6 per pack and should be payable to the national exchequer.
If the government is serious in curbing this illegitimate business, it needs to develop comprehensive anti-illicit trade policies and pay particular attention to the involvement of all relevant government agencies like Customs, Ministries of Finance, Health, Justice and Trade, to ensure alignment and commitment to achieving the same goals, they added.

News Source     I News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team

Spices export falls 31.2 percent in July-October

The country''s spices export fell 31.2 percent during July-October 2013-14 to $13.531 million as compared to the commodity''s export of $19.666 million in the same period last fiscal year, official figures say. The fall in term of volume totalled $6.135 million in the first four months of the current fiscal year, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) said. The quantity of spices export declined by 1302 metric tons or 25 percent to 3,943 metric tons in July-October 2013-14 from 5,245 metric tons in the same period last fiscal year, PBS added.

News Source      I                News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team

Comprehensive plan being pursued for farmers' welfare: Zaman

Provincial Minister for Irrigation Mian Yawar Zaman said Federal and provincial governments of PML-N are pursuing a comprehensive strategy for the welfare of farmers. He said flat rate of electricity has been given for tube wells to the farmers of Punjab by Federal and provincial governments which reflects farmers-friendly policies of the government. He said all Commissioners and DCOS would be directed to eliminate hoarding and profiteering of fertilisers and set up complaint cell in every district for redressing complaints of farmers. He said provision of fertilizers at government rate would be ensured at every cost.
He said this while presiding over a high level meeting in connection with holding dialogues with a representative delegation of Kissan Ittehad about prices of wheat, sugar cane and fertilisers at Irrigation Secretariat here on Saturday. Provincial Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed, MPA Malik Abbas Raan, Secretary Food Punjab Aslam Kamboh, Cane Commissioner Punjab Ahmad Malik, MD National Fertiliser Company, Kissan Ittehad leaders Malik Khalid Khokhar, Mian Farooq and other representatives attended the meeting. Kissan Ittehad leaders presented their demands regarding prices of sugar cane and fertilisers. They demanded that prices of wheat and sugar cane be increased whereas prices of fertiliser should be reduced. They further demanded that the role of middleman in the sale and purchase of fertilisers be eliminated so that farmers and common man could directly benefit from the subsidy of Rs 30 billion given by the government for the provision of fertilisers.
Addressing the meeting, Provincial Agriculture Minister Dr Farrukh Javed said in consultation with the Kissan Ittehad leaders, the prices of sugar cane, deduction in weight and timely payment to the farmers would be ensured. Secretary Food Aslam Kamboh told the meeting that strict instructions have been issued to sugar mills with regard to the prices of sugar cane, deduction in weight and timely payment to the farmers. He said sugar mills have made record payments to the farmers this year. He told the meeting that instructions have been issued to DCOs of all districts in this regard. The meeting decided that a report would be submitted to Federal Government in consultation with farmers and other stakeholders with regard to cost of wheat, its production and price of wheat as fixing of wheat prices is the responsibility of Federal Government. The meeting also decided that the decision with regard to re-fixation of sugar cane price will be taken after consultation with stakeholders and other provinces.

News Source      I                News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team

