“The agricultural sector is vital for growth”

The agricultural sector is vital for the country’s economic growth, food security, job creation and poverty reduction, especially for the rural population, said Minister of National Food Security and Research Fakhar Imam .

Speaking at the signing ceremony for the protocol for the export of onions from Pakistan to China at the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), he said the current government is prioritizing the growth of the agricultural sector on a sustainable basis.

The agreement was signed by Imam and Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong.

The Imam added that appropriate policies are being implemented to achieve the desired results.

Pakistan, with 138,000 hectares of area cultivated with onions and an output of 1.8 million tonnes, ranks sixth and ninth in both area and onion production, respectively, he said. In addition, Pakistan contributed 1.9% to global onion production, Imam said.

The minister said Pakistan was exporting rice, mangoes and citrus fruits to China after complying with Beijing’s phytosanitary import requirements.

The snap protocol would also raise awareness among Pakistani onion producers about quarantine and phytosanitary compliance.

Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong hoped the protocol would open new doors for Pakistani products to reach Chinese markets.

“China and Pakistan are complementary,” he said. “China is already supporting Pakistan in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease, the production of peppers, potatoes, beef and mutton. “

CPEC would further strengthen trade ties, he said.

It was reaffirmed that initiatives such as the protocol for the export of onions from Pakistan to China would further strengthen the ties between the two countries.

Posted in The Express Tribune, November 24^e, 2021.

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