A delegation of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Thursday visited the Rice Exporter Association of Pakistan (Reap) office and discussed various issues related to rice trade. The delegation comprising Joseph M Carroll, Counsellor for Agriculture for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
USDA Foreign Agriculture Service, Asmat Raza Senior Agriculture Specialist and M Shafiq-ur-Rehman Agriculture Specialist, USDA assured the rice exporters for their full co-operation to promote Pakistani rice trade.
The Reap members briefed the visiting delegation of USDA about the rice crop and raised various issues regarding trade of this commodity. They informed the delegation about the clearance problems of Pakistani rice at US ports and demanded that the shipments of this commodity should be cleared on urgent basis on the US ports. They requested the US delegation for their co-operation in the marketing and sales of Pakistani Basmati rice variety.
They suggested a close co-ordination between the US Rice and Grain Board and Reap for sharing information about farm techniques, international group pricing and international market report. The US department should provide weather forecast report on regular basis so that the local farmers could get ready to face the relative issues.
The Reap members also discussed the issue of grain storage silos and sought help from US department to establish storage facility for paddy, rice and wheat. The Reap members also sought information about the US rice machinery suppliers.
They also draw the attention of US delegation on the issue of geographical indication between Pakistan and India and said that Pakistani rice traders expect that the US government will not oppose their point of view in this issue. The delegation assured the Reap members that the USDA will provide all possible support.
Abdul Samad Khan, CEO of Engro Eximp said that income generating projects could be launched for farmers and all other stakeholders, if USDA and USAID are ready to work together to promote trade of Pakistani rice.
Speaking on this occasion, Chairman Reap Abdul Rahim Janoo highlighted the contribution of Reap in promotion of Pakistani rice in the international markets. He told the delegation that Reap organises ''Export Trophy Award'' and invited the US delegation to attend the event. A number of leading rice exporters and Reap members were present on this occasion.