Government urged to form agriculture development board

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) former senior vice president Abdul Basit on Saturday stressed the need to take effective measures to ensure food security in the country. While talking to Business Recorder, Abdul Basit touched upon many areas where the government attention is direly needed but his focus was agriculture sector about which he spoke flawlessly and fearlessly. His suggestion about formation of Agriculture Development Board (ADB) was quite impressive and workable.
He said that it was a happy sign that the PM had constituted Business and Agriculture Advisory Committees to overcome the challenges being faced by the two sectors and optimism is being expressed that things would take a positive turn sooner than later. "But I would request the government that instead of reinventing the wheel through such an exercise, the government should constitute ADB on the pattern of Engineering Development Board (EDB) that is an apex body under Ministry of Industries and Production entrusted to strengthen engineering base in Pakistan," he said.
He mentioned that the EDB has seven government members and 14 private members including two top academicians having related experience and in my view, the ADB should primarily consist of 25 members including top agriculturists from all the provinces, renowned businessmen, vice chancellors of agriculture universities and secretaries of all related government departments.
The proposed ADB should be tasked to review all existing agriculture policies in the country, hold discussions with recognised related private sector bodies before giving final recommendations for implementation. Why all this should be done? He questioned. It is needed to save our agriculture sector that is facing multiple internal and external challenges, he added.
Very recently all of us saw a sudden and unprecedented hike in the prices of almost all vegetables but nobody noticed that what went wrong and what is the remedy? In my opinion, the decision to allow imports of vegetables from India was a deep rooted and well calculated conspiracy against the local farmers, he said. All this is result of our wrong planning because while allowing import of vegetables from India we ignored our farming sector.
He said that recently I was in India and surprised to know that their agriculture sector was exempt from load shedding while industrial sector and domestic users are subjected to load shedding. Indians understand well that the industry can be run on generators while a farmer cannot afford generator. So they are ensuring their food security and we have failed to do so, he maintained. The LCCI former senior vice president also spoke on education and severely criticised mushroom growth of private education institutions in the country. He said that the government educational institutions should be strengthened to deliver quality education.

News Source   I  News Collected : agrinfobank.com Team

Australian consultants call on Secretary TDAP

The Consultants of Australian Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture Peter Hofman, & Peter Johnson had a meeting with Rabiya Javeri Agha, Secretary Trade Development Authority Pakistan (TDAP) on December 2nd, 2013 along with Mahmood Nawaz Shah, Director, Sindh Mango Growers Association, the consultants apprised the Secretary, TDAP about their working on behalf of Australia and helping the Government of Sindh in 3 sectors namely Mango, Citrus and Dairy under the ASLP, Agri Sector Linkage Programme.
The consultants informed that the test shipment of Mango of Sindh was made under the programme using controlled atmosphere technology, to UK to the Tesco Retail Company in 6 containers, which took almost 30 days from the picking / shipping to the retail level, leaving 7 clear days to the retailer to market the product - whereas in normal, regular by air shipment, the retailer has only 24 to 48 hours before the product perishes.
It was also informed that UK buyers plan to visit the Mango growers in the month of January, 2014 in order to finalise arrangements for Mango shipments to UK in the forthcoming season.-PR

News Source: Business Recorder   News Collected : agrinfobank.com Team

ZTBL's business virtually paralysed?

Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited''''s official business is virtually paralysed due to the absence of a Board of Directors (BoD) after Islamabad High Court issued stay order against its members, well-informed sources told Business Recorder. The new Board is to be reconstituted by the Finance Ministry; but the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) recently turned down ZTBL''''s request to extend the deadline for submission of financial accounts due to non-existence of BoD.
"The bank''''s request cannot be acceded to and ZTBL is advised to convene a BoD meeting for approving third quarter financial statements for publication and submission to SBP in terms of BSD circular number 1 of January 7, 2004... (as) according to section 177 of the Companies Ordinance 1984, the retiring directors may continue to perform their functions until their successors are elected," the SBP ruled in a letter dated 5 November 2013.
The ZTBL management has neither complied with the SBP directive nor has it advised its directors or its regulator the reasons for non-compliance. However, officials in the finance ministry appear to be well aware of this controversy and the ensuing disarray in ZTBL''''s affairs.
On June 14, 2010, the then Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, had reconstituted the ZTBL Board for an indefinite period. The Board reconstituted by Gilani was as follows: (i) Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf, President/CEO; (ii) Iftikhar Khan Mohmand; (iii) Dr Amar Muhammed; (iv) Sultan Ali Chaudhry; (v) Zafar Iqbal; (vi) Abdul Wajid Arain; (vii) Yaqoob Verdag; (viii) Dr Khalid Ahmad Khokhar; (ix) Muhammad Nawaz Shah; (x) Additional Secretary Finance(Internal Finance); and (xi) Additional Secretary M/s Food and Agriculture.
ZTBL''''s Board was reconstituted by the then Finance Minister Salim Mandviwala in the dying days of the PPP government. It was notified on March 16, 2013 and comprised of: (i) Salman Younis (Chairman); (ii) Ihsan-ul- Haq President; (iii) Zaka Ashraf (former President); (iv )Abdul Wajid Arain; (v) Taimur Jamote; (vi) Ijaz Nabi Shah; (vii) Dr Khalid Ahmad Khokhar; (viii) Yaqoob Verdag; (ix) Muhammad Nawaz Shah; (x) Iftikhar Mohmand; and (xi) Additional Secretary (Internal Finance) Ministry of Finance.
The three new directors, ie Salman Younis, Taimor Jamote and Ijaz Nabi Shah replaced Dr Amir Muhammad, Sultan Ali Chaudhry and Zafar Iqal-all three belong to the Gujjar tribe along with Zaka Ashraf.
Analysts maintain that the notification dated March 16, 2013 which adds three new members is limited for three years and appointment of Salman Younis as chairman is against the rules as the Chairman can only be appointed by the ZTBL Board and not the Finance Ministry.
Meanwhile, Muhamamd Munir Mani, Secretary General All Pakistan Peoples Unit of ZTBL) and Muhammad Yaqun Rai, General Secretary, All Pakistan Officers Association, ZTBL, filed a petition in Islamabad High Court(IHC) against appointment of the three new Directors. The apex court on March 26, 2013 issued a stay order against the newly notified three Board members.
On November 22, 2013, four members of the Board, ie Dr Amar Muhammed, Yaqoob Verdag, Zafar Iqbal and Zaka Ashraf held a meeting at a local hotel in Islamabad. The location was violative of the IHC direction to hold the Board''''s meeting on the premises of ZTBL, said a source on condition of anonymity.
Three directors Muhammad Nawaz Shah, Dr Khalid Khokhar and Wajid Arain did not attend the meeting; and neither did ZTBL President, Secretary, Additional Secretary (IF) MoF and Additional Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research attend the meeting.
However, in the said Board meeting it was observed that due to a lack of assistance in holding the Board meeting by the President of the Bank and Company Secretary of the Board, various important functions of the Bank have suffered. One such event is non approval of the financial accounts for the period ended June, 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013 despite SBP confirmation that under section 177 of the Companies Ordinance 1984 the present Board should be convened for this purpose; in addition a very important document relating to Risk Assessment of the Bank (IRAF) which is mandatory to be sent to SBP by August 14 of every year has also not been complied with.
Similarly SECP requirements have been violated. It was further noted that the manpower budget for 2013 has not been approved by the Board.
When contacted a senior official of Finance Ministry told Business Recorder that ZTBL''''s Board does not exist and expressed ignorance of any meeting held in a local hotel.
"We have obtained permission from the Prime Minister to reconstitute ZTBL Board and this position has been intimated to the SBP accordingly," he added.

News Source: Business Recorder  News collected: agrinfobank.com Team

KBP welcomes formation of agriculture advisory council

Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP) has welcomed Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif'sNawaz Sharif's decision to form agricultural development advisory council and give incentives to agriculture sector so that it could play its pivotal role for economic, social and political stability in the country.
Addressing a meeting of the farmers' organisation here on Sunday, central president of KBP Sardar Zafar Hussain Khan said that the real representatives of the forming community should be included in the council in order to make it a worthwhile and result-oriented institution.
He said the government must realise that it is the agriculture sector that is backbone of the economy, provides food security to the nation and major source of raw material for textile, tannery, cottage industries and SMEs. He regretted that the farmers are agitating for not getting proper prices of their produce and hard work and are being forced to pay inflated electricity bills, high prices of fertilisers, pesticides and other agriculture inputs that have unbearably increased cost of production, Sugar mills are also blackmailing and fleecing the growers by not starting the crushing season on time and forcing them to sell their commodity at throw away prices, he added.
Zafar assured that the farmers can bring about a real economic revolution if they were given incentives and financially viable prices of their commodities keeping in view the cost of production. There is a vast scope to increase per yield of various crops provided farmers were given necessary incentives, he added.
The KBP president also called upon the Prime Minister to call a meeting of the countrywide representative bodies of farmers as in case of trading community and industrialists to have their input for quantum jump in the agriculture production.
KBP office bearers Sarfraz Ahmad Khan, Chaudhry Manzoor Gujjar, Haji Mohammad Ramzan, Chaudhry Noor Elahi Tatla, Dr Mohammad Nawaz Cheena, Dr Abdul Jabbar and Malik, Fiazul Hassan Bhutta also attended the meeting.

