LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed said on Monday that Indian goods were banned in Europe, America, Russia and many countries of the world but Pakistani food commodities were welcomed all over the world due to its best quality.
Talking to media here, the provincial minister said that Punjab had bumper potato crop this year and the provincial government decided to make arrangements for its export at large scale.
The agriculture department with the cooperation of federal government, contacted the farmers and exporters who responded positively.
“Our farmer is devoted and hard working and we are trying to create an environment where they may earn good profits,” he said.
Dr. Farrukh Javed said that during last three months, the Punjab government had exported 120,000 metric tonnes of potatoes to Russia, Sri-Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Somali, Singapore and Maldives.
According to the details, 34483 metric Ton potatoes were exported to UAE, 41283 to Sri Lanka, 11231 to Malaysia, 2977 to Qatar, 18637 to Bahrain, 6989 to Oman, 1045 to Kuwait, 191 to Maldives, 492 to Singapore, 875 to Russia and 59 metric tons to Somalia.
He said that there was no duty on the export of potatoes and the government was facilitating the exporters.
He said that potato had been cultivated over 400,000 acres of land this year which was 3.5 per cent higher than the last year.
Keeping in view, the average production of last five years at 3.36 million tons (95 percent) in Punjab, there would be still a surplus of at least 0.3 million tons minimum in Punjab which should be exported.
“Our prime objective is that the growers get maximum benefit of their hard work and a better price can be offered to them,” he said.
He said that farmers were getting direct benefit from potatoes export and the government would continue to export surplus crop.
He said that government of the Punjab was spending billions of rupees on several projects related to agriculture for the benefit of the farming community.
