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Rice cultivation area declines
KARACHI, April 14: Shams-ul-Islam - a leading rice
exporter - in a letter to the federal government
has pointed out that the land under cultivation of
cheap varieties of rice, both in Punjab (for
basmati PK-385) and in Sindh and Balochistan
(Irri-6) is rapidly decreasing - a negative signal
for the export of rice.
To maintain the current level of exports, the
government must not only develop new varieties of
rice but also revive old varieties like kernal
basmati, basmati PK-370 and sukdasi, which have
been famous for their unique taste and aroma, he
said.
Besides, properties of existing seed varieties of
basmati PK-385 and Irri-6 must be improved so that
the country could achieve the $1 billion export
target, Shams said.
Pakistan exports almost 2 million tonnes of rice
including 0.8 million tonnes of basmati and 1.2
million tonnes of coarse varieties together with
Irri-6 rice. The major chunk of rice exports has
always been dependent upon low price varieties of
Irri-6 rice and PK-385, he mentioned, elaborating
that this means that the major users of Pakistani
rice are middle and lower class consumers across
the globe.
Shams claimed that despite a fall in the export of
rice - in pure quantitative terms -no exercise for
investigating the reasons behind this downfall has
ever been conducted.
Since the past few years, shortage of water has
become an everyday dilemma but no solution has
been found as yet. Once again, there is news of
shortage of water for the Kharif season. It is
alarming that ultimately Sindh’s Irri-6 rice
variety will be harvested shortly, Shams said in
his letter.
Before the situation worsens, the government
should chalk out a plan, focusing not only on
ensuring scientific and timely distribution of
water but also making sure that pure seeds and
non-adulterated pesticides are supplied to the
farmers, he urged. The government should realise
that the world has become a global village and
cutthroat competition and restrictions imposed by
developed countries will let only the most
competitive survive, Shams said.
The News International, Pakistan
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Pakissan.com; Advisory Point
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