News Source: Business Recorder  News collected: agrinfobank.com Team

Iranian ban on Pakistani kinnow may inflict $40 million loss

The ban imposed by Iran on the import of Pakistani Kinnow two years back, if not lifted immediately, may inflict a loss of $40 million in terms of revenue, according to All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) spokesman, Waheed Ahmed. Prior to the closure of Iranian market, Pakistan used to export 70 to 80 thousand tons of Kinnow to that country every year.
About the ban imposed by Russia on the import of fruits and vegetable from Pakistan, he said, hopefully it would be lifted by December 10. Negotiations in this regard are in advanced stage both at government and PFVA level and a decision in favour of Pakistan is likely to be taken soon, he added.
Pakistan exported 80 to 90 thousand tons of Kinnow worth around 56 million dollars until last year when suddenly Russian government announced a ban a few months back on the ground that the fruit did not meet the sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements. A Russian delegation is likely to visit Pakistan in January next to examine as to how far quarantine requirements are being adhered to here so that export of 'Aaloo' from Pakistan could be allowed. The country could fetch a handsome amount of foreign exchange in case exports of 'Aaloo' are allowed by Russia, he said.
Waheed Ahmed said that PFVA has set 300,000 tones export target for Kinnow this year. The association had exported at least 235,000 tones Kinnow worth $140 million last year against the fixed target of 200,000 tones. He said that export of Kinnow will start by December 1. Production of the fruit is expected to be 2,100,000 tones this year against the previous figure of 1,800,000 tones. However the crop is likely to be damaged in some areas which may slightly affect the overall production.
Increase in the target by 100,000 tones this year has been estimated mainly because of an expected jump in exports to Russia and Indonesia. The export figure of 300,000 tonnes may even be crossed if the Iranian market is tapped followed by an expected relaxation in banking process after the improving relations between Iran and the US. He said that Pakistan would earn at least $180 million revenue if the targeted export of 300,000 tones Kinnow is met this year.
On the other hand, Waheed feared, the cost of exports is expected to increase by 15 to 20 percent due to hike in petroleum prices, impacting on the cost of transportation, logistic, packaging, labour and products. This would also create a stiff competition with rival countries producing the same fruit, in the international market. It was encouraging; he said that after signing preferential trade agreement with Indonesia, exports are expected to take a jump this year as it is a market of 40,000 tones after Russia and Iran.
Waheed has however linked the export target with favourable law and order situation in the country and close co-operation among exporters, shipping companies, quarantine department, customs and other concerned government organisations. Exports had suffered huge losses due to long strikes of goods transporters.

News Source: Business Recorder    News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team

Prices of flour, pulses, spices on the rise

Though prices of some vegetables decreased during the week past as compared to the preceding week, rates of flour, pulses, spices and rice registered a significant increase, reveals a survey carried out by Business Recorder here on Saturday. Traders and wholesalers in different markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad revealed that due to sufficient supply, the demand-supply gap narrowed which resulted in easing vegetables prices.
They further maintained that pulses prices registered a significant increase during the week past. Price of entire range of pulses including mash washed moong, masoor and beans has gone up by Rs 8-10 per kg. Further shortage of flour was observed in some markets of the twin cities, it was being sold at Rs 830 per 20 kg bag against the government fixed price of Rs 790, wherever it was available. Similarly, rice prices each of Basmati and Supper colonel increased by Rs 5-10 respectively the week past as compared to the preceding week. The survey noted a significant decline in vegetables prices past week as compared to the previous week. Tomatoes, which were being sold at Rs 150-180 per kg one week ago was now available at Rs 110-120 per kg, onions was available at Rs 75-80 per kg against Rs 90-100 per kg, potatoes at Rs 60-70 per kg against Rs 90-100 per kg, cabbage at Rs 60 per kg against Rs 90 per kg, peas at Rs 150 per kg against Rs 160 per kg, carrot at Rs 120 per kg against Rs 150 per kg, radish at Rs 70-80 per kg against Rs 100 per kg, arvi at Rs 60 per kg against Rs 70 per kg, cucumber at Rs 60 per kg against Rs 65-70 per kg, ladyfinger at Rs 120 per kg against Rs 130-150 per kg and shimla mirch was being sold at Rs 150 per kg against Rs 180 per kg during the week past as compared to the preceding week.
Eggs were being sold at Rs 120 per dozen against Rs 150 per dozen, reflecting a decline of Rs 30 per dozen during the week past as compared to the preceding week. Further chicken was available at Rs 150-160 per kg in different markets against Rs 170-180 per kg. Sugar, gur and ghee/cocking oil prices remained stable in the week past as compared to the preceding week.
The survey noted a mix trend in fruit prices as some prices increased while other registered a slight decline during the week past as compared to the preceding week. Apple was available at 120-180 against Rs 130-200 per kg depending on quality, banana prices registered increase as it was being sold at Rs 60-120 per dozen against Rs 50-100 per dozen, grapes were available at Rs 200-300 per kg and guava at Rs 60-80 per kg last week without any significant change as compared to the preceding week.

