Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) demanded the special incentives for horticulture sector of Gilgit-Baltistan in upcoming budget. The demand was made by Chairman Regional Standing Committee, FPCCI Ahmad Jawad while speaking to the members of a delegation of growers from Gilgit-Baltistan here on Tuesday.
Jawad said that horticulture sector of GB have a huge export potential but the region lacks the latest technology to switch from subsistence to commercial farming which needs special incentives in the upcoming budget for exports. "We could earn billions of rupees through fruit exports from GB if federal government will assist and also started daily cargo flights which the PM promised with the people of GB in its two recent visits, he added.
Jawad said Pakistan is the sixth largest apricot producer in the world but its share in the fruit's export market is negligible. The Dry Fruit Project of Aga Khan Rural Support Programme had recognised market potentials for GB's dry apricot, apple and mulberry in the UK. While unprocessed apricots are bought at Rs 6-7 per kg, foreign buyers purchase processed apricots at Rs 300 to 500 per kg, and it also helps to increase our horticulture export share globally which is currently at the merge of only 0.3 percent approximately," he added.
Around 16-57 percent fresh fruit is wasted annually in GB due to traditional fruit cultivars, most food processing units are small, lack vital market linkages and can process only a fraction of the total produce simultaneously. FPCCI committee chairman said the extension departments must be geared for technology transfer, farmer training, technical advice and supply of crop inputs, and to adopt modern service delivery methods. The number of registered seed producers to multiply and market seeds is insufficient, he added.
Thus, ample water, naturally well-drained soils, conditions favourable to organic farming, feasibility of commercial production of cross pollinated seeds, proximity to export markets (China and Central Asia) particularly, are competitive advantages of horticulture industry, but there is also need to expand other crop varieties in GB to ensure food security and produce export surpluses, he mentioned.
FPCCI standing committee chairman advised to the government that concise policy to improve the potential of this industry is required for enhancing R&D capacity as well as produce pre-basic and basic seeds on commercial scale, synchronising extension services of provincial agriculture departments and the private sector including prioritising construction and maintenance of Tajikistan Road and setting up of functional and equipped processing units in all seven districts for value addition.