RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Food Security and Research Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah said on Tuesday that the export of chilies would not witness any substantial increase without providing quality seeds to the growers.

He express these views speaking at an awareness seminar on potential of export of chilies organized by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) in collaboration with Sindh Agricultural Growth Project (SAGP), here at a hotel.

“You cannot fight in global competitive market until you facilitate your growers,” he said adding that the best quality treated seeds would help improve the productivity and that would engender a significant increase in the export volume.

He said a multi-million chili drying plant was setup in Kunri area of Sindh some years ago, but it remained dysfunctional due to negligence of relevant authorities. However, he expressed hope the plant would become operational by the end of this month as work in this facility was underway.

“Chili is an important agricultural product of Pakistan with around 200,000 tons estimated annual cultivation but unfortunately its export decreased by 35 percent after Aflatoxin and micro-toxin hit the commodity,” lamented Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Federal Minister for Food Security and Research, speaking as a chief guest at the seminar.

He further said that trade of chili played an important role in the local economy. He said Pakistan was among the top 5 producers of chili in the world, and one of the eminent exporters of chilies.

“According to an estimate, Pakistan has a potential to export 90,000 ton of chilies per year, which will help bring the country much-needed foreign exchange amounting to $ 47 million per annum,” he said.

Bosan said aflatoxin attack could be overcome by proper picking and handling practices, necessary improvement in traditional sun-drying practices, introduction of commercial scale mechanical dryer, isolation of old and new chilies and proper grading and storage.

S.M Munir, chief executive TDAP in his welcome address said the objective of the event was to create awareness about potential of export of chilies among growers/exporters.

He said that Pakistan earned $ 4.7 million in 2014-15 through export of chilies (powder/whole) to the world. He said the top importing counties of chilies in the world were: USA, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Malaysia and some Middle Eastern countries and Pakistan’s major exports of chilies were also aimed to reach Saudi Arabia, UAE, Mexico, USA, Kuwait etc.

“Top exporter of chilies in the world is India with market share of 36 percent, then comes China with 11percent, Bangladesh 8 percent, Peru 8 percent and others 31percent while Pakistan has 6 percent market share,” he said.

In FY 2015-16 Munir said the authority organized as many as 25 exhibitions relating to agro-food in different countries. He urged the growers to participate in such exhibitions and help the country to enhance its export market share. He also asked the growers to put forward their proposals regarding how the authority can assist them in promoting business.

“We have got some rupees 28 billion export development fund (EDF) at the ministry of commerce. The same can be utilized for purchase of export-oriented machinery to growers, he assured.

Other speakers at the seminar emphasized that adopting modern techniques of growing chilies would help increase the quality of chilies enabling them to export more chilies.

Growers from Kunri and other chilies growing areas of Sindh and exporters of red chilies attended the seminar.