News Source: Business Recorder    News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team

Temporary move: Russia lifts ban on kinnow imports

Russia – one of the biggest markets for Pakistani kinnow – temporarily lifted the ban from Pakistani Kinnow imports for this season, fruit exporters said.

The Russian government imposed the ban on Pakistani agriculture imports a couple of months ago over concerns of fruit and vegetable diseases. The removal of the ban is the result of an extensive talk between the two governments. Nevertheless, the restriction on import of potato from Pakistan would remain intact until the phyto-sanitary issues are resolved.

The Russian team will visit Pakistan in January 2014 to inspect the facilities and quarantine methods and practices. The team will see safety measures in place for diseases in the country. Exporters say Pakistan may lose the major market if Russian market is not open this season.

News Source: Tribune    News Collected: agrinfobak.com Team

Kinnow: Pakistan may lose Russian market

Pakistan may lose one of its most profitable Kinnow markets, Russian market, and suffer heavily in case Russian government does not rescind its decision by December 1, banning import of fruits and vegetables from Pakistan. The ban was imposed by Russian government a few months back as the quality of fruits and vegetables did not meet the laid down sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) conditions.
According to fruit and vegetable exporters, Pakistan's department of plant protection should immediately lay down its quarantine policy in consultation with Russian authorities so that the quality of horticulture products could be improved.
The ban would impact on the export of around 50,000 ton Kinnow if the same is not lifted as the season has started and exporters are getting ready to ship the fruit to various markets.
They said that Russia is a good market for Pakistan's fruits and vegetables, particularly Kinnow but in order to increase the volumes, they need to reduce the trust deficit and establish banking channels between the two countries.
Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of National Food and Security must take cognisance of this alarming situation and raise the issue at diplomatic level as the ban may cause colossal loss to country's economy at this crucial juncture, they said.
A bumper Kinnow crop is expected during 2013-2014 and according to preliminary estimates the production might touch 2.1 to 2.3 million ton.
This year Kinnow will be shipped to Indonesia at zero percent duty as Indonesian government has allowed Pakistani Kinnow to be shipped to Tanjung port, Jakarta. The activation of PTA followed the signing of a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on plant quarantine and sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures between Pakistan and Indonesia wherein Indonesia officially acknowledged Pakistan as pest-free area for Kinnow.
Ministry of Commerce may initiate kinnow export agreement at zero percent duty with Thailand following the visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Talking to Business Recorder, acting CEO of Harvest Trading, Azam Ishaque said currently Thai market is not open for Pakistani fruits but due to our geo-economic position Kinnow may easily serve the consumption volumes in ASEAN region.
Thailand is a trading nation and the exchange of business delegations could be a better option for exploring areas of common interest. Thailand has recently been recognised as the `world kitchen' owing to the plenty of food resources as well as the continuous success in development in food industry. Pakistan could benefit from Thailand in processing of food to increase the shelf life of fruits and vegetables to curtail post harvest losses.
In this regard, Azam Ishaque suggested that both countries may set-up a joint committee on agriculture and share the concepts of modern technologies in agricultural systems for the improvement of agricultural productions such as crop yield, livestock production, aquaculture production and sustainable agriculture.

News Source: Business Recorder                                                                                         News Collected: agrinfobank.com Team