August 11, 2006	Friday	Rajab 15, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 10: Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan has said the liberalisation and privatization of agricultural trade has created space for private sector to manage bulk grain storage infrastructure and logistics.

He was speaking at a project launching ceremony for establishing large bulk storage and movement of grains infrastructure through direct foreign investment by a UK-based company here on Thursday. The minister said buyers and sellers were now free to operate anywhere in the world. This transformation shall require information and skills from experienced grain storage and logistics companies.

He highlighted the importance of grain storage as part of post-harvest management including marketing, distribution and food security systems in Pakistan.

Since the grains are harvested in particular season during short duration of four to six weeks, large quantities pile up in open areas leading to fast deterioration of quality and occurrence of losses. The consumption was uniform throughout the year, necessitating appropriate storage and gradual release, he added.

Peter Bonisch, director of the company, highlighted the grain storage potential in Pakistan and decision of his company to invest in large scale grain storage and movement infrastructure in order to improve the comparative advantage of agricultural production in Pakistan.

Farhatullah Khan, the representative of farmers, welcomed the investment plans of the UK company and expressed the hope that 25 per cent of the grain lost after harvest could be